Five-star Castlebar Celtic send message to Mayo title rivals

Reigning Mayo Super League champions Castlebar Celtic sent a message to the rest of their title rivals after they defeated Ballyheane 5-1 this evening.

The Hoops were on it from the start, with Jason Hunt and Daniel Ajenipa outstanding throughout, and the latter put the home side in front with a well-taken individual goal on the half hour mark.

A big point of contention arrived two minutes later when Ben Edeh thought he had levelled it for Ballyheane, but it was disallowed for an offside in the buildup. The visitors were furious, but the decision stood after the referee consulted with his linesman. Their frustration was compounded when Hunt doubled Celtic’s lead shortly before half-time after skipping past two Ballyheane defenders.

Ballyheane pulled a goal back on 52 minutes when Dan Purcell, just seconds after coming on, picked out Nathan Reilly Doyle and the striker finished well. Seven minutes later, Celtic’s two-goal cushion was restored as Ajenipa squared it to Dylan Felle, who finished from six yards.

Any doubts about the result were ended when Celtic struck on 70 and 74 minutes through Fionn McHale and Ajenipa’s second of the evening, as Stevie Gavin’s side moved three points clear of Westport United, who they will meet this Sunday afternoon with the chance to double their lead at the top of the table.

*See Tuesday’s Western People for full coverage.