*Fiachra Hale was among the Tulla Utd goal scorers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
TULLA UTD put five goals past Hermitage FC to claim their place in the quarter-finals of the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup.
Tulla Utd 5
Hermitage FC 2
Venue: TUS
Last season’s Cup finalists Tulla Utd are sitting waiting in the quarter-finals with some first and second round ties yet to be played.
Mike Moloney’s side crossed the border to Limerick and lined out in the TUS campus. The East Clare side know the importance of getting through the hectic fixture schedule, it’s another game out of the way and allows them maintain their focus on the Cup and League.
Daragh Corry bagged a brace within the opening ten minutes to leave Tulla in a commanding position.
Midfielder Arthur Rodgers pulled a goal back for Hermitage on twenty five minutes but any hopes of getting closer quickly vanished when they conceded a penalty which Fiachra Hale dispatched to the net to bring back their two goal margin.
Entering the final ten minutes, the Tage struck for goal again when Josh Costin renewed their hopes of causing an upset.
Needing a response, Tulla duly stepped up with Callum Casey and Dan Withycombe goaling on the eighty sixth and ninety fourth minute.
Tulla Utd: Gearoid Austin; Fiachra Hale, Adam McNamara, Diarmuid Molloy, Dara Ryan, Jack McSweeney, Billy McNamara, Ian Macnamara, Daragh Corry, Darragh Baker, Seán Withycombe.
Subs: Éanna Culloo for B McNamara (63), Callum Casey for Withycombe, Adam Kilker for McSweeney (83), Dan Withycombe for Corry (87), Raymond Bane for Baker (88).
Hermitage FC: Aidan Jordan, Chris O’Riordan, Neil Molloy, Ben Quinn, Oran Slattery, Shane Ryan, Mark Donovan, Arthur Rodgers, Darragh Kerin, Peter Keenan, Finn Whyte.
Subs: Jamie Fitzpatrick for Quinn (19), Bryan Gannon for Rodgers (76), Josh Costin for Keenan (76), Johnny Ryan for Whyte (76).
Referee: Brian Punch
