Celtic turn on style to advance in FAI Cup

This Castlebar Celtic team have a habit of making history and they did so again last Sunday after they advanced to the second round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup following a 4-1 win over North End United.

The result means that they go into the hat for the second round draw, which takes place on June 5, and repeat the club’s heroics of 2006, where they also reached the second round of the competition.

Matters were far from straightforward for Stevie Gavin’s side, who were without Oran Groarke, Niall Brennan, Jason Hunt and Jordan Loftus. Celtic’s renowned squad depth came to the fore again as Fionn Mahon, Ben Murphy, Luke Kelly and Eoghan Hughes all stepped up with big performances.

“During the week, we had the plan going up. We knew we were missing four starters but we had a game plan and kind of stuck to it,” club captain Ioseph O’Reilly told the Western People. "We knew the bodies coming in were well capable, it’s the strength we have now and and get a result against the likes of North End, who are in the Junior Cup final is unbelievable.” 

A week previously, North End had beaten Celtic’s conquerors Salthill Devon after extra-time. Given Celtic had taken Salthill to extra-time themselves, O’Reilly said it gave them the belief that they could go down and get a big result.

That they did thanks to a brace from Dylan Edwards, and one each from Eoghan Hughes and Luke Kelly. Hughes has been a big performer in the absence of Jordan Loftus. He netted a brace against Westport United in the FAI Junior Cup and he delivered again on the big stage, scoring the opening goal of the game, as well as the 2025 FAI Cup. O’Reilly lauded Hughes and his entire side for their performance.

“(Eoghan) was my man at the match, I know Dylan got two goals and he to be fair was exceptional as well. But Hughes was unbelievable. He just showed his sheer strength and power and they couldn't deal with him. I think the three in the middle were outstanding as well, Ben Murphy, Coco and Fionn.

“Hughes) is just sheer power and direct, and where Jordan can kind of drop in and can kind of do both, Hughes is just direct, which I love that about him.

“We kind of played a back five, we had three centre halves and then we had Mark Howley and Mark Cunningham, right and left wing back. We had the legs there for them to go up and down “They didn't really threaten us, to be honest. They got a penalty and we had done our homework on them. If we let them have the ball in the left and right back areas and just let them keep it.

There was once or twice where they brought through. They'd one big chance in the first half, but he was flagged offside.” 

There will be no guarantee of a home draw in the second round, which will be played on the weekend of July 20, but O’Reilly hopes they can get a home draw, not just for the side but the entire club, town and soccer community in Mayo.

“You want to get a top club at home because it kind of gives back to the committee and the club. They get a bit of revenue through the gate and hopefully it’ll fill out Celtic Park.”