*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
NEWMARKET CELTIC were much stronger than Tulla Utd to claim their place in the last thirty of the Munster Junior Cup.
Newmarket Celtic 3
Tulla Utd 1
Venue: McDonough Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Home comforts have not always stood to Newmarket Celtic when it comes to welcoming Tulla Utd to the village.
Dan Withycombe’s strike with ninety four minutes played in their May encounter was a fatal blow to Newmarket’s chances of league success but there was no stopping the hosts from seeing off their East Clare opponents this time.
In a repeat of the 2025 Clare Cup final, Newmarket Celtic again took the spoils. Eoin Hayes’ strike was the difference five months ago to help Celtic win their twentieth Cup.
This time, it was the manner in which Celtic moved the ball quickly, diagonally and with purpose to test their opponents but more importantly create chances. Harvey Cullinan from the heart of defence and both wingers Aaron Rudd and Nathan Boaventura were particularly influential in this regard to help Newmarket get on top.
From this off, this diagonal tactic was evident and it bore fruit. Harvey played a diagonal delivery to Rudd on the right flank, his cross went beyond full-back Adam McNamara at the far post and into the path of Boaventura who pulled the trigger and hit the net.
Cathal Cullinan came close to doubling their advantage on four minutes as the early stages of the game gave an impression that Newmarket were on course for a comprehensive victory.
To quickly put a stop to that narrative, Diarmuid Molloy stepped up and fired an absolute bullet of a free to the top corner of the Newmarket net to level matters with seven minutes played.
Kevin Harnett in his first outing this season for Newmarket brought composure to the middle of the park and was a welcome presence in their starting eleven.
After putting four chances on the trot together, Newmarket regained the lead with their fifth chance, this one saw Eoin Hayes’ skill and experience come to the fore. David McCarthy played the ball to the ex Irish junior international, who raced onto the ball, cut in from the right wing and tucked the ball into the bottom left corner of the net in what was an exceptional move.
An injury to striker Darragh Leahy plus other stoppages led to over seven minutes of additional time in the opening half and in this period, Newmarket struck for their third goal.
A corner kick found the head of Cathal Cullinan, his header was cleared off the line but only as far as his cousin Harvey who duly flicked the ball across the line to make it 3-1 at half time.
There was a sense of frustration within the Tulla side at the amount of space afforded to danger man Eoin Hayes. It prompted an exchange between Jashar Aliu and his colleagues in defence which led to Tulla manager Mike Moloney telling Aliu “you do your job”.
Aliu was among those to make way at half time as the Withycombe brothers entered the fray. The approach of Moloney and his management not to go with their strongest eleven helped create a mountain to climb, the same tactic helped them to overcome Newmarket in the league last season with the bench making the difference but this time the ask was too much.
Another substitute, Éanna Culloo had a chance to narrow the gap in the final ten minutes after Tadhg Noonan was booked for giving away a penalty. However his penalty was not converted.
A chance to progress outside of Clare would have aided Tulla Utd’s development but their exit is not as damaging as Avenue’s third round departure. Focus now switches to internal matters for the East Clare side who will be eager to better their run to the Clare Cup final and try aim for a top two finish in the Premier Division.
So far so good would be the verdict for Alan Gough’s tenure with Newmarket Celtic. They have yet to meet a serious force in the Premier Division and struggled to get a win against Ennis Dons so where exactly they stand is not yet clear. This win was achieved by playing to their strengths and capitalising on weak points of their opponents so it was a job well done. Best players included Eoin Hayes, Aaron Rudd, Harvey Cullinan and Kevin Harnett.
Newmarket Celtic: Shane Cusack, Éanna Crimmins, Tadhg Noonan, Harvey Cullinan, Cathal Cullinan; Jack Kelly, Kevin Harnett, Aaron Rudd, Eoin Hayes, Nathan Boaventura, Darragh Leahy.
Subs: David McCarthy for Leahy (27) (inj), Scott Mulqueen for Hayes (75), Cian McDonough for Harnett (80), Cathal Hayes for Kelly (90).
Tulla Utd: Simon Kilker; Adam McNamara, Diarmuid Molloy, Dara Ryan, Glen McNamara; Adam Kilker, Ayoub Agueram, Fiachra Hale, Jashar Aliu, Callum Casey; Daragh Corry.
Subs: Seán Withycombe for G McNamara (HT), Dan Withycombe for Aliu (HT), Éanna Culloo for Casey (65), Ian Macnamara for Corry (72), Raymond Bane for Agueram (80).
Referee: Michael Rock
