Castlebar Celtic's FAI Junior Cup journey ended by Evergreen

Castlebar Celtic’s interest in the FAI Junior Cup ended in tears at the semi-final stage after defeat on a 3-1 scoreline to a superior Evergreen side from Kilkenny at Umbro Park, Milebush on Sunday.

Dara Keane caused problems for Celtic all day and he was involved in Evergreen’s opening goal after 29 minutes, setting up Ethan Phelan to give the visitors a lead they carried into the half-time break.

Celtic battled to find a way back into the game, but Evergreen always carried a threat and substitute Collie Stafford doubled their advantage on 70 minutes to confirm the Kilkenny side’s superiority.

But Celtic refused to go quietly. With five minutes remaining, excellent work by Jason Hunt led to a corner from Dylan Edwards, which Mark Cunningham headed home to reduce the deficit and give the home side renewed hope.

That hope lasted only seconds. Celtic were caught almost immediately and another Evergreen substitute, Mikie Clifford, scored the visitors’ third to finally put a place in the FAI Junior Cup final beyond reach.

Celtic bowed out with their heads held high after a series of excellent performances in a competition they so badly want to win. They had come through difficult tests to reach the semi-final and again showed the qualities that have made them one of the leading junior sides in the country. But they were beaten by a better team on the day.

*See Tuesday's Western People for full coverage