Rearcross Youths luckless to lose by the odd goal in five

Rearcross Youths welcomed Moneygall FC Youths to Rearcross FC Grounds for this floodlit league fixture on Saturday evening and were luckless to lose out by the odd goal in five after Moneygall converted from the spot with five minutes remaining. The hosts made the brighter start to this tie when a flowing move involving Cathal Ryan, Patrick Ryan and Aaron Quinlan saw the latter pull a fine save out of A O’Meara in the Moneygall goal. Rearcross took the lead on 9 minutes when Cathal Ryan turned provider to Jack Nolan who drilled to the corner of the net from the edge of the box. Moneygall levelled matters when Conor Nolan found the target. Rearcross re-grouped and were back in front in the 18th minute when Patrick Ryan’s free kick was floated in to the danger area where Luke Carroll finished to the net. The visitors enjoyed a spell of dominance and it took some fine goalkeeping from Colm Hickey to keep the scoreline intact, coupled with some great defensive play from Colin O’Meara, Luke Carroll and Conor Carr. Moneygall eventually got in for the equalizer on the half hour mark thanks to a neat finish from Lucian Buga.
Rearcross dug deep again in the second half with a Patrick Ryan free kick just over the bar and then Cathal Ryan was unlucky following a clinical through ball by Liam Brett. Rea kept the pressure on as Aaron Quinlan set Jack Nolan through who was luckless to see his effort finish in the side netting. James Costello added new impetus when introduced as the Slieve Felim side pushed for the winner but were dealt a succour blow when Jayden Coughlan scored the winner from the spot late on to secure maximum points. Rearcross surely deserved something from this encounter after turning in a sterling performance and will regroup for their home game against Ballymackey FC next weekend.

Rearcross Youths: Colm Hickey, Colin O’Meara, Liam Brett, Conor Carr, Luke Carroll, Ryan Amodeo, Seanie Quinlan, Aaron Quinlan, Patrick Ryan, Cathal Ryan (Capt), Jack Nolan
Subs: Dylan Hyde, James Costello, Josh Cleary, Oisin Reynolds, Jonathan Dawson

Moneygall FC Youths: A O’Meara, R Gleeson (Capt), A Clifford, J Carmody, C Donelan Houlihan, O Maxwell, C Whelan, J Coughlan, L Buga, C Nolan, J Kennedy
Subs: C O’Mahony Brozio, J Ryan, T Greed, X Hickey, C Franks

Referee: Rory Kennedy

Report by Liam Nolan(B)