Tullamore through to last four of Michael Dolan Cup

Tullamore’s defence of the Michael Dolan Cup continued unhindered in Leah Victoria Park last Sunday as they steamed into the semi-finals on the back of an impressive first half performance.

CCFL Michael Dolan Cup Quarter Final

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Tullamore Town 3

Highfield Utd 1

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With only five minutes gone they opened their account when Patrick Gorman played a lovely ball through to Shane Delaney and he placed his shot into the bottom left corner for an excellent score.

As Highfield hit back Eric Smyth brought a fine save from Ciaran Carragher down low to his right while at the other end a surging run by Patrick Tyrell saw him crash his effort off the right upright. Delaney again threatened when he cut in from the right but James Hartnett got down smartly smother his low cross.

With half an hour gone they increased their lead when Hartnett allowed a Tyrell cross to squirm out of his grasp and Delaney pounced on the loose ball to drive it into the roof of the net. The visitors nearly got back in the game when the dangerous Smyth played a superb ball inside the home defence to Martin Gallagher but Carragher brilliantly tipped his wicked cross shot around the post.

With thirty five minutes on the clock Anthony Coyne played a great crossfield pass to the overlapping Niall Gorman but he fired over when well placed. They again went close when Keith O’Connor took off on a surging run that carried him into the area but Hartnett was quickly off his line to save at his feet as the referee brought the first half to a conclusion with Tullamore two goals to the good.

Highfield began the second half in determined fashion with Ciaran Carragher doing well to keep out Barry McEvoy’s deflected free kick. They continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges as Tullamore appeared to take their foot off the pedal but, with seventy minutes gone, they increased their advantage in bizarre circumstances. Enda Ravenhill played a great ball through to Shane Delaney who played it inside to Mark Hayes but, in attempting to clear his weakly hit shot, the Highfield defender somehow contrived to help the ball into the back of the net.

The introduction of Ted Conway brought a new sense of urgency to the home attack and they nearly went further ahead when Keith O’Connor picked out Ravenhill on the left and his fine cross was fired over by Patrick Gorman. They again went close when a Niall Lynch free kick caused confusion in the visitors defence with both O’Connor and Conway having shots charged down. With five minutes remaining Highfield got the score their second half performance deserved when they were awarded a penalty and Barry McEvoy placed his spot kick into the top right hand corner.

Tullamore nearly restored their three goal advantage when Robert McKenna handled the ball outside his area but he retrieved the situation with a great double save to deny Ronnie Hughes.

They again went perilously close when Anthony Coyne played a lovely ball out to Ted Conway on the left and he cut inside before bringing a fine save from McKenna and, as the ball broke back into play, Enda Ravenhill saw his goal bound effort brilliantly taken off the line by Stephen Kelly. With minutes remaining Darragh O’Meara cut the ball back to Barry McEvoy but his effort was deflected over as Tullamore booked their place in the semi-finals.

While at times they played in fits and starts this was still a fine all round performance with excellent contributions from Anthony Coyne, Enda Ravenhill, Patrick Gorman and Shane Delaney, but the man of the match award went to Tullamore’s cultured full back, Brian Norris.

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Tullamore: Ciaran Carragher, Niall Gorman, Ken Doyle, Anthony Coyne, Brian Norris, Enda Ravenhill, Niall Lynch, Patrick Gorman, Keith O’Connor, Shane Delaney and Patrick Tyrell. Subs: Ronnie Hughes, Mark Hayes, Ted Conway, Mark Conroy and David Maloney (all used).