Five-star Celtic book place in Super Cup final
Claremorris midfielder Óisin Brady with Niall Brennan and Óisin Tighe of Castlebar Celtic and James Morley of Claremorris. Picture: John Corless
Castlebar Celtic demonstrated the depth of their squad at Concannon Park on Sunday, making a number of changes from last week’s loss to Evergreen in the FAI Junior Cup but still producing a convincing victory over Claremorris to reach the Mayo Super Cup final.
Three goals inside the opening 27 minutes effectively decided the semi-final, with Danny Ajenipa, Luke Kelly and Dylan Edwards putting Celtic firmly in control. Mark Cunningham and Kelly added two more after the break as the visitors completed a comfortable afternoon.
Celtic lined out without Stefan Hester, Johnny Cocozza, Jason Hunt, Oran Murphy, Fionn Mahon and Aiden McHale - all rested from the starting eleven, but the replacements ensured there was no reduction in quality. Claremorris were missing Mark Maloney. Their key player was on the bench but did not feature.
Three minutes in, Kelly supplied the cross and Ajenipa finished neatly to put Celtic ahead. Claremorris had needed to stay in touch with the visitors for as long as possible but instead found themselves chasing the game almost from the beginning.
Celtic captain Cunningham felt the breakthrough encouraged his side to push on rather than protect what they had.
“We knew the first goal would be hard to get, but we got it after three minutes, so we were delighted,” he told the Western People. “That just pushed us on then.” Celtic were comfortable on the tight Concannon Park pitch. They varied their play, often moving the ball through a crowded midfield and used short combinations to work their way into attacking positions.
Mark Rattigan threatened after eight minutes when his effort found the side netting. He was replaced a few minutes later, after taking a knock The second goal came after 20 minutes. Ben Murphy played the ball through the middle and Kelly fired home to double Celtic’s advantage. Seven minutes later it was 3-0. Brian Walsh picked out Edwards and the unmarked Celtic player finished to leave Claremorris facing a long way back with more than an hour still to play.
Claremorris manager James Kavanagh accepted afterwards that Celtic had been ruthless when his side made mistakes.
“They capitalised on it, and that’s what good teams do,” he said.
Conor Dennedy fired over the hosts’ first effort shortly afterwards, but Celtic continued to create the better opportunities. Óisin Tighe became increasingly influential as the half progressed. He supplied Kelly after 36 minutes and the striker turned well before forcing an excellent save from Keith Saunders. Kelly had another chance seven minutes later when Paul McDermott crossed, but his effort went over.
Claremorris produced a promising move just before the interval when Oisin Brady delivered for Noel Mellett, but his effort was saved by Peter Basquelle.
Any hope that the break might disrupt Celtic’s rhythm disappeared four minutes after the restart.
Edwards swung over a corner and Cunningham met it from a difficult angle on the near side. His angled volley found the net when it seemed impossible, making it 4-0. Kelly completed his own impressive afternoon on the hour. He cheekily chipped over Saunders for his second goal and Celtic’s fifth.
By then the outcome was beyond doubt, but Celtic continued to create chances as some of their more familiar names were introduced.
Hunt almost made an immediate impact, striking the post in the 64th minute. He sent another effort over eight minutes later as Claremorris struggled to contain Celtic’s fresh legs.
McHale produced a remarkable run after 79 minutes, carrying possession for almost three-quarters of the pitch and beating several opponents before shooting narrowly wide. Kelly came within millimetres of completing his hat-trick when he struck the post two minutes later. McHale then got forward again and sent a low cross towards Hunt, who put his effort wide. Another substitute, Fionn Mahon broke through the tiring Claremorris defence, but he missed the target with four minutes remaining.
Claremorris did have more opportunities during the second half as Celtic became less relentless. Simon Butler twice shot over, while Dennedy and Brady also missed the target and James Morley forced a save.
Despite the scoreline, Noel Mellett and Ryan McLoughlin played well for Claremorris. Óisin Tighe produced his best display for Celtic since his move from Ballina Town and was involved repeatedly in their attacking play.
Kelly’s contribution extended well beyond his two goals. Once used primarily as an option from the bench to attack tiring defences, he has developed considerably as a target man. He held possession, brought others into the game and continually provided an outlet through the middle.
But Mark Cunningham was the player of the match after an accomplished performance at centre back in place of Ioseph O’Reilly, capped by his spectacular goal.
The Celtic captain believes competition for places is driving the team.
“Our depth is unreal,” Cunningham said. “Anyone on our bench would walk onto any team.” Kavanagh was equally clear about the quality Claremorris had encountered. He described Celtic as a strong and fit team and felt their recent schedule of competitive matches was evident in their performance.
Ballina Town now await Castlebar Celtic in the Super Cup final, and they have the small matter of retention of the Super League title on the near horizon as well. They sit six points behind Westport United with two games in hand and still have to meet the league leaders.
Cunningham was reluctant to predict how much silverware Celtic will collect before the season ends, but made no secret of what he wants.
“I’d love to win both of them and put a few more trophies in the cabinet,” he said.
Claremorris: Keith Saunders: Jason Murphy, Noel Mellett, Ryan McLoughlin, Finn McLoughlin: Óisin Brady, Simon Butler, James Morley: Ben Joyce, Conor Dennedy, Liam McCormack. Subs: Mikie Heaney (for Butler 60), Conor O’Keeffe and Cathal Walsh (for Joyce and McCormack 68), Ciaran McGrath (for Dennedy 74), Ben Smyth (for R McLoughlin 81).
Castlebar Celtic: Peter Basquelle; Mark Rattigan, Mark Cunnigham, Brian Walsh, Paul McDermott; Niall Brennan, Ben Murphy, Dylan Edwards; Óisin Tighe, Luke Kelly, Danny Ajenipa. Subs: Fionn McHale (for Rattigan 12), Oran Murphy, Jason Hunt and Fionn Mahon (for Brennan, B Murphy and Edwards 64), Aiden McHale (for Ajenipa 70).
REF: Damien McGrath.
