Ennis Carpets Clare Cup Semi Final: Tulla United 4-3 Bridge United
Tulla United will contest the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup final for the first time in their history.
A hat trick for Dan Whitycombe and one from Daragh Corry helped them beat Bridge United in a dramatic game in Frank Healy Park.
They came from behind and withstood a late surge to do it, with two late Bridge goals ensuring a nervy finish.
Early pressure was applied by Mark Colbert’s side, and it was rewarded when a handball led to a 15th minute penalty which was dispatched by Jack O’Halloran to put the Bridge 1-0 up.
The Tulla response was immediate and clinical, with Dan Whitycombe producing an ingenious finish with Bridge netminder John Mulready out of position, and moments later, a teasing whipped cross from Eanna Culloo was headed powerfully home by the veteran Daragh Corry to turn this tie on its head.
On the stroke of half time, Tulla twisted the knife again when Whitycombe doubled his tally with a brilliant finish to see the East Clare men lead 3-1 at the break.
Bridge needed a fast start to the new half, but it was Tulla who found the net once more just moments after kickoff as Whitycombe completed his hat trick with a thundering finish to the top corner from the edge of the area.
Bridge did come with a late surge as Witness bundled home to reduce the arrears, and another penalty from O’Halloran left the game on a knife edge in injury time
The additional time, which was substantial, in both halves, saw Bridge throw everything at the Tulla rearguard but they held firm to make history and set up a final showdown against Newmarket Celtic on May 24th.
