Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Steven Crawford

Ronan Hale the hat-trick hero for Cliftonville as they progress in Irish Cup

Cliftonville eased into the last 16 of the Irish Cup with a clinical 5-0 win over Dundela at Wilgar Park.

The hosts made a bright start at a packed 'Hen Run' but found themselves two down before the half hour.

Hot prospect Sean Moore enhanced his reputation further as he broke the deadlock with a fine finish on 26 minutes.

Read next: Tiernan Lynch hails 'unique deal' as two new signings arrive with one departure

He latched on to a long ball from Chris Gallagher before dispatching a composed finish past Sam Johnston.

The Reds doubled their advantage two minutes later as Ronan Hale brought the ball down in the box before lashing the ball past Johnston at the near post.

The Duns should have pulled one back before the break but Willie Faulkner screwed his shot wide from in front of goal.

That miss was punished three minutes into the second half as Cliftonville went 3-0 ahead.

Tony Kane was penalised for bringing Moore down in the box and Joe Gormley stepped up to fire home from the penalty spot.

Chris Curran was denied a goal by Johnston, but the visitors did grab a fourth before the hour mark.

Again Johnston did well to parry an effort from Gormley but Hale was on hand to smash home the loose ball.

Luke Turner and Curran went close again before Hale wrapped up his hat-trick on 74 minutes.

The striker showed his predatory instincts tapping in from close range from a Colin Coates header.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.