Celtic chase record-equalling Super League four-in-a-row

The competition for the upcoming Elverys Sports Super League season looks to be the strongest in some time, but whether it is enough to stop the Castlebar Celtic juggernaut remains the big question.

Under Stevie Gavin and Declan Flynn, Cetlic have won the last three Super League titles, two of them unbeaten, and last season saw them complete a perfect league campaign (albeit two games were walkovers).

In addition, they have won three Mayo Super Cups, one Divisional Cup and are chasing a historic third Connacht Cup in a row. This Sunday’s upcoming quarter-final away to Colga means Celtic will not get underway in the Super League until later in March, and Gavin said another provincial cup is the latest motivating factor for a group that wants to win everything that is available to them.

“If you ask Oran [Murphy] and Johnny [Cocozza], it’s massive. There’ll be huge motivation for Colga and we’re well aware of that. The motivation is there; it’s about bringing the performance on the day down in Galway and that’s what we’re concentrating on.” As the FAI Junior Cup is now in the summer season for the first time, and their last Connacht Cup game was back in November, The Hoops have had a longer break in the off-season than in previous years.

The new schedule might now be a big advantage to Mayo teams who wish to go further in the FAI Junior Cup, although Gavin is not sure that will be the case.

“I never bought into the whole ‘teams never get a break’. We got a break; we got every December off.

“It should help in theory. We’ll see how much it helps Mayo teams in the next couple of years, {FAI Junior] going to summer soccer, will it make a difference or will it not. I don’t think it will. We’ll take it as it comes.” 

Celtic, who are chasing a record-equalling fourth Super League in a row, emulating Westport United’s 2014 to 2017 run of titles, may have signs of vulnerability. In addition to Cathal Coyne departing for Salthill Devon last season, 2019 Footballer of the Year Jordan Loftus is now in Australia. But the conveyor belt of talent shows no signs of slowing down at Celtic Park. 

Oran Murphy, who scored for the club’s U18 side in their FAI Youth Cup last 16 win over St Francis over the weekend, made his debut last season and scored in their win over St Bernard’s in the Connacht Cup last 16, and is likely to be given a chance up front to assist a strong attacking presence that includes Eoghan Hughes, Jason Hunt and last season’s league top scorer Luke Kelly.

“Very busy times with the club and school,” said Murphy, a student in Balla Secondary School and was part of their Connacht title win in Gaelic football as well as set to feature in the soccer’s team FAI U19 National Final next Monday.

“We saw last week how big the school thing is. Once we’re through that, get back with the senior [Celtic team] and get cracking with the year.” 

For Westport United, it was a case of ‘what if’ last season. The side did beat Celtic in the Benson Cup, which would be Celtic’s only domestic defeat last year, but lost home and away in the league as the club’s wait for another Super League title went into an eighth year. Ultimately, the league games between Celtic and Westport, coupled with Westport’s draw against Manulla on the opening day, decided the fate of the league title.

The first ‘Mayo El Clasico’ is scheduled for early April, a week after the two meet in the FAI Junior Cup, and manager David Hoban knows United must beat Celtic if they are to end their league wait.

“We’ll have to beat Celtic to win the league, but we’ll concentrate on our first game first, get over the line, and try to get off to a good start. That’s the aim,” said Hoban, whose travel to Ballyheane this Sunday in what is another tough opener for the Coveys.

Westport’s young talent, including Dylan O’Malley, Noah Massey, Harrison Quinn, Kevin Kitterick, Cian and Alex Halpin, and captain Jack Dawson, have tasted silverware in recent years, including last season’s Benson Cup, but Hoban knows the league is where the club will be judged.

“There’s a lot of them who have been around a long time. Cups are one thing, but we want to win leagues.

“Once you put on Westport jersey, there’s pressure. That’s just the way it. It’s always been that way.” 

Three teams hoping to get closer to the top are Conn Rangers, Ballyheane and Ballina Town. Ballyheane endured a difficult season both on and off the pitch, finishing sixth as well as the fallout from the Oscar Traynor saga, but with Cillian Redmond now fully fit, Michael Fahy back after Gaelic commitments, the return of the brilliant Liam Irwin, the 2021 and 2022 Super League champions are threat to anyone should they find their consistency.

A major positive was the performances of Adam Blake, who was one of the league’s breakout stars last season.

“Adam was brilliant every week,” said captain Sean Kilcoyne, who is ‘not far away’ from a return after a horrific leg injury he sustained against Kiltimagh/Knock United last June. “He just always puts everything in and that’s what you expect from players from Ballyheane.” 

“Liam speaks for himself on the pitch. He’s a brilliant footballer. All we hope is the rest of us can feed off his quality. Liam will drive us forward, but we have plenty of players who will drive us forward this season.” 

One player who will not be involved this year for Ballina Town is Benny Lavelle, with manager Mick Duffy confirming the legendary striker has retired. It leaves a big hole up front for goals this season, with much falling on the shoulders of PJ Gilmartin and Dylan McKee to find the net.

Although there were positives last year, Duffy conceded it was a ‘frustrating’ 2025 for the Town, who finished fourth.

“We had some good performances against the bigger teams, I think we had good performances against Westport and Castlebar, albeit we came out losing. As a manager, you want to see your team competitive.

“Last year, we didn’t have that consistency, but the performances gave us good heart to build on.

“We are hoping to be more consistent and competitive that we were last year.” One of the big stories last year was Glenhest Rovers, who had their most impressive performance in the top league, finishing third. They were unfortunate not beat Westport at home and will rightly feel they should have beaten Celtic in Castlebar. Adrian Rowland said a ‘small change in style’ played a big part and the work over the last few years saw the side reap big rewards.

“It was our most enjoyable year in the Super League. We got the rewards for having a consistent eleven most weeks.

“Some of the younger guys have given us a bump up. They have a year or two of Super League experience now, which is amazing. Things are positive and we’re hoping to do something similar this year.” 

The big change in the Super League is the division splitting into two groups of five at the halfway stage in what is seen as a preventive measure to stop the number of one-sided affairs in the second half of the season.

It will make the battle to avoid relegation a tough call, with promoted teams Ballyglass and Claremorris hoping to avoid the drop while Ballinrobe Town and Manulla will look to avoid a flirtation with relegation.