*Dara Ryan.
TULLA UTD need to make a statement as a junior soccer side by claiming victory in the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup final on Saturday, captain Dara Ryan insisted.
Twenty one year old Dara has been lining out with Tulla’s junior soccer side for the past four years.
Now in his third year of studies at Mary Immaculate College to become a primary school teacher, he has said there is not extra duties to his role as captain. “All the lads drive it on, its not too much of a burden as all the lads drive it on”.
Reflecting on his four years in defence for Tulla’s first team, he recalled, “the first year we were promoted to the Premier Division, the second year we stayed up which was the main goal, last year was disappointing but we still progressed, this year has been much better”.
Dara didn’t have to think long when speaking to The Clare Echo about what has led to their improvement. “A massive buy in. We sat down at the end of last year, a few changes were made. Our performances weee good last year but we were not getting the results, we said we didn’t want to be the team playing well and not getting the results.
“Our home form has been a big plus this year, we have beaten most teams at home, we drew with Newmarket at the start of the season, we were five minutes away from winning that game. In the semi-final two years ago against Lifford, we came up short, we probably left it behind us that day, it went to extra time and penalties, Daragh Corry was injured that time, the young lads have matured”.
They have a stronger squad this season, Ryan believed. “It’s all about the squad, a couple of lads were unlucky in 2022, huge credit is due to the young lads that came on in the semi-final, Bridge Utd are a great side, they are very strong, we were delighted to get over the line”.
Helping their cause according to Dara is the amount of homegrown talent within their ranks. “Most of the lads here are Tulla through and through, they are here since they were five or six years of age, there is a great buzz around the place, the youths are having a great run, the under 14 girls are in the national cup semi-final. The club is really moving in the right direction”.
“We need to make a statement as a junior team. We’re fifty five years as a club, here since 1970 and we’ve never been in a cup final before let alone win the cup. It’s top of the agenda now, the facilities here are great and we’d love to add more silverware”.
