Celtic find that bit extra to book final spot
Castlebar Celtic's Eoghan Hughes powers forward. Picture: John Corless
Castlebar Celtic scored three goals in extra time to see off St John’s Athletic at Lecarrow on Easter Sunday afternoon and reach another Connacht Cup final.
The holders showed composure, experience, and ruthlessness when it counted most. This was an end to end cup tie, played in a sporting manner between two sides that wanted to win.
“It was a Connacht Cup semi-final, and we genuinely didn’t expect anything less than what we got,” Celtic manager Stevie Gavin told the . “St John’s had huge pride, and they put it up to us. Semi-finals are all about winning and I thought our experience in extra time and our know how and footballing ability saw us through.” Celtic settled first. Johnnie Cocozza broke the high St John’s line after six minutes but sent his shot wide. Then, on nine minutes, Dylan Edwards took a short corner to Niall Brennan, who advanced towards the box before being tripped by home captain Leonard Simon. Referee John O’Connor pointed to the spot, and Jordan Loftus struck the penalty low to the ’keeper’s left, to open the scoring.
The goal sparked a strong response from the hosts. Cian Kelly forced two excellent saves from Stefan Hester in the Celtic goal. Jamie Tiernan had a shot blocked by Ioseph O’Reilly. It was St John’s best spell.
Celtic sat deeper and let the hosts press. Oran Groarke screened the defence well. Cocozza and Brennan began to influence things in the middle. Loftus sent Jason Hunt through but he fired over. Hunt missed again minutes later.
Celtic couldn’t kill the game off. St John’s had most of the ball but struggled to break down a tight Celtic back four where O’Reilly, Cathal Coyne, Mark Cunningham and Brian Walsh were solid, if busy. Brian Walsh broke out once but his shot was cleared by Jack O’Beirne. Brennan had another chance saved by Aidan Fallon. It looked like Celtic would reach the break still ahead. Then, on 43 minutes, Simon played Kelly in. His low shot deflected off Hester’s foot and into the net to send the sides in level at the break.
Brennan teed up Loftus again after the restart but the shot went over. At the other end, Kelly turned provider and crossed for Kevin Brennan, whose shot came off the post. Celtic responded. Hunt missed again.
St John’s came close when Tiernan had one effort cleared off the line by Mark Cunningham and another pulled wide. Celtic made changes. Eoghan Hughes came on for Edwards. Luke Kelly replaced Hunt.
Kelly’s impact was instant. On 73 minutes, after good interplay between Hughes and Loftus, Kelly cut in from the wing, beat his man, and rifled across Fallon to make it 2-1 to Celtic. It was an excellent finish from the young striker.
St John’s stayed in it. Ronan Morris headed over from an Eamon Harney free. Kelly and Rob Keenan both went close from distance. With three minutes remaining, a loose clearance fell to Daire Keenan, who struck it cleanly to level the match again, and forcing extra time.
Celtic’s experience showed in the extra twenty.
Luke Kelly had a chance inside the first minute of the extra period but shot at Fallon. Then, on 94 minutes, Brian Walsh curled a free into the box and Kelly rose highest to power home his second to put Celtic in front again.
St John’s pushed up - chasing the game. This opened up space and gave Celtic opportunities to break. Kevin Brennan sent one over the bar for St John’s. Loftus tried a long-range lob with Fallon off his line but it missed the target. On 104 minutes, on a Celtic break, Hughes sent Loftus in. The finish was low and accurate. At four-two the game was over.
With ten of St John’s players pushed up in search of a lifeline, Celtic dealt the killer blow. Fionn Mahon broke from deep, running the length of the pitch to fire home Celtic’s fifth. Referee John O’Connor was unimpressed with Mahon’s shirtless goal celebration and gave him a second yellow which will keep him out of the final against Mervue in a few weeks’ time. It was a harsh punishment for the young midfielder who has been excellent for Celtic when introduced, all season. But it underlines yet again, the folly of picking up needless yellow cards along the way. Five minutes before he scored, Mahon had knocked the ball out of a St John’s player’s hands as he was getting ready to take a throw in. It was a petulant and costly act drawing the first yellow. Hopefully, the young man will learn that yellow cards should earn their keep.
Paul Walsh replaced Groarke to close it out. Celtic were through to the final despite not playing well for spells in the game. St John’s gave it a right good go. They are a good side and will benefit from the experience of playing a Connacht Cup semi-final for the first time.
Jordan Loftus with two goals to his name and an (I dread to use the word) assist. He tortured St John’s, varying his play from the centre circle to the goal line. He was provider and finisher and all the home side could do was admire his talents.
“Fair play to St John’s. They are a good side,” acknowledged Loftus. “They are a good strong, physical, dogged side and they put it up to us. They have my utmost respect. It was a tough match. They made us work for it, and after 110 minutes last week, I’m very, very proud of the lads playing another 100 minutes today.
“We tried to play our passing game and they contained us. I couldn’t find any space. They were very solid defensively and in the middle. It was a defensive masterclass. But we’re delighted to get through to the final again.” Niall Brennan had a fine game for Celtic and Eoghan Hughes made a big difference from the bench in a Celtic reshuffle. Cathal Coyne did not put a foot wrong, especially as the match went on. Cian Kelly was excellent for St John’s, as was Leonard Simon and Daire Keenan but it wasn’t enough. Castlebar Celtic are back in the final with a real chance of defending their Connacht Cup title.
