Ennis Town and Tulla United experienced contrasting fortunes in the Munster U19 Cup semi finals last weekend.
On Sunday, Ennis Town secured a 5-4 win over Tramore FC at Ozier Park, Waterford. Michael Mongans gave the Clare side the perfect start when he finished from close range after an excellent Joe Campbell cross.
Less than 10 minutes later Dean Hegarty converted from the penalty spot after a Tramore handball. Ennis Town moved 3-0 up when Dean Hegarty played Campbell through as he coolly slotting home.
Despite Tramore pulling a goal back to leave Ennis Town leading 3-1 at half time, the Clare side hit back when Dean Hegarty set up Robbie Gormley as he slotted in from an acute angle.
Once more Tramore breached the Ennis Town defence but Hegarty again was the architect, this time for Campbell as his powerful finish gave Ennis Town a fifth goal.
The Waterford side struck two late goals but Ennis Town held on to book a final against Midleton FC next month at Turner’s Cross.
Hopes of an all Clare final were dashed on Saturday afternoon when Tulla fell to a 1-0 defeat to Cork side Midleton FC.
On a day when Tulla enjoyed their fair share of chances it was Jake Mallon’s free kick for Midleton FC that ensured they would meet Ennis Town in the final.
Midway through the opening half Eanna Culloo slipped a pass through to Ian MacNamara on the left of the penalty box with his shot smothered by the Midleton ‘keeper. Before the break Jack McSweeney’s corner found Ian Macnamara at the back post but he lifted his volleyed effort over the bar.
Midleton’s goal came 15 minutes from time as Mallon’s free kick beat Simon Kilker in the Tulla goal. Mike Moloney’s side had two late chances to equalise when Eanna Culloo shot over after being set up by Eoin Hassett and in the dying moments Conor O’Donnell headed over at the back post from Fionn Ryan’s deep cross.
Ennis Town:
Conor Meaney, Conall Meade, Johnson Monunkum, Michael Kelleher, Sean Perill, Jashar Aliu, Robbie Gormley, Luke Pyne, Michael Mongans, Dean Hegarty, Joe Campbell.
Subs: Jack Kelleher for Pyne, Evan White for Mongans, Ian McGuane for Campbell, Chibi King for Gormley.
Tulla Utd: Simon Kilker, Fionn Ryan, Diarmuid Molloy, Adam McNamara, Dara Ryan, Jack McSweeney, Emmet Lynch, TJ Dillon, Ian MacNamara, Eanna Culloo, Fiachra Hale. Subs: Sean Withycombe for Lynch, Eoin Hassett for Dillon, Conor O’Donnell for Hale.