Howley sends Celtic 'B' into Connacht final
Dylan Howley celebrates after netting the winner for Castlebar Celtic 'B' in the Connacht Shield semi-final. Picture: Castlebar Celtic FC
Iorras Aontaithe suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ at Celtic Park on Saturday evening in what was a keenly contested joust. In the end, Dylan Howley’s early second half strike for Castlebar proved to be the decisive moment from this clash. But Iorras can take plenty of positives from their brave display as the red and black continue to chart a promotion course from the Premier League and back to the top flight of Mayo football.
Celtic made a lively start to this game and the first chance of the evening fell to Celtic’s Dylan Howley on four minutes, whose strike forced Kian Gallagher to make a routine save. The hosts continued to search for an early lead, with another swerving effort from Howley forcing Gallagher to parry the ball away, with Gerry Hunt’s subsequent rebound blocked by an Iorras defender.
Iorras appeared to have weathered the early storm and the North Mayo men had an opportunity to fashion the lead goal on 10 minutes, but Peter McArthur’s drive from outside the box failed to find its intended target.
Castlebar almost took the lead towards the end of the opening quarter. Eoin Keane collected possession on the right-wing and his peach of an aerial delivery almost connected with the diving Dylan Howley, but the ball sailed harmlessly wide.
Iorras soaked up the early pressure and the red and black posed a threat whenever they played the ball over the top to bypass the Castlebar rearguard. Iorras Aontaithe striker Dara Padden was one of the visitor’s better performers on the day and the energetic striker was always trying to find that vital pocket of space and was eager to race onto a through ball.
Despite displaying plenty of gusto, both sides struggled to craft decent opportunities for the remainder of the half, however, Celtic almost received the perfect half-time fillip on 45 minutes when Ruairi Nevin collected possession, but his effort from an acute and difficult angle curled wide.
One minute into the new half the Hoops almost went ahead when Declan Ruane teed-up Ben McHale but his volley flashed narrowly wide.
Three minutes later, Castlebar almost claimed a fortuitous goal. Ben McHale’s delivery posed all sorts of problems for the guest’s rearguard with Billy O’Connor’s intervention almost ending up in the back of his own net, but the ball bounced wide for a corner-kick, much to the relief of Kian Gallagher.
Castlebar’s brighter start to the second half eventually paid dividends on 50 minutes. Ben McHale played a delightful ball into the path of Howley and from inside the box, the latter’s sweetly struck effort flew into the far corner of Gallagher’s net.
Iorras refused to be deterred and they did their utmost to get back into the joust, with Jamie Reilly’s exquisite delivery finding Oisin Reilly but the latter saw his close-range header thwarted by Jensen.
Howley then almost turned from goalscorer to provider on 63 minutes, when his majestic delivery found the roving Ciaran Gavin, but his strike lacked the sufficient accuracy.
A seasoned Castlebar outfit had plenty of experience to call upon and the introduction of Neil Douglas added a different outlet to the side, with Douglas’ craft and guile proving instrumental in the end.
Iorras’ final noteworthy opportunity fell to their midfielder McArthur, but the energetic midfielder saw his fine strike thwarted by Jack Jensen.
Castlebar had a couple of chances to add another towards the end of the game, but Neil Douglas’ strike failed to find the target while James Basquille’s late effort was saved by Gallagher.
Afterwards, Castlebar Celtic assistant coach Robbie Feeney was glad that his side had edged a tough battle.
“It was a very hard-fought win today. The wet weather made the pitch slippery and it was a bit of a lottery in the end. However, in saying that, there was some nice football played by both sides and Iorras are a very strong team. We (Castlebar Celtic) had our purple patch and Iorras had their purple patch, however we will gladly take the 1-0 victory in the end”.
At the interval the Celtic management encouraged more of the same from their troops for the second half, with the experienced substitute Neil Douglas playing a crucial role in the victory.
“We played well during the first 20 to 30 minutes of the game and at half-time we told them to play the same way during the second half. We were doing well and weren’t making that many mistakes and we said that eventually the goal would arrive”.
“Neil Douglas can control the game, reads the game excellently, and he is a great asset to the team”.
