Donegal visitors too cocky for Tipperary side in FAI Junior Cup quarter-final

FAI Junior Cup Quarter-Final

CLONMEL CELTIC 0 COCKHILL CELTIC (Buncrana, Donegal) 2

It was good while it lasted, but Clonmel Celtic's run in this year’s FAI Junior Cup came to an end on Sunday when they went down by 2-0, against Donegal side Cockhill Celtic, the favourites to win this year’s competition.

Though no doubt disappointed Clonmel Celtic can’t have too many complaints about the outcome as on the day they were second best to a strong and well drilled side.

It was a lively opening to a game that drew a fine attendance and the home side gave as good as they got in the early stages. Indeed, they had the first effort on goal when Philly Drohan did well on the left and his cross found Jack Purcell but his first-time effort was easily gathered by Hugh Doherty.

The visitors came close on 19 minutes when Luke Rudden got on the end of a cross, but his header was tipped over by Fabian Kerton in the home goal.

It was end to end at this stage, though Clonmel Celtic were finding it hard to create any clearcut chances against a resolute Buncrana rearguard.

The Donegal visitors hit the front on 31 minutes, and once again it was a dangerous crossfield ball which caused the problem. Luke Rudden was again on the end of it, and his header back across goal was tapped in by Jack Mullan.

It was a vital breakthrough and the Donegal side saw out the first half relatively comfortably. The home side almost created a chance just on half-time when Peter O'Dowd got on the end of Philly Drohan’s cross but his shot was well blocked.

Clonmel Celtci were still very much in this tie as the second half kicked off, but the game deteriorated into a scrappy affair bereft of any quality. Both sides battled hard but the game was littered with stoppages.

Cockhill Celtic put the game to bed on 69 minutes when Luke Rudden got on the end of a centre and fired home to effectively seal the win for the Ulster outfit.

The TS&DL side made some changes in an effort to get back into the tie but the visitors snuffed out their challenge and saw out the game in relative comfort.

Clonmel Celtic will regret that they were unable to produce their best on such a big day but you would have to credit Cockhill Celtic for that as it was very much mission accomplished for them.