Ivan Smyth rounds up the Clare soccer action across league and cup competitions
BRIDGE United progressed to Round Two of the Munster Junior Cup as they saw off Newmarket Celtic B 4-3 after extra time.
Paul Corry scored the decisive goal as Newmarket’s B side provided a stern test. Brendan Harkin, Damien Halpin and Conor McCarthy all found the net for Newmarket but it wasn’t enough for them to cause a major upset.
Leon Daly grabbed his side’s first goal but after Bridge fell behind, substitute Ronan Tuohy put them back on level terms with U16 players Jack O’Halloran and Darragh Hayes playing pivotal roles for their third goal before Corry edged Bridge through.
Tulla United produced an upset of sorts as they knocked out fellow Maloney Hardware Premier Division side Lifford AFC. Mike Moloney’s side were 2-1 winners as they gained revenge after losing to Lifford AFC in league action the weekend previous.
Ian MacNamara and Daragh Corry grabbed the all important goals for the winners as Ethan Cronin found the net for Lifford AFC.
Shannon Town secured an emphatic opening round win over Fern Celtic B. Kieran Hackett struck for four while Brian Monaghan and Rory Hayes also bagged hat tricks as Steo Dolan’s side built upon their win over Coole FC the week previously in the Maloney Hardware Premier Division.
Newmarket Celtic also progressed through to Round Two of the Munster Junior Cup as they were dominant against an overwhelmed Shannon Hibs B side, who ply their trade in the Brian Pyne Tiles Second Division.
Former Ennis Town player Dean Hegarty found the net four times while Lee Cregan, Tadhg Noonan and Martin McCarthy, who all came through Newmarket’s Youths team last season also breaking through Shannon Hibs’ defence.
Meanwhile, Kilrush Rangers avoided a shock as they beat Bunratty/Cratloe 4-1. Danny Clancy’s hat trick helped the Premier Division outfit progress to Round Two with Goodwin Chigbo also on target for Kilrush Rangers.
First Division side Shannon Olympic secured a 3-2 win over Fern Celtic. Jay Regan, Lenon Keogh and Maksymilian were on target for the winners with strikes from John Cahill and Matt Fahy not enough for Fern to avoid elimination.
In the Maloney Hardware Premier Division, Avenue United condemned Mountshannon Celtic to another heavy defeat, running out 12-0 winners.
After being knocked out of the Munster Champions Trophy, David Russell’s side secured their second league win on the spin against a Mountshannon side who suffered their third league defeat in as many games.
Their new signing Nneji Nnabuike struck for four goals with Mark Roche also fired in a brace as Avenue secured their second league win in three games as they continue to bounce back after their opening round defeat to Lifford AFC.
The result puts Avenue in third spot of the Premier Division with six points to their name. Rivals Newmarket Celtic are in fourth with a game in hand while Bridge Utd and Lifford FC are three points ahead of the reigning champions.