Tulla U17B visited Bunratty Cratloe, U17 1st division league leaders in Saturday knowing it would be a very hard game.

In a glorious sunny but cold afternoon, the Tulla boys started with a very defensive formation with the intent to deny as many chances as possible to the opponent while playing a game of counter attacking. The boys had a point to prove after a poor result the previous weekend in the cup game.

As expected Bunratty started fast and furious trying to create chance after chance but Tulla Utd players were very compact defensively and worked together well as a unit and didn't allow Bunratty clear chances if not many corner kicks and some crosses well defended by the central trio Conor, Arek and Eimhin. When Tulla had the ball in the first half kept well possession and created, despite all odds some 4 good chances and capitalized on one of them when a Bunratty defender pressed well close to his 6 yds box by the front 2 Emmett and Mattie accidentally scored an OG.. Tulla seen the first half out with a couple of great saves from Luke first game as a GK from the first minute.

The second half seen again Bunratty pushing more and more looking to unlock the Tulla defense, that didn't drop deep but kept a nice high shape and it was well orchestrated by its own GK who was vocal and well positionedll the time and in a few occasions made some great saves to deny Bunratty. As the pressure from opponents increased, the Tulla players worked tirelessly, particoularly in the middle of the park where Conor M., Mattie, Ciaran and Donal put together a great collective effort while on the 2 flanks Evan and Ronan, Liam and Emmett continue to press and transitioning to attack. on the 32nd minute Tulla had a great chance to score the second but Emmett's effort was vell saved by te Bunratty Goalkeeper. The last 10 minutes seen Tulla making 4 changes and managing well the game to get the second away win of the campaign against the league leaders by just one goal but showing everyone how hard this group of player can be.

Some numbers to put in prospective the huge defensive effort from the boys: Buratty had 10 Corners (vs our 4) and 20 shots of which 8 saved by Luke vs 7 shots from Tulla.

Best of luck to Bunratty Cratloe FC U17 for the rest of the season and a huge thank to all parents who travelled to support us.

Tulla Utd formation:

Starting: Luke, Liam, Evan, Eimhin, Conor O'B.. Arek, Conor M. (C), Donal, Ciaran, Emmett, Mattie.

S: Ronan, Oisin P., Oisin W., Daniel, Lucas, Mark, Oran, Casper.