Westport comeback secures share of El Clasico spoils

Elverys Sports Super League 

Castlebar Celtic 2 

Westport United 2 

John Corless at Celtic Park 

Westport United produced a remarkable second-half recovery to rescue a point from Sunday's Super League clash with Castlebar Celtic at Celtic Park.

Trailing by two goals at the interval and having been second best for much of the opening half, the visitors returned with renewed purpose to earn a draw in a contest that swung dramatically after the break.

Whatever was said in the Westport dressing room at half-time clearly had the desired effect. The visitors emerged with far greater urgency, taking the initiative after a first half that had largely belonged to Celtic.

The hosts absorbed an encouraging opening from Westport before taking the lead after ten minutes. Dylan Felle rounded advancing goalkeeper Gary Cunningham before calmly finishing to the net. Felle and Jason Hunt had both threatened beforehand, while Darren Browne had Westport's best early opportunity. Westport almost responded immediately when Jack Dawson just failed to connect with Alex Halpin's inviting cross.

Celtic continued to ask most of the questions, with Daniel Ajenipa at the centre of much of their attacking play. Enjoying an excellent run of form, he repeatedly caused problems for Westport right-back Cillian McGlade. His first chance followed a trademark run through the defence, Cunningham denied him when Johnny Cocozza played him through, and he later fired over the crossbar after another dangerous move.

Brian Walsh came within millimetres of doubling Celtic's advantage when his header from Hunt's free kick struck the crossbar. Cocozza's follow-up effort was blocked before Fionn McHale, pushing forward from full-back, saw a shot deflected behind. Ajenipa then opted for an ambitious overhead kick from another Hunt delivery when a straightforward header may have been the better option. At the other end, Darragh Reynolds, Westport's brightest performer during the first half, sent an effort over the bar.

Celtic deservedly extended their lead in first-half stoppage time. Walsh delivered an excellent cross, and Felle glanced his header into the corner for his second of the afternoon, leaving Westport with a significant task after struggling to gain control in midfield.

The visitors looked transformed after the restart. They pressed higher, moved the ball quicker and played with far greater intensity, forcing Celtic back.

Alex Halpin headed over from a cross by his brother Cian before Dan O'Malley was relieved to see the assistant referee's flag raised after he failed to convert from close range when it appeared easier to score.

Westport's improvement was rewarded ten minutes into the second half. Kevin Kitterick's pass found Alex Halpin, who finished confidently to reduce the deficit. Within a minute Halpin thought he had another, only for Celtic goalkeeper Stefan Hester to somehow keep his header from crossing the line with an outstretched foot.

The momentum had firmly shifted. Jack Dawson fired over before Westport finally drew level when Dan O'Malley turned home Cian Halpin's cross to complete the comeback.

Both sides chased a winner during an absorbing final spell. Referee Damien McGrath was forced to produce several yellow cards as the intensity increased. The clearest opportunity fell to Cian Halpin, but he took an extra touch in front of goal and the chance disappeared before he could get the ball onto his preferred foot.

Given the contrasting fortunes of each half, a draw was probably the outcome neither side could have too many complaints about after an entertaining and fiercely contested encounter.

Stevie Gavin admitted Castlebar Celtic were left frustrated after letting a two-goal lead slip, although he felt there were still plenty of positives to take from the performance.

“We're 2-0 up at half-time and to give away a two-goal lead is very disappointing,” the Celtic boss told the Western People. “We're disappointed with ourselves.” Despite conceding twice after the interval, the Celtic manager believed his side responded well to the setback.

“I thought the reaction was good,” he said. “They were on top for a few minutes after they got the second goal, but I felt we got a hold of the game again. We probably had three good chances in the last five minutes that could have won it. They had a few chances as well, I thought we were very good in the first half. But that's football. You can't have it all your own way and you can't live in a bubble of success and victories. It's a point and we're still very happy with the points tally we've built up.” 

Westport captain Jack Dawson said his side were “shocking” during the opening half but was full of praise for his side's dramatic response after recovering from two goals down to earn a draw.

“We started the game really badly,” he said. “We said at half time, we'd let the shackles off in the second half and just go for it. That's something we don't normally do at Celtic Park or in these big games. We definitely had good chances to nick it. We got on the front foot and really went after them. In the end, though, we'll take the draw.” 

Castlebar Celtic: Stefan Hester; Fionn McHale, Mark Cunningham, Brian Walsh, Paul McDermott; Johnny Cocozza, Oran Murphy, Fionn Mahon; Jason Hunt, Dylan Felle, Daniel Ajenipa. Subs: Oisin Tighe (for Murphy 50), Ioseph O’Reilly and Luke Kelly (for McHale and Felle 60).

Westport United: Gary Cunningham: Mark McDonagh, Harrison Quinn, Cillian White, Cillian Mc Glade (Seán Casey 24); Jack Dawson, Darragh Reynolds (Fionn O’Hora 86), Serhii Morarenko (Cian Halpin 46), Alex Halpin; Darren Browne (Dan O’Malley 48), Kevin Kitterick. Subs: Sean Casey (for McGlade 24), Cian Halpin (for Morarenko 46), Dan O’Malley (for Browne 48), Fionn O’Hora (for Reynolds 86).

REF: Damien McGrath.