THE MEETING of these local rivals in a wet and windy Celtic Park last Sunday proved to be a thrilling contest. Celtic started the game at a very high tempo and deservedly went ahead on ten minutes. Stephen Jennings the scorer with a superb right-footed volley from outside the box, that eluded Snugboro keeper Keith Gillick.

Celtic continued to create chances with Declan Reilly and Sean Walsh both going narrowly close. However, as they game wore on, Snugboro started to come back into the fold.  Declan Shaw had just already spurned one chance before he equalised on twenty-five minutes, beating Alan Reilly with a low right-foot drive.

Snugboro now started to turn the screw, and ten minutes later they were 2-1 up. Celtic were caught on the counter attack having cheaply given away possession. A fine through ball put sub David Hickey trough after he had ran from his own half. From there he cut in on his left foot to curl a shot into the bottom corner. Celtic appeals for offside were waved away by ref Liam McEntee.

The hosts should have equalised on the half-time whistle when Wesley Hurst shaved the post with a free header from a Stephen Jennings corner.

Celtic did not have to wait long for the equaliser however.  Five minutes into the second half Paul Maye found the back of the net with a close range effort.  Both sides at this stage were giving it all without much end product. 

On the hour Declan Shaw bagged his second to put the visitors 3-2 up with a tap-in after Celtic keeper Alan Reilly spilled a shot into his path. 

With twenty minutes to go, Celtic intoduced veteran Kevin Ryan.  Ryan made an immediate impact, causing all sorts of problems for the Snugboro rearguard.

Ten minutes from the end and it was from Ryan’s flick-on that found Declan Reilly, who slotted home.  It was a similar move that nearly won the three points for Celtic, with Ryan again winning in the air.  However, Paul Maye could not connect with the goal at his mercy.

Castlebar Celtic B: Alan Reilly, Brian McNulty, Tony Murray, Joe McDonald, Adrian O’Brien, Declan Reilly, Wesley Hurst, Brian McLoughlin, Stephen Jennings, Sean Walsh, Mark Rowland.

Subs: Kieran Hopkins for Brian McLoughlin, Paul Maye for Mark Rowland (inj), Kevin Ryan for Sean Walsh, Noel Cusack for Joe McDonald.

Snugboro United: Keith Gillick, Colin Corrigan, Anthony Healy, Kieran Murphy, Declan Conway, Stephen Murphy, David Roughneen, Johan Collins, Declan Shaw, Danny Lawless, Barry Kelly.

Subs: David Hickey for Danny Lawless, Dara Duffy for Kieran Murphy.

Ref: Liam McEntee