*David McCarthy completed a hat-trick in Newmarket Celtic’s 8-1 win over Shannon Olympic.
Thirteen games in the first round of the Banner Flooring Clare Cup were listed for decision on Sunday, eight of which went ahead as scheduled.
Holders Newmarket Celtic made their intentions clear when recording an 8-1 win over Shannon Olympic while fellow Premier Division outfits, Ennis Town and Bridge United also progressed to round 2 when they defeated Hermitage and Newmarket Celtic B respectively
Shannon Olympic 1
Newmarket Celtic A 8
Venue: Shannon
Cup holders Newmarket Celtic took the first step towards retaining the title when they recorded a comfortable win over Shannon Olympic on Sunday.
Newmarket were well on their way to this win when they led 4-0 at half time with goal from Eoin Hayes, David McCarthy (penalty), Stephen Kelly and substitute Conor McDaid.
Olympic struck for their only goal early in the second half through Jason Regan but Celtic quickly regained control and added goals from David McCarthy (2) to complete his hat trick and substitutes Josh Orajuaba and Martin McCarthy.
Shannon Olympic: Piotr Kaluza; Benjamin Cantillon, Dean Power, Dan Clair. David O’Flaherty; Pa Madden, Rachid Amallah, Ray Quigley, Jason Regan; Ryan Kelly, Declan McDonald.
Newmarket Celtic A: Dermot Gannon; David O’Grady, Darren Cullinan, Stephen Kelly, Paddy Purcell; Alan Kelly, Eoin Kelly, Gearoid O’Brien, David McCarthy, Eoin Hayes, Ronan McCormack;
Subs; Conor McDaid and Martin McCarthy for E. Hayes and S. Kelly; Josh Orajuaba for Purcell; John Davoran for A. Kelly;
Hermitage 1
Ennis Town 6
Ennis Town comfortably booked their place in the next round with this victory over Hermitage. Goals from Lee Clohessy and Donal O’Halloran (2) helped them to a 3-0 interval lead.
They continued to dominate in the second half and goals from Lee Clohessy (2) to complete his hat trick and Dean Coughlan sealed the win.
Hermitage got through for their goal two minutes from time from Peter Molloy.
Hermitage: Mark Cleary; Michael Akujobi, Alex Alujobi, Martin Keenan, Thomas Radelick; Arthur Rodgers, Mark Donovan, Shane Talty, Finn White; Imit Sequire, Emreh Sequire;
Subs: Miquel; Liam O’Brien, Peter Keenan, Peter Molloy, Wojchech Hoscowski.
Ennis Town; Aidan Jordan; Declan Ensko, Ultan Shields, Conor O’Halloran, Emmanuel Ikiebey, Jason Cussen, Robbie Gormley, Paddy Bugler, Donal O’Halloran, Dean Coughlan, Lee Clohessy;
Subs: David Keenan for D. O’Halloran; Graham Callinan for Gormley; Eoin Keenan for C. O’Halloran; Steven Horgan for Ensko; Dean Hegarty for Bugler.
Bridge United A 3
Newmarket Celtic B 1
Bridge United A continued their recent good form when they accounted for Newmarket Celtic B in this cup tie on Sunday.
Brian Corry, Leon Kelly and Leon Daly were the goalscorers for the winners while Conor McCarthy scored for Newmarket.
Bridge United A: Paul Tuohy; Dan Larkin, Jason Loughnane, Alan Mulready, Liam Buckley; Jonathan Downes, Leon Kelly, Adam Fitzpatrick, Jordan Downes, Leon Daly, Brian Corry.
Subs: Enda Boyce for Daly; Kieran Quinlan for Kelly; Steve Stewart for Jonathan Downes, Alex Collins for Larkin; Darren Murphy for Mulready
Newmarket Celtic B: Alan Reidy; Jamie Cronin, Liam Harkin, Brendan Harkin, Liam O’Connor; Martin Mulqueen, Seamus Considine, Killian Howard, Cian Foley; Lee Cregan, Conor McCarthy;
Subs: Calum Hussey for Foley; Damo Halpin for Cregan; Stefan Howard for McCarthy.
Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup Rnd 1:
Tulla United 3 Inch Crusaders 0
Shannon Hibs B 0 Corofin Harps 4
Kildysart 3 Connolly Celtic 0
Sporting Ennistyon walkover Turnpike Rovers;
Ennis Dons 1 Shannon Hibs A 2
There are three games in the race for the Cup listed for this Sunday. Moher Celtic A will entertain Coole FC, St. Pats will have Shannon Town A as visitors to Kilmihil while Fern Celtic will take on Rhine Rovers.
