Late goal gives RFC & CRFC Youths thrilling win

Drombane was the venue for this Premier Division Youths league game between the Clodiagh Rangers & Rearcross FC combination and Killavilla United with the Slieve Felim combo coming out on the right side of a nine-goal thriller.
The opening exchanges were evenly contested, however Max Carroll set the hosts on their way in the 9th minute with a well taken goal. The Roscrea outfit got on top after this and took the lead with goals from Junior Ogbebor Egharevba and Eoghan McLoughlin. The combo team picked it up again and pegged it back level before half time through Hugh Purcell.
The second half was end to end again as Killavilla went back in front with a second strike from Junior Ogbebor Egharevba. The home side turned in a resilient performance throughout and pulled it back level again when Leo Ryan headed to the net after getting on the end of a Paddy Ryan corner kick. James Butler put the home team 4-3 ahead eight minutes from time courtesy of a Jack Brett pass. Killavilla kept the pressure on as Eoghan McLoughlin squared it up at 4-4 with two minutes to play. However, a dramatic finale saw the Rearcross & Clodiagh Rangers side take maximum points when a Paddy Ryan delivery found Hugh Purcell at the back post who headed back to Luke Carroll, the resulting effort was saved but the rebound fell to Leo Ryan who banged home the all-important goal. In truth, Killavilla will feel they deserved something from the game after playing nice football, however the Rearcross / Clodiagh Rangers side were missing a number of regulars but had fine contributions from U-16 players Oisin Reynolds and Colm Hickey who made their Youths football debuts on the day.

Clodiagh Rangers / Rearcross Youths Panel: Jack Brett, Conor Brett, Leo Ryan, Max Carroll, Luke Carroll, Larry Collins, Patrick Ryan, Hugh Purcell, Timmy Costello, James Butler, Taylor Light, Aaron Quinlan, Oisin Reynolds, Colm Hickey.

Killavilla United Panel: Killian Spencer, Jayden Williams, Eoin Ryan, Matthew Moore, Killian Fitzpatrick, Jack Moloney, Ruramai Benjamin Hayatitye, Junior Ogbebor Egharevba, Eoghan McLoughlin, Ben Buckley, Keelan Ryan, Jakub Noj

Referee: David Butler

Leo Ryan nets the all important goal for Clodiagh Rangers / Rearcross Youths

Report by Paul Carey