The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Avenue United 0 Tulla United 0
(Avenue won 4-3 on penalties after extra time)
Avenue United 0 Tulla United 0
(Avenue won 4-3 on penalties after extra time)
Cup holders Avenue United are just one win away from retaining the title after they overcame Tulla United in the first of this year’s semi-finals at the county grounds on Sunday.
Goalkeeper John Healy, whose error in injury time a week earlier had killed off the Ennis side’s hopes of winning the league title, was the hero on this occasion.
In the penalty shoot-out, the Killaloe man saved three Tulla penalties.
When Denis Murphy stepped up to take Tulla’s fifth penalty, supporters of the East Clare side were preparing to celebrate a historic victory. Success for Murphy would put Tulla into the final for the first time and also mark a great victory over the Ennis club.
Healy proved equal to the occasion and produced a top-class save to keep the game alive and send it to sudden death.
Pa Wilson gave the holders the advantage when he scored, which meant Tulla had to score to remain in the race for the title. Padraic O’Malley was Tulla’s next penalty taker. He also failed to beat Healy and the champions were back in another final.
Most of the excitement in what was a disappointing contest was reserved for the penalty shoot-out. Avenue were up first but Con Collins saw his effort rebound off the crossbar and suddenly the pressure was on the Ennis outfit. Gearóid O’Doherty gave the East Clare side the lead. Barry Nugent (Avenue) and Niall Whelan (Tulla) were on target, as was Alan Roche for Avenue before Clare youths player Darragh Corry had his effort saved.
David Russell scored for Avenue while Keith Lenihan did likewise for Tulla.
Avenue’s Gary Flynn had his effort saved by Shane Collins to leave Tulla on the verge of victory but Murphy failed to beat Healy.
The game itself was a rather dull affair with few chances throughout.
Avenue came close in the opening half when David Russell saw his effort rebound off the crossbar, while the Clarecastle man had a goal disallowed for an offside infringement.
Tulla also created a few opportunities and Niall Whelan and Trevor Corbett should have done better in the second half.
Avenue United: John Healy; Simon Cuddy, Mattie Nugent, David Russell, Colin Smith, David Herlihy, Con Collins, Pa Wilson, David Smith, David McCarthy, Mikey Mahoney.
Subs: Jack Walsh for Herlihy; Dylan Casey for Cuddy; Alan Roche for Mahoney; Gary Flynn for M Nugent.
Tulla United: Shane Collins; Tom Byrnes, Padraic O’Malley, Niall Whelan, Denis Murphy, Tommy McKeown, Trevor Corbett, Shane Mason, Darragh Corry, Alan Brigdale, Colin Nelson.
Subs: Keith Lenihan for McKeown; Brian Hehir for Mason; Gearóid O’Doherty for Corbett.
