Massive Mayo derby confirmed for FAI Junior Cup
Castlebar Celtic’s Liam Flatley in action against Westport United’s Cillian McGlade during the Westaro Cup semi-final earlier this season. The sides will meet again the FAI Junior Cup next month Picture: David Farrell Photography
At least one team from the Mayo Football League is guaranteed a place in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup following the draw earlier this afternoon.
In what is set to be one of the biggest ‘Mayo El Clasico’s’ in living memory, Castlebar Celtic will host Westport United in Round 5 at Celtic Park.
Celtic have enjoyed a stellar 2024. They successfully retained the Super League title, won the Westaro Cup and Calor Gas Super Cup and won the Connacht Cup for a record tenth time.
The Hoops will certainly go in as favourites. They were unbeaten against Westport this season, drawing their league game at Celtic Park while defeating them 3-0 in the reverse fixture as well as enjoying a 4-1 win in United Park in the Westaro Cup semi-final.
United, now under new management in Anthony O’Neill, have a special relationship with this competition, however. They remain the only Mayo club to win the Junior Cup (back in 2005) and will certainly not fear a trip to Celtic Park, where a bumper crowd is expected.
There is also a home tie for Ballyheane, who are drawn against Meath side Rathoath Harps. Ashley Stevenson’s side had an excellent 3-2 win away to Ayrfield United (Dublin) last weekend and have a strong chance in advancing against Rathoath, who have had an indifferent start to their league campaign thus far.
The ties are set for the weekend of January 18/19.
