Back-to-back league and cup success for Westport
Westport United’s Dara Dawson holds off Castlebar Celtic’s Jack McNicholas. Picture: John Corless
Westport United retained the Quigley Cup after a dour affair with ten-man Castlebar Celtic on Sunday afternoon to secure the League and Cup double.
A first half goal, headed in by Micheál Joyce from Seán Casey’s corner after 36 minutes, was the decisive strike of the day. Joao Pereira Nenes saw red from referee Jimmy Cawley on the stroke of half-time for an indiscretion, to steepen the hill for Castlebar in the second half.
But despite the numerical disadvantage, and the size of the pitch, Celtic put it up to Westport for most of the second period and will probably feel unlucky not to get something from the game.
In an opening quarter which was even enough, neither side got near the opposition goal. Westport had more possession and did what Westport sides do – they passed it around, often laterally, without any penetration.
Casey sent in a corner after 23 minutes, but player of the match Darragh Reynolds just couldn’t connect with his header. A couple of minutes later, Cathal Howley, on the break, fed the lively Seán McGreal but his shot from too far out, was poor and wide. He had time and space, if he realised it, and might have put Westport in front. But cup finals are a beast of their own, and the youngster, on a different occasion, probably would have found the net.
The Westport goal and the Castlebar red card were the only noteworthy incidents in the opening period.
Celtic came out for the restart with a great energy and determination. They won similar tackles to the ones they lost in the first half, and it seemed like they would equalise. But every time they pushed up, the numerical disadvantage went against them. They kept trying, however, and for long periods were the better team.
“Moral victories are no good,” Celtic boss Declan Kilkelly told the after the game. “We didn’t do enough to win the game. We didn’t create enough chances. You go a man down, your backs are to the wall then.” Oran Murphy had a shot parried by the excellent Westport goalkeeper, Daithí Nevin, and Shay Gavin fired the rebound narrowly wide. Adam Burton went on a good run but unfortunately for Celtic, there was nobody in front of goal to tap it in.
At the other end, Westport should have gone two-up on 55 minutes, but substitute, Daniel Swiniarski Carvalho’s header from McGreal’s cross, missed the target. Celtic took inspiration from the let off and pressed, and their substitute, Paddy Hope’s low cross was well claimed by the goalkeeper.
For Westport, Fionn McLoughlin saw his shot saved by Ryan Kilkelly and a few minutes later, he went on a good run, feeding Casey, but Kilkelly tipped it over expertly.
Celtic put another good move together as Nathan Heneghan and Kian Redmond combined well, but Gavin shot from too far out and the wind deflected it wide. Celtic were really feeling the absence of the eleventh man; often simply not having an option in their many attacks.
Dara Dawson had a shot saved by Kilkelly, and Casey sent one over. In stoppage time, Reynolds was unlucky with a long-range shot and, for Celtic, Oran Murphy had a free kick palmed over by Nevin to keep the score at 1-0.
Reynolds, Adam Moran and Casey were best for the winners; Ryan Kilkelly, Colm Clarke and Oran Murphy were best for Castlebar Celtic.
“It’s a nice way to finish off the season,” Westport coach Cillian McGlade said afterwards. “That’s the double for us. They are a great bunch of lads. You can see the talent. We’re delighted to get over the line.
“We made things hard for ourselves in the second half, but we deserved it in the end. It was a tight game, and we knew it would be against Celtic. It was set piece that won us the game, and we had worked on this during the week. It was a game of small margins and we came out the right side.”
