Brilliant win for Rearcross U-16 Boys following penalty shootout

Ardcroney were the visitors to Rearcross FC Grounds on Tuesday evening for this game against Rearcross U-16 Boys. Early dominance by the Rearcross midfield had Ardcroney back peddling and the hosts were unlucky not to go 1 up when Jonathan Dawson saw an effort hit the butt of the post and go wide. Leo Armstrong was in a good position to collect an effort by Robert Cleary moments later. Matthew Ryan was next to try his luck but his effort pulled just wide. The pressure paid off as Jonathan Dawson scored the opener after being put through by Darragh Reynolds. The Slieve Felim side kept pressing as Darragh Reynolds saw an effort brilliantly saved after good work by James Costello. Ardcroney drew level against the run of play when Jack O'Meara played a dangerous cross into the box which was unfortunately deflected to the net. Straight from the resulting kick-off Rearcross nearly took the lead again when James Costello played a superb ball over the top to the on rushing Darragh Reynolds, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Ronan Hayes in the Ardcroney goals. It was proving to be a luckless outing for the home team when Ardcroney scored against the run of play again, after another Jack O'Meara cross deflected over the line. Rearcross regrouped as good link up play by Ciaran McLoughlin and Jonathan Dawson saw the latter play in Darragh Reynolds and his effort was just about stopped on the line by the away keeper. A Conor Nolan effort was kept out by Ronan Hayes as the ball fell to Darragh Reynolds which was just about kept out by the Ardcroney defence, James Costello followed through but his effort was adjudged not to have crossed the line in full. Rearcross equalized shortly before half time when Jonathan Dawson converted from the spot.
Rearcross came out strong in the second half and a thunderous sliding tackle by Stephen Ryan set the tone and then Patrick Carr was luckless not to convert from a Conor Nolan cross. Patrick Carr came close again after good work by Conor Nolan out on the left flank. Rearcross were well on top at this stage as Jack Hickey played a great ball on the right which found Darragh Reynolds who cut in only to be denied the lead by Ronan Hayes in the Ardcroney goals. Conor Nolan was unlucky at the back post not to connect with a dangerous cross from Jonathan Dawson. Brilliant link-up play by Conor Nolan and Ciaran McLoughlin saw Conor Nolan play in James Costello but the effort was gathered on the line by the away keeper. Conor Nolan was again unlucky not to get on to a Darragh Reynolds cross, but kept the ball alive and played in Jonathan Dawson but the Ardcroney keeper made another fine save. Sean Guidera was unlucky with an effort that whizzed past the post, before Leo Armstrong was called into action when Jack O'Meara’s strong run through the Rearcross defence saw him unleash a shot that had the Rea keeper at full stretch to keep the ball out. Jonathon Dawson created the last chance to seal the win in normal time but was luckless to see his effort just wide of the target. The final outcome was then decided on penalties where Rearcross prevailed on a 4-3 scoreline. Jonathan Dawson, Conor Nolan, Darragh Reynolds and Ciaran McLoughlin were the Rea sharpshooters, while Jack O'Meara, Colin Gaynor and Robert Cleary converted for Ardcroney. A hard earned but fully deserved win for the home team with all players playing their hearts out on the evening, well done to all.

Rearcross U-16 Boys: Leo Armstrong, Jack Hickey, Stephen Ryan, Micheal Collins, Conor McInerney, Matthew Ryan, James Costello, Patrick Carr, Jonathan Dawson, Darragh Reynolds, Liam O'Dwyer
Subs: Conor Nolan, Paudie Clifford, Ciaran McLoughlin, Sean Guidera, Jack O'Toole

Ardcroney FC: R Hayes, M McLoughney, R McLoughney, T Teefey, S O’Meara, H Gannon, M Cleary, A Fahey, C Gaynor, J O’Meara, R Cleary
Subs: D O’Brien, J Last

Referee: TP Sullivan

Report by Shane Reynolds