Tipperary standard bearers St Michael's reach the last four of Munster Champions Cup
The Saints come from behind to defeat Clonakilty in west Cork
Clonakilty 2 – 3 St. Michael's
Tipperary Town's St Michael's booked their place in the semi-finals of soccer's Munster Champions Cup after a dramatic comeback win away to Clonakilty in the quarter-final. On a firm pitch and in blustery conditions, both sides found it hard to settle early on, but the tie eventually burst into life after the break.
The hosts edged the first half, and after creating a handful of chances they took the lead right on the stroke of half-time when Cian McShane pounced inside the area to fire past Adam Gallagher.
However, the Saints came roaring back in the second half. Within two minutes of the restart, Willie Armshaw’s cross was handled in the box and captain Jimmy Carr made no mistake from the penalty spot. That lifted the visitors, and on 58 minutes Daniel O’Dwyer finished smartly from the inside channel to make it 2–1. A minute later it was 3–1, O’Dwyer turning provider to release Armshaw, who drilled home a clinical left-foot strike into the corner of the net.
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Clonakilty tried to respond but Saints continued to threaten on the counter attack, with both Daniel O'Dwyer and substitute Ed O’Dwyer going close. The home side gave themselves late hope when Collins converted a 90th-minute penalty to reduce the deficit to 3–2. That set up a nervy seven minutes of stoppage time, but Saints’ defence held firm to see them through.
A powerful third-quarter spell proved decisive for St. Michaels, who march into the semi-finals after this hard-fought away victory.