Cockhill Celtic ease past Clonmel Celtic and into FAI Junior Cup semi-finals

Cockhill Celtic eased into the last four of the FAI Junior Cup with a comfortable 2-0 away win over Clonmel Celtic in Tipperary on Sunday.

Last season’s FAI Intermediate Cup runners-up progressed thanks to goals from Jack Mullan and Luke Rudden.  

The opening period was a very tight affair with the home side having a couple of half chances comfortably dealt with by Harry Doherty. 

Cockhill settled and on 10 minutes Luke Rudden saw a header at the back post saved. The visitors took the lead then on 31 minutes when Rudden got on the end of a Lee McColgan cross to head the ball across for Mullan to apply the finishing touch from close range.

They went close again when Doherty headed a Brendan McLaughlin corner just over the bar. Before the break, a McColgan shot was well tipped over the bar. 

Cockhill continued after the break to force the issue and McLaughlin’s free kick was met with a glancing header from McColgan but the header lacked power. 

The visitors added a second goal on 77 minutes when a McLaughlin free was dummied by McColgan and Rudden was on hand to sweep the ball home. 

After pressure from the home side Harry Doherty punched the ball clear to release Corey McBride who advanced and pulled the ball back to Garbhan Friel who fired wide. 

Clonmel went more direct in the closing stages but Cockhill’s defence stood firm and they advance to the semi-finals and a trip to Limerick in April where they’ll meet Pike Rovers. 

Rovers drew 1-1 with Regional United but finally advanced thanks to a 4-1 penalty shootout victory. 

Clonmel Celtic: Fabian Kerton; Jason Hahassy, Peter O’Dowd, Andrew Browne; Cian O’Sullivan, Jamie Ahearne, Julian Kerton, Graham Kelly, Sean Browne; Jack Purcell, Philip Drohan. 

Cockhill Celtic: Harry Doherty; Lee McLaughlin, Lee McColgan, Peter Doherty, Jason Breslin; Jack Doherty, Lukr Rudden, James Bradley, Garbhan Friel; Jack Mullan, Brendan McLaughlin. 

Referee: Brian Higgins.