Kelliher scores four as Saints rout Wilderness in Tipperary Premier League

File Photo: Ashley Kelliher (in stripes) scored four times for St Michael's in their 9-0 rout of Wilderness Rovers at Cooke Park on Sunday. Pic: Michael Boland

placeholder image — File Photo: Ashley Kelliher (in stripes) scored four times for St Michael's in their 9-0 rout of Wilderness Rovers at Cooke Park on Sunday. Pic: Michael Boland

Clonmel Credit Union Premier League

St Michael’s 9 – 0 Wilderness Rovers

St Michael’s warmed up for this weekend’s Munster Junior Cup semi-final clash in Cahir with Avenue United when they easily took the points in a one-sided contest at Cooke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Ashley Kelliher opened the scoring in the first minute, after good approach work by Russell Quirke and Colin Bargary, and matters quickly deteriorated for Rovers when the Saints added a second four minutes later. A cross from Rhys O’Regan was misjudged by Jake O’Donnell and ended up in the net. O’Regan made it 3-0 in the 18th minute with a shot from 18 yards, before Ashley Kelliher added a fourth shortly afterwards when he finished well from the edge of the box.

Russell Quirke rounded off the first half scoring at 5-0 six minutes before the break with a good finish, after some intricate play in the middle of the pitch.

It took the hosts just two minutes to make it six in the second half, when Kelliher scored again after following up a Joey Mulcahy effort.

David Slattery made it 7-0 in the 50th minute when he scored a header from close range after Ashley Kelliher had retrieved a Donagh Hickey cross.

Credit is due to Rovers, as they kept plugging away and never lacked for effort. However, two more goals in the latter stages of the game by Ashley Kelliher and David Slattery completed the rout and Rovers’ very poor season continues.