Celtic's FAI Cup adventure ended by Dundalk
Dundalk FC's Declan McDaid and Brian Walsh of Castlebar Celtic ina ction during the FAI Senior Cup third round in Oriel park. Picture: INPHO/Dan Clohessy
Castlebar Celtic's groundbreaking journey in the FAI Cup came to end this evening as they were beaten 8-0 by League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk.
It was always going to be an uphill battle for the visitors, who were the first Mayo League side to ever reach the last 16 of the competition, but they had a nightmare start to the game when they conceded a penalty inside seven minutes which was blasted home by Cian Dillon.
Three minutes later, Dundalk doubled their advantage when Robby Burns captialised on a failed clearance by Ioseph O'Reilly and he directed his effort into the bottom corner.
Dundalk dominated possession from start to finish, with Celtic camped in their own half. Stevie Gavin's men had little time on the ball and they failed to register any shot on goal in the game.
Celtic goalkeeper Stefan Hester was a busy man throughout, and he made saves to deny Egor Vassenin and Declan McDaid. The latter had the ball in the net on the half hour mark but was ruled out for a foul in the buildup.
The Hoops were defending as best they could and it appeared they were going to hold on until the break, but Luke Mulligan tapped in a third for Dundalk from close range two minutes before half-time when Celtic failed to clear a corner whipped in.
The one-way traffic continued in the second half, as Celtic could not match the pace and intensity that Dundalk were playing at., and further goals from Leo Gaxha, Mulligan, Dillon, Aaron Keogh and Danny Mullen completed the rout.
Celtic will have to dust themselves down quickly as they have another gigantic game next Saturday away to Gorey Rangers in the FAI Junior Cup quarter-final.
