Fantastic four for Loftus leads to another Celtic rout
Ballinrobe Town's Pat O'Sullivan could only watch on as Castlebar Celtic forward Jordan Loftus, left, showed no mercy to the Robesiders last Sunday. Picture: Andy Walsh
A four goal salvo from Jordan Loftus helped propel a dominant Castlebar Celtic to victory at The Green on Sunday morning as a beleaguered Ballinrobe Town suffered their second heavy defeat in the space of three days at the hands of the defending league champions and recently crowned Connacht Cup champions.
The Green has been a difficult venue for opposing teams this season and prior to last Sunday’s encounter, the Robesiders were unbeaten on home soil in the current Super League campaign.
Ballinrobe began the tie at a brisk pace and could well have taken a surprise lead inside the first minute; however, Peter Butler’s deflected strike was gathered by Stefan Hester.
After that initial scare, the visitors dictated possession and Celtic bombarded the Ballinrobe goal during the opening quarter. Basho Hay very nearly pinched the lead for the visitors during the embryonic stages of the tie, but his strike was saved by Sean Shaughnessy. Loftus was beginning to find pockets of space and he very nearly edged his team-mates ahead on three minutes but his header was thwarted by Sean Shaughnessy.
Luke Kelly appeared to have given Celtic the lead on 21 minutes, but his tidy finish was ruled out for offside. However, one minute later, the dominant guests were awarded a spot-kick after Josh Greaney was adjudged to have fouled the aforementioned Kelly inside the 18-yard box, despite vehement appeals by the locals. Loftus was given the dead-ball responsibility and he notched the first of his quartet of goals.
An eager Ballinrobe tried to regroup but their game plan suffered a further a set-back on 25 minutes. This time the effervescent Dylan Edwards was the provider as his splendid delivery found the loitering Loftus and his sumptuous finish from the edge of the box hit the top corner of Shaughnessy’s net.
Celtic were cutting a swathe through the Ballinrobe rearguard and the Hoops could well have trebled their lead on 29 minutes but after ghosting past the home defence, Kelly was aghast to see his strike trickle inches wide.
The Hoops continued to apply intense pressure and their craft and guile was once again rewarded on 41 minutes, when a chance was conjured up for the energetic Cathal Coyne and his crisp strike nestled into the net.
On the stroke of half-time, Ballinrobe had an opportunity to test the resolve of Hester when Town were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Darragh Forde’s strike, however, proved to be a routine save for the Celtic ‘keeper.
A positive start to the new half was imperative for Ballinrobe but their comeback hopes were dashed just four minutes in as an in-swinging corner-kick from Edwards found Loftus at the near post and the latter’s bullet header rustled the back of the net for his hat-trick.
The remainder of the contest was realistically a damage limitation exercise for the Robesiders, with chances falling to the hard-working Jonathan Lawrence, and Forde, but Hester’s goal remained intact.
There was never any danger that Stevie Gavin’s charges would ease off the gas and they notched a fifth goal on 51 minutes when Edwards arrowed home a cracking finish from an acute angle.
Town could well have pinched a consolation goal on 78 minutes when Ismael Aquino’s corner found Richard Dalton but the latter’s header thudded against the crossbar.
With just one minute of normal time remaining, a goal-hungry Celtic added further gloss to the full-time score-line. Some great approach play from Kelly culminated in Loftus receiving possession inside the box and he finished with aplomb to record his fourth, and Celtic’s sixth, goal of the day.
