Brave Glenhest denied as Celtic win Benson Cup in extra-time
Champions! Celtic players, management and supporters celebrate with champagne as captain Ioseph O’Reilly lifts the Benson Cup. Picture: John Corless
Castlebar Celtic claimed the first silverware of the season after Daniel Ajenipa struck in extra-time to give them a 2-1 victory over Glenhest Rovers in the Benson Cup final at Umbro Park.
Celtic were within seconds of winning it in normal time. But Eoghan Wright headed Glenhest level five minutes into stoppage time after Luke Kelly had given Celtic the lead. Glenhest’s celebrations didn’t last long, however. Peter Basquille’s long clearance caught the Glenhest defence out, shortly after extra-time began, and Ajenipa reacted quickest to score the winner.
Celtic’s experience of tight knockout games ultimately told. They came into the final during a demanding run of fixtures, including last weekend’s FAI Junior Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory away to Gorey Rangers. Glenhest, in contrast, had endured a lengthy break in their schedule before returning to action against Ballyheane the previous Sunday.
The difference in preparation was not obvious during a first half in which Glenhest proved extremely difficult to break down. They defended with numbers behind the ball and denied Celtic the space they normally exploit around the penalty area.
Jason Hunt created one of Celtic’s first chances with a low cross after 17 minutes, but Eoghan McManamon dealt with the danger. Hunt threatened again around the half-hour mark when McManamon parried his initial effort, and the Celtic player sent the follow-up into the side netting.
Luke Kelly fired over five minutes later before Celtic produced their best move of the half in stoppage time. Hunt released Mark Cunningham, whose cross picked out Johnny Cocozza, but his effort went over.
Glenhest concentrated largely on containing Celtic and looking for something on the counterattack. They won two free kicks and had a couple of corners during the opening half, but nothing came of them.
Celtic finally found a way through 11 minutes after the restart. Niall Brennan carried the ball into the Glenhest penalty area with some neat footwork before finding Kelly. The striker still had defenders to negotiate but worked an opening and finished well to put Celtic ahead.
The goal forced Glenhest to become more adventurous. Celtic continued to create the greater number of chances, however, with Dylan Edwards, Kelly and Hunt all threatening. Substitutes Óisin Tighe, Ajenipa and Aiden McHale also had efforts as Celtic searched for the second goal that would have settled the contest.
Glenhest began shooting from distance as they looked for a route through a well-organised Celtic defence. Basquille dealt with anything that came his way.
Shane Finnerty had a half chance for Glenhest when he broke late on in normal time. He took the wrong option against Paul McDermott and the chance disappeared.
Celtic appeared to have done enough, but Glenhest produced their best attacking moment five minutes into stoppage time. Levi Barrett did excellent work on the wing and delivered to the back post, where Wright headed home to force extra-time.
The equaliser gave Glenhest renewed hope, but Celtic responded almost immediately. Basquille sent a long clearance forward and the bounce deceived the Glenhest defence. Ajenipa read it first and finished well to restore Celtic’s lead.
There was no second recovery for Glenhest and Celtic saw out the remainder of extra-time to add the Benson Cup to their long list of recent honours.
This was Glenhest’s first major final in their fifty-one-year history. They have consolidated their position with a third-place Super League finish last season and will finish fifth this year, despite recently losing key striker Connor McCarthy to Mayo FC. They have some excellent young players coming through at the club. Their next challenge is to turn that progress into trophies.
Glenhest showed on Sunday that they can compete with the leading teams, mixing direct football with good passing, but impressive performances and near misses will only take them so far.
Cathal Chambers was outstanding in the Glenhest midfield, while Brennan and Kelly were among Celtic’s leading performers. Johnny Cocozza was named the player of the match after another excellent performance.
Celtic now turn their attention to the FAI Junior Cup. They return to Milebush next Sunday to face Kilkenny side Evergreen in the semi-final, with a place in the national decider at stake. Cocozza said Glenhest made it difficult for them.
“We knew we weren't going to come in here and steamroll them,” he told The Western People. “It was never going to be easy. We've never actually won a final by more than a goal, I don't think, so it's always a hard one. But we won, that's the main thing. On to next week now.
“They're very hard to beat, they're very compact but we weren't really at it in the first half. We were better in the second half. Fair play to Glenhest, they never gave up, even at 1-0 down. That's two weeks in a row now we've had extra-time. So that's good for the legs as well. Good for us for next week.” Celtic captain Ioseph O’Reilly said he never tires of lifting cups. “We went through a few years there without winning trophies, so it's nice to be successful over the last five years,” he said.
“I think we've won something every year. We've won quadruples, trebles, two Connacht Cups back-to-back. We've won three Super Leagues in a row, going for four. We're in the Junior Cup semi-final next weekend.
“We’re delighted. That's the first bit of silverware on offer for the year. So, it kind of sets a statement. We have three more to play for and then obviously we're still in the Junior Cup with the semi-final next weekend so we're aiming for four.
“It'll be difficult with all the games coming thick and fast, but we’re delighted to get the win and hopefully all focus is now on next Sunday.”
Castlebar Celtic: Peter Basquille; Mark Cunningham, Ioseph O’Reilly, Brian Walsh, Paul McDermott; Niall Brennan, Johnny Cocozza, Oran Murphy; Jason Hunt, Luke Kelly, Dylan Edwards. Subs: Aidan McHale and Fionn Mahon (for O Murphy and Hunt 76), Oisin Tighe (for Cunningham 83), Daniel Ajenipa (for Kelly 86), Ben Murphy and Mark Rattigan (for McDermott and Edwards 100).
Glenhest Rovers: Eoin McManaman; Eoin McNulty, Adrian Rowland, Chris Rowland, Ciaran McCormack (Ruairi Coyne 100); Levi Barrett, Cathal Chambers, Paul McLoughlin, Shane Finnerty; Paddy Mulchrone, Eoghan Wright. Subs: Ethan Barrett (for C Rowland 70), Matthew Reilly and Mark Forrestal (for McLoughlin and Mulchrone 80), Ruairi Coyne (for McCormack 100).
REF: Eric Eaton.
