Rearcross U-16 Boys play out entertaining friendly against Holycross FC
Holycross win 2-1 on penalties

Rearcross U-16 Boys and Holycross FC played out an entertaining challenge match under lights last Friday evening in Rearcross. Both sides were getting to know each other in the early exchanges and it was Holycross who had the first effort on goal when Dylan Ryan saw his header from a corner go over the bar. Rearcross took the lead from the next phase of play when Matthew Ryan made a telling tackle in midfield before quickly sending the ball out to Darragh Reynolds on the left flank who played a brilliant ball to release Jonathan Dawson who struck a thunderous effort on target which was parried by Will Tuohy in the Holycross goals to the in-rushing Darragh Reynolds who dispatched to the back of the net. Rearcross were defending well and Michéal Collins was called in to action to quell a promising Holycross attack. The pressure from the visitors paid off when Gabrielle Cobo bagged an equalizer with a good finish from inside the box. Holycross nearly took the lead but Leo Armstrong in the Rea goals got down smartly to his right to deny Gabriel Cobo. The Slieve Felim side upped the ante as Jonathan Dawson’s free kick was just over. Darragh Reynolds thought he had scored his second after a brilliant delivery into the box by James Costello only for the referee to call play back for off-side. The best move of the match started when Patrick Carr collected the ball in midfield and a fine piece of skill took him away from two Holycross opponents before playing the ball out to Darragh Reynolds who linked up with Jonathan Dawson, the Holycross custodian got down to push the ball past the post for a corner kick. The resulting corner caused havoc in the Holycross goalmouth but the visiting rearguard cleared their lines. The last play of the half saw another effort from Darragh Reynolds go just wide of the post.
The second half began with incessant pressure by Rea as good combination play from Sean Guidera and Paudie Clifford put the Holycross rearguard under pressure. Jonathan Dawson tried his luck from long range but the keeper collected on the second attempt and just before Patrick Carr could pounce. It was end to end as Filip Wysocki came close for Holycross with a long-range effort and then the Holycross keeper made a superb one handed save to deny a Patrick Carr shot from the edge of the box following good play by Paudie Clifford. The Glenbane side took a 2-1 lead when Gabriel Cobo headed home at the back post. Rearcross dug deep and equalized soon after when a Jonathan Dawson free kick from just outside the box troubled the visiting keeper as Patrick Carr was quickest to react before driving between the posts to leave it all square at the fulltime whistle.
Both sides agreed to decide a winner on a penalty shootout where Holycross emerged 2-1 winners. Filip Wysocki and Albert Maher netted for Holycross while Matthew Ryan dispatched a cracking effort to the top corner for Rea. Rearcross keeper Leo Armstrong also made a fine save in the shootout, but it wasn’t enough to deny the visiting side on this occasion. Well done to both sides on a very entertaining encounter and thanks to referee Robert Mandrilla.

Rearcross U-16 Boys: Leo Armstrong, Jack Hickey, Stephen Ryan, Micheal Collins, Conor McInerney, Matthew Ryan, James Costello, Patrick Carr, Jonathan Dawson, Darragh Reynolds, Leon Wallace
Subs: Jack O'Toole, Paudie Clifford, Sean Guidera, Albert Maher

Holycross FC: Will Tuohy, Jack Harrington, Cathal O’Gorman, Filip Wysocki, John Quinlan, Stephen Dwan, Noah Walsh, Dylan Ryan, Fran Fitzpatrick, Poblo Aliverz, Gabrielle Cobo
Subs: Marc Gomez, Frederico Perez, Ross Gleeson, Albert Maher

Referee: Robert Mandrilla

Report by Shane Reynolds