Hibs fail to take their chances in cup exit
The Hibernians team that crashed out of the FAI Junior Cup after a narrow 3-2 loss against Tulla United at Mitchell Kennedy Park. Photos: Paul Elliott
Tulla United travelled from Clare to Mitchell Kennedy Park in Waterford last Sunday to take on Hibernians in the FAI Junior Cup, and it was the visitors who came out on top, winning by three goals to two.
Hibs got themselves into a good position as they came from two goals down to draw level and will count themselves unlucky as they hit the woodwork twice in the latter stages of the game.
From the opening whistle, it was the visitors who took control of the game. Tulla forced two early corner kicks. Enna Culloo sent in two inswinging flag kicks that were well defended by Hibs defenders Andrew Power and Mark McManus.
Hibs had their first attack after 12 minutes, Lee Kavanagh back-heeled a Daire O’Keeffe cross into the path of Ben Walshe, but the winger dragged his shot wide of the far post. , The home side went close to taking the lead ten minutes later. A dribbling run along the end line by Craig Keane saw him pull the ball back to Lee Kavanagh, but his weak strike was pushed past the post by Simon Kilker.
The visitors took the lead on 28 minutes. Daragh Corry slipped a pass into Callum Casey, the winger raced across the edge of the box before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Hibs had a chance to equalise two minutes before the break. A deep cross by Lee Kavanagh found Luke Kervick at the far post, but his shot only found the side netting.
Tulla United doubled their lead on the hour mark. Darragh Baker sent a corner kick to the far post, and when the ball broke loose in the box, Dara Ryan was first to react to stab the ball into the net.
That goal seemed to wake Hibs from their slumber, and they pulled a goal back on 62 minutes. A long ball out of defence by Jack Caulfield saw Hibs striker Lee Kavanagh give chase, and he got between two defenders before taking the ball past the keeper and side-footing home.
Minutes later, Luke Kervick came onto a loose ball, but his right-footed strike beat the keeper, but the ball hit the near post and bounced clear.
Hibs level on 65 minutes. Jack Caulfield split the Tulla defence, and Jack Waring out-muscled the visitors' defence to score from close range.
Tulla United hit what proved to be the winning goal on 84 minutes. A long throw-in by Billy McNamara dropped at the feet of Daragh Corry, and his half-hit effort somehow deceived Sean Whitty and rolled into the far corner of the net.
Hibs threw the kitchen sink at Tulla in the closing stages of eighty minutes. A Philip Drohan cross found Ben Walshe at the far post, but his well-struck effort came back off the near post. In the last minute, a cross from Lee Hennessy was picked up by Craig Keane; his effort was on target, but Simon Kilker got down to smother the strike.
Sean Whitty, Lee Hennessey, Craig Keane, Daire O’Keeffe (Antonio Petrovic 76), Andrew Power, Ben Walshe, Mark McManus (David Adebayo 89), Luke Kervick, Jack Caulfield, Lee Kavanagh (Callum Barry 76), Jack Waring (Philip Drohan 66).
Simon Kilker, Fiachra Hale, Billy McNamara, Diarmuid Molley (Adam McNamara 69), Dara Ryan, Adam Kilker, Eanna Culloo, Ayoub Agauerran, Daragh Corry, Darragh Barker (Ray Bane 87), Callum Casey (Sean Whittcombe 74).
Chris Maher, assisted by Gavin Keyes and Luke Brennan.
