RFC & CRFC Youths get back to winning ways after last weekend's setback

Rearcross / Clodiagh Rangers Youths played host to Ballymackey FC at Rearcross FC Grounds on Saturday afternoon and got back to winning ways after last weekend’s setback. The combo outfit were fast out of the traps and hit the front in the 5th minute when Sean Griffin beat two players and swung in from the end line when Hugh Purcell got above his marker with a delightful header at the back post. It was 2-0 to the hosts when James Butler sliced with perfection to the far corner after being played in by Sean Griffin. RFC & CRFC were enjoying the better of the exchanges as Paddy Ryan played a neat one-two with Larry Collins who fired on target to no avail, however Ballymackey counter attacked and it took a fine save from Jack Brett to keep the scoreline intact after being left exposed in a one-on-one situation with the visiting centre forward with fourteen minutes gone. The woodwork came to the rescue for the Ballinree side a minute later when Larry Collins took down a clearance from Jack Brett and laid off to Sean Griffin who hit the post from all of 40 yards. Ballymackey were not throwing in the towel and applied a lot of pressure, however Max Carroll won a vital header from a deep cross, the ball broke to James Butler who set up Sean Griffin to score the third off the day on the 20-minute mark. The home team came close again when a long delivery by Jack Brett set Hugh Purcell through as the effort was just inches wide of the target. The last action of the half saw Luke Carroll head on target from a Sean Griffin free kick to leave it 3-0 at the half time whistle.
The combo team made the early running after the resumption and increased their tally to four after Larry Collins set James Butler through on goals for a neat finish. Credit to Ballymackey as they upped the ante and put the defence under a lot of pressure to no avail with Jack Brett to the fore with some good handling to keep the visitors at bay. Clodiagh/Rearcross sprung the changes introducing five subs and kept the pressure on as Larry Collins netted his second of the day with a long-range effort which flew over the keeper from just inside the halfway line. It was six nil after Max Carroll set James Butler through to complete his hat-trick with aplomb. The Ballinree side kept plugging and it took a combined effort of Max Carroll and Leo Ryan to prevent the concession of a consolation goal. It was a case of the best till last when a mazy run by Larry Collins from midfield saw him weave through two defenders before slotting the ball to the back of the net to copper fasten the win. A strong all-round performance from the Slieve Felim combination side including a strong defensive display by central defenders Max Carroll and Leo Ryan who were ably supported by full backs Conor Brett and Luke Carroll, while goalkeeper Jack Brett commanded his area very well. Ballymackey moved the ball really well at times and will be disappointed with the final scoreline on the day.

Clodiagh Rangers / Rearcross Youths: Jack Brett, Conor Brett, Max Carroll, Leo Ryan, Luke Carroll, Paddy Ryan, Sean Griffin, Larry Collins, Taylor Light, James Butler, Hugh Purcell
Subs: Liam Challen, Patrick Kennedy, Cathal Ryan, Aaron Quinlan, David Griffin, Timmy Costello

Ballymackey FC: C Hassett, J Fitzpatrick, S Conway, J Hogan, M Ryan, J Healy, D Carr, C Quirke, J Kenneally, C Ryan, C Frend
Subs: J Garcia Candau, L Hackett, C Troy, S Fitzgerald, D Hartnett

Referee: Rory Kennedy

Report by Paul Carey