Daly notches hat-trick as Tullamore romp to easy win

Tullamore Town's national cup adventure continued with an impressive 5-0 demolition of their Wicklow Schoolboy League counterparts Rathnew, which sees them progress to the last 32 of the competition. Having travelled the previous Saturday to Rathnew, only to have the game called off due to a combination of a referee appointment mix up and the weather, this U15 Evans Cup fixture was refixed for Leah Victoria Park last Saturday. Tullamore were full of confidence going into the game following their excellent victory over St Francis of Athlone in the previous round. This confidence was justified after just four minutes when Cian Daly latched on to a ball over the Rathnew defence from Aaron Dooner and coolly slotted the ball to the net after a mix-up between the Rathnew centre-backs. Rathnew settled after that early setback but, with Tullamore's back four of Dooner, Rory Condron, Luke Kelly and Ross Kinnarney on fine form, they dealt with everything that came their way. Throughout the first half both sides were fully committed to the cause which resulted in a good spectacle for the crowd who turned up to watch the game. With things evenly poised, Tullamore got the break when Cian Daly ran on to a through ball from Max Osanu and placed the ball to the keeper's right to put the Town 2 up, with 10 minutes to go in the first half. Ger Crowe was commanding in midfield along with the magnificent Osanu and they gave the Rathnew boys very little time or space on the ball. With Darragh Kelly and Gary McDonald causing problems on both wings, Tullamore continued to threaten in the second half. Up front, workhorse Ted Conway was combining a great work-rate with some wonderful skill. Rathnew came more into the game and keeper Niall McCabe had to be alert to turn a fierce shot onto the post to deny the Rathnew number 8. Tullamore sealed the game with 10 mins to go when great work between Kinnarney and Conway on the left resulted in Daly rising to meet substitute Jamie Coyne's cross and heading to the back of the net. Max Osanu was denied from a free kick but made amends minutes later when he scored from the edge of the box. The attacking duo of Conway and Daly were withdrawn with 5 mins to go to a standing ovation from their team-mates and managers, to be replaced by Stephen Lynam and James Shanahan. Just to prove the strength of the squad and to keep lads on their toes, Shanahan blasted a 25-yard shot to the roof of the net to make it 5-0 and secure a place in the last 32 of the SFAI U15 Evans Cup. This was an excellent team performance, but the two lads up front Ted Conway and Cian Daly deserves special mention for their work-rate in closing down the Rathnew defence. Daly shades the Man of the Match award for his magnificent hat-trick. Tullamore have been drawn away in the next round with the opposition yet to be confirmed. Tullamore Town: Niall McCabe, Ross Kinnarney, Rory Condron, Aaron Dooner, Luke Kelly, Ger Crowe, Gary McDonald, Maxim Osanu, Ted Conway, Cian Daly, Darragh Kelly. Subs: Jamie Coyne, Sean Donegan, James Shanahan, Stephen Lynam, Michael Cleary, Enda Doran, Kaylyn Colgan, Corey Mangan, Sean Aherne, Josh Snoddy.