Tummery's shootout delight as they beat Rangers

Tummery win 4-3 on penalties

Tummery Athletic booked their place in the final of the Mulhern Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Enniskillen Rangers.

The sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of football with Rangers having the better of the chances throughout and will wonder how they were not in front with a host of chances missed, especially in the first half.

Tummery had their goalkeeper, Niall McCrory, to thank for keeping them in the game with a string of wonderful saves.

And he was again the hero in the penalty shootout.

Rangers showed their threat after just two minutes as a cross from Nathan Khan flew across the face of goal but nobody was on hand to direct the ball goalward.

The Enniskillen side were dominating possession and were not allowing Tummery any time on the ball.

Stuart Rainey had the first shot on target after seven minutes but it was straight at McCrory and he also had a dangerous cross well gathered by the Tummery keeper.

Jordan McClure looked as if he was going to break the deadlock with a curling effort that was destined for the top corner, but McCrory flew to his left and gathered.

And just minutes later a dangerous free kick into the Tummery box resulted in a goalmouth scramble that was eventually gathered by that man again, Niall McCrory.

Probably the best chance of the evening came minutes later when a great ball over the top by Eoin McManus set McClure away. His cross was there for Joel Byrne to attack but he fluffed his line and failed to make a proper connection with the ball and it was another let-off for Tummery.

McClure and McCrory were having their own mini-battle with the Tummery man coming out on top on another two occasions saving well from the Rangers winger as the half ended scoreless.

The second half saw Tummery grow more into the game but without creating many chances.

The introduction of Declan McNulty helped them get a platform in the middle of the park.

The first real chance of the second half fell to Rangers when Rainey blocked down an attempted clearance and raced through on goal.

Again McCrory stood tall to save and the follow-up shot from Ciaran Smith went wide.

Tummery had their first two shots on target shortly after but Joel Peden saved them easily.

A bit of controversy in Rangers' next attack as William Burleigh was tripped up as he was put through on goal.

It looked as if his touch took the ball too far ahead of him but Ciaran Beacom went in the book for the foul with Rangers questioning if the colour should have been red instead.

Khan's free-kick was smothered by McCrory.

A couple of half-chances from both sides brought the 90 minutes to a close and it was on to extra time.

Tummery had the better chances early on with Paidi Dillon having two chances before Paul McHugh broke the deadlock.

McNulty's shot from the edge of the box was deflected and while Peden kept it out McHugh was closest to fire home.

Rangers were almost level from the kick-off as a well-worked move put Burleigh through. 

His shot beat McCrory but was cleared by Kevin McAleer as the first period of extra time ended 1-0 to Tummery.

The second period saw Rangers press for an equaliser and they were camped in the Tummery half but could only muster half chances.

That was until the very end when a ball into the box by Kyle Deery was cushioned out to Smith by Burleigh.

Smith took a touch before Beacom lunged in and brought him down with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

And it was McManus with the last kick who levelled the game with a great penalty and sent the game to a penalty shootout.

McManus for Rangers and McNulty for Tummery missed their opening penalties before the sides scored three each.

Beattie, Smith and Jason Keenan for Rangers and McHugh, Malachy McLaughlin and Gary Duffy for Tummery.

Deery then stepped up and McCrory dove to his right to keep it out.

It was down to Martin Hughes with Tummery's fifth penalty and he drove it straight down the middle to the delight of the Tummery support and send them into the Mulhern Cup final where they await Dergview Reserves or Augher Stars.