The Gabriel Downes and Barry Redmond’s managed U-13 side were just too strong for a hard working Manulla outfit on Friday evening at the Rival Arena and claimed top spot in Section A of the Mayo League. Celtic dominated this game from start to finish will Goalkeeper Paul Walsh only called into action once and he was alert enough to snuff out the only Manulla’s only real chance of the game. The victory was built on the excellent display of the back four of Kenny Downes, Peter Minogue, Anthony Healy and Captain Conor Murray and their dominance allowed the superb midfield quartet of Evan Henegahan, Stephen McDermott, Sean Keaney and Jason Hunt to attack at every opportunity. The front two of Kieran Padden and Sean Tuffy caused the away side all sorts of problems with their intelligent runs. The home side put the visitors defence under tremendous pressure but were finding it difficult to get the opening score due to failing to take any of the number of chances that came their way and by last ditch Manulla tackling. Celtic did break the deadlock on 25 minutes when Peter Minogue fed Jason Hunt on the left wing and the impressive winger played in Sean Keaney who rounded two defenders before slotting the ball to the bottom of the Manulla net for the only goal of the first half. The second half saw the introduction of Eoin Togher, Barry Redmond and Jake Twomey and they all made a telling contribution to this victory. Celtic doubled their advantage when Kieran Padden brilliantly volleyed to the roof of the Manulla from a Hunt corner kick. Stephen McDermott added two further goals to seal Manulla’s fate.    

No Winner Of The Weekly Lotto

23/07/2010

There was no winner of the clubs weekly lotto jackpot of €10,600. The numbers drawn were 2, 9, 14 & 22. The €20 were Tina McHale C/o Baxter, Richard King Jrn, Roger Devin & Pat Nuaghton C/o Hoggs. The next draw will take place in the the Castle Inn on Thursday 23^rd July with the Jackpot @ €10,700. The lotto committee would like to thank the Flynn’s Bar for holding the draw and all the people who purchased tickets

Derby Delight For Celtic Girls

23/07/2010 

Castlebar Town 2-3 Castlebar Celtic

The Celtic U-16 girls made the short trip to Moneen to take on Castlebar Town in round 2 of the Mayo Schoolgirls league on Tuesday evening. The visitors were expecting a tough game as Town are well established at this age group and the local rivalry would be fierce. There wasn’t any thing between the teams in the opening twenty minutes, but a piece of magic from Nicole Redmond allowed her to get a pass to Laura Gavin who, although she had lots to do, showed great strength to finish strongly past the Town keeper. The lead didn’t last long however as the home team pressed forward and split the Celtic defence and scored a well deserved equaliser.

All to play for in the second half as both teams went for goals. Celtic were missing the influence of captain Aoife Carroll in defence and went a goal behind as Town found gaps in the new defensive line up. But that’s when Celtic lifted their game. Shauna Maloney and Laura Gavin took control in the centre of the park and with Sarah Prendergast making telling runs from the centre of defence it looked only a matter of time before an equaliser came. Indeed, it took until 4 minutes from the end of the regulation 80 that Sarah Prendergast lined up a 30 yd free kick that she planted just under the Town cross bar to set up a hectic finale.

Amy Robinson, Lana McGlade and Orla Barry were marshalling the defence now allowing Sarah Prendergast to operate as an extra mid fielder. With Geraldine Burke and Cloe Finn making strong runs down the wings, the strike pairing of Nicole Redmond & Aileen Collins were now getting some half chances. But the winning goal came from midfielder Shauna Maloney. She won the ball in a tackle 30 yards out and set off on a diagonal run to the right of the Town goal. Her shot come cross was then turned into the Town goal by a defender to leave Celtic 3 - 2 ahead with moments remaining. Celtic ran out 3 - 2 winners after a thoroughly entertaining game. Ailish Moran made an impressive debut at left back, as did Amy Robinson at right back. Orla Barry was commanding at centre half, while Kathleen Conway dealt with everything that came her way in goal. Lana McGlade looked very comfortable when she came on to replace Ailish Moran, and Shauna Maloney worked tirelessly in midfield along with Laura Gavin. Geraldine Burke & Cloe Finn always looked dangerous going forward and never forgot their defensive duties. Aileen Collins & Nicole Redmond were involved in every thing the team did going forward, and helped out round midfield when needed. Sarah Prendergast capped off a fine debut with a super goal. Catriona O'Toole and Reina Duffy didn’t get to partake in this game, but there is a long season to go.

Celtic Move Clear Of Relegation Trapdoor (Connaught Telegraph)

22/07/2010 

Castlebar Celtic 2-1 Charlestown Athletic

REJUVENATED Castlebar Celtic lifted themselves four points clear of the Mayo Super League trapdoor with a dramatic victory over Swinford at Celtic Park on Sunday. A goal in the dying moments by substitute Mark Rowland helped them draw level with their opponents in fifth place with 17 points from 13 games. Although Celtic are far from out of the woods in a fascinating relegation battle, Rowland’s magnificent finish could prove invaluable. The experienced striker displayed his pedigree by powering the ball sweetly past Swinford custodian Shane Holleran following intelligent play by Shane Smyth. The game had taken a significant turn seven minutes earlier when Swinford midfielder Paudí Noone was red-carded after picking up his second booking for a late tackle on Barry McLoughlin.   But Swinford, full of fire and purpose under manager Alan Gough, almost snatched a dramatic equaliser.

Forceful central defender David Brennan directed a headed effort out of the reach of Celtic goalkeeper Joe McDonald but the ball rebound off the underside of the crossbar to let the home side off the hook. In an absorbing contest, Celtic took the lead after 34 minutes when the hardworking Shane Smyth’s shot from an acute angle flashed past Holleran. Swinford responded positively and were back on level terms early in the second half when Trevor McDonnell converted a penalty. The spot-kick was awarded for a handball infringement by Adrian O’Brien. While O’Brien may have been at fault in that instance, his overall display was both inspirational and courageous.

The Celtic defence was under pressure after conceding the equaliser, but O’Brien, Ollie Cunningham, Stephen Fitzgerald and Eamon Crean were in no mood to concede from open play. While Rowland’s late winner may have been a little harsh on Swinford, credit was due to Celtic for refusing to settle for a draw. On this evidence, neither of these sides will be relegated in a season in which four teams drop down to a lower division. Celtic:  J. McDonald, S. Fitzgerald, E. Crean, O. Cunningham, A. O’Brien, B. McLoughlin, S. Staunton, S. Smyth, E. Feeney, K. Lynch, J. Maloney. Subs used: J. Daly, M. Rowland, F. McHale

Unstoppable Hoops Complete Glorious Double (Tom Kelly)

22/07/2010 

Castlebar Celtic 8-0 Charlestown Athletic

CASTLEBAR Celtic confirmed their status as the outstanding team at Under 14 level in the county by winning the Mayo Cup final in resounding style at Milebush Park on Sunday. They outclassed a spirited Charlestown Athletic side in a decider that never looked to be in any doubt once the league champions opened their account in the 17^th minute of a lopsided encounter.

The pre-match fears that the clash would prove a mismatch provide justified. Celtic had won the Premier Division by winning 10 games out of 10 while Charlestown finished bottom of the division below the county town club with just two wins to their credit. The fact Charlestown had defeated Claremorris and Iorras Aontaithe on the way to the final ensured Celtic were not complacent and they started like a side intent on getting the job done early. As it turned out, Celtic did not open their account until the 17^th minute. This was due to Charlestown goalkeeper Ken Brennan keeping his side in the match with a strong of decent saves. But the east Mayo club’s luck could not hold against an attack spearheaded by the richly talented Noe Baba, who is unstoppable at this level of the sport. He struck Celtic’s opening goal after being set up by Mark Howley’s penetrating pass. Stephen McDermott executed the second goal when he reacted quickest to Brennan dropping Baba’s stinging free kick from 30 yards. Cathal Lisibach made it 3-0 when he rolled the ball into the net from close range after being set up by the indefatigable Baba, and Baba helped himself to Celtic’s fourth goal before half time.

Baba was switched to midfield in the second half where he proved a hugely influential figure in the creation of Celtic’s four second-half goals. James Byrne registered the fifth Castlebar goal before the energetic McDermott earned his cup final hat trick with two goals in swift succession. The eighth and final Celtic goal was executed by substitute Dylan Ralph following good work by two other Celtic substitutes, Colm Quinn and Kevin Canning.  Although Baba was the game’s outstanding player by some distance, it was a fitting gesture by the Mayo Schoolboys & Youths League to give the man of the match award to the Charlestown custodian, Ken Brennan.

Celtic: A. Chambers, C. Ludden, M. Howley, G. Walsh, S. Keaney, S. McDermott, C. Lisibach, P. Walsh, N. Baba, D. Murray, J. Hunt.

Subs used: J. Byrne, D. Ralph, C. Quinn, D. Coll, K. Canning