Two nil win for Rearcross Youths

Rearcross made it back-to-back wins with a hard earned 2 nil victory over Cloughjordan at Rearcross FC Grounds on Saturday afternoon. Indeed, the scoreboard would have read differently only for an outstanding display of goalkeeping by respective keepers. The opening exchanges of the tie were tame enough with chances far and few between, Luke Carroll had a fine outing for the home side and headed clear from a corner kick nine minutes in and then Padraig Griffin drilled just wide 2 minutes later. Visiting custodian John Naughnane made a string of saves throughout, the first coming from the boot of Aaron Quinlan in the 12^th minute. Luke Carroll read well with a headed touch to get the ball away from the danger zone four minutes later. Max Carroll was in the action midway through the half with a spectacular overhead bicycle kick, the effort was on target but John Naughnane gathered on the line. The visiting keeper made a superb save from James Butler who looked to have prodded home but for a split-second reaction. Brian Hammersley not to be outdone did well to parry from C Tanner’s free kick with five minutes remaining in the half. James Butler went on a mazy run down the right-wing minutes later before splaying a splendid delivery across the box before the Cloughjordan defence re-grouped to clear.
The Rea boys upped the ante in the 2^nd half winning four corners on the trot with John Naughnane saving the latter under the crossbar. The breakthrough came in the 57^th minute when James Butler’s shot was saved at the expense of a corner kick, the ball broke from the resulting delivery as Aaron Quinlan set Callum Wallace through on goal who poked the ball to the corner of the net from close range. The Cloughjordan shot stopper was in the action again with a fine save to turn James Butlers pile driver from a tight angle out for a corner kick. Rearcross doubled their tally when Liam Crump broke through the centre following a Callum Wallace assist to slip the ball home with a deft touch. Cloughjordan came back at Rea after this but Rearcross keeper Brian Hammersley reacted to race off his line and did enough to force the ball wide, the Coonmore keeper was in the action again on 68 minutes with a fingertip save to put the ball out for a corner kick. It was end to end as John Naughnane robbed James Butler again with a fine save and followed up again seconds later with a reflex foot block. Brian Hammersley produced his best of the day with a superb save from A Ryan two minutes from time before Patrick Ryan let fly with a good effort in the dying seconds, which wasn’t far over the Cloughjordan crossbar, but Rearcross had already done enough to seal maximum points on this occasion.

Rearcross FC would like to extend our deepest condolences to Mel Sheridan and his family on the sad loss of his Mam Helen, may she rest in peace.

Thanks to Rearcross Minibus Hire for sponsoring a new set of jerseys for Rearcross Youths and to Premier Parlour Paints for sponsoring togs and socks

Rearcross Youths: Brian Hammersley, Patrick Kennedy, Liam Crump, Callum Wallace, Luke Carroll, Max Carroll, Larry Collins, Taylor Light, Padraig Griffin, Aaron Quinlan, James Butler
Subs: Jack Brett for Patrick Kennedy, Patrick Ryan for Aaron Quinlan, Mel Sheridan for Taylor Light

Cloughjordan Youths: J Naughnane, M Quinlisk, C Kennedy, A Coughlan, S O’Brien, C Kennedy, C England, A Ryan, J Carroll, C Tanner, T O’Meara
Sub: D O’Meara

Referee: John Hayes

Photos courtesy of John Collins
Report by Ger Kennedy