Comprehensive Cup win for Rearcross Youths

Rearcross Youths faced Ballymackey Youths in the quarter final of the U-18 Tipperary Cup at Rearcross FC Grounds on Saturday afternoon and emerged comprehensive winners in the end after a somewhat slow start to the encounter. The first real chance of the game came in the 14^th minute when Sean Griffin broke through the centre but Ballymackey custodian Paraic Bergin reacted well to deny the opportunity. Rearcross were enjoying the better of the early exchanges as Taylor Light combined with Sean Griffin who struck the side netting. The woodwork denied the hosts on 18 minutes when Luke Carroll got on the end of a corner kick, but the glancing header clipped the upright. The turning point came when Ballymackey keeper Paraic Bergin had to depart the fray following an injury, this swung the tie in favour of the Slieve Felim side but not before the visitors came close with a good effort on 31 minutes which was gathered by Brian Hammersley. And then Brian Hammersley produced a fine save a minute later after reacting superbly to deny C Murray’s high lob. Ballymackey stayed on the front foot and came close again with a free kick effort from Jack Doran but the Rea custodian was equal to the effort. Rearcross hit the front on 43 minutes when Larry Collin’s speculative effort deceived the stand in keeper. The Ballinree side were denied an equalizer just before the break when C McGuigan’s long range effort was on target, but Brian Hammersley did well to block under the crossbar.
The Rearcross Quarries sponsored side got the best possible start to the 2^nd half when Taylor Light did brilliantly on the left inside the first minute before sending and inch perfect cross to Sean Griffin who flicked home from close range. Taylor Light was in the action again moments later with another smashing pass to send James Butler through on goal but the effort pulled just left of the upright. The visiting side were still in the game at this stage and Brian Hammersley had to be sharp to save from a Seamus Connolly free kick in the 53^rd minute.  Ballymackey Youths were left with an uphill battle after Seamus Connolly went of injured with 32 minutes remaining in the tie leaving the visitors with just 10 men. James Butler had the ball in the net after getting on the end of a Callum Wallace free kick but play was called back for offside. D Carr made a fine save from Larry Collins at the expense of a corner kick on 69 minutes, but Rea were ratcheting up the pressure at this stage and increased their advantage to 3 nil when Larry Collins released James Butler who sent a low pile driver to the back of the net. Larry Collins nabbed his second of the outing sixteen minutes from time with a low strike from the edge of the box. James Butler made it 5-0 after nicking the ball from the keeper before sliding the ball to corner of the net from the tightest of angles. Credit to a Ballymackey side that didn’t throw in the towel and pulled a goal back in the 81^st minute when Jack Doran’s free kick squirmed over the line and then seconds later, a long-range effort wasn’t far away. Brian Hammersley had to race of his line to avert the danger four minutes from time. Rearcross ran out comfortable winners thereafter as Patrick Ryan forced a fine save out of D Carr before Callum Wallace copper fastened the win two minutes from time with a free kick from distance that went all the way to the roof of the net.

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

Ballymackey Youths: P Bergin, C McGuigan, D Hartnett, S Connolly, R Mandrila, D O’Brien, C Ryan, J Hogan, C Murray, J Doran, P Kennedy,
Sub: D Carr for P Bergin (injured)

Referee: TP Sullivan