Celtic lose nothing in defeat

ULTIMATELY, Sunday’s Connacht Cup final ended in heartbreak for Castlebar Celtic.
But when emotions mend and mature recollection comes calling, there will be many positives to take for the famous old club.
Those fortunate enough to be in Milebush for the big game will have been part of a happy, heaving mass of bodies which made the Mayo League HQ throb with excitement from first whistle to last.
One of the biggest crowds in the history of the venue turned out to see the clash between the province’s heavyweights and the noise and colour generated added to a memorable occasion under sunny skies.
In front of the stand, the Celtic ‘Ultras’ had gathered and they sang and banged drums all through the game. Their tonal offerings indicate that they will probably never get to represent Ireland in the Eurovision, but that didn’t deter them in the slightest.
Beside them, two friends who had been hoping for a quieter afternoon were deep in conversation. “Did you get much sleep last night?” one asked the other.
“Just 40 minutes,” the other asked as the big Celtic drum boomed beside him.
Nearby, another group of locals watched anxiously as Celtic poured forward looking for a goal. They reminisced about their own playing days and one Sunday, in particular, dominated their conversation.
“Do you remember that day we won above in Galway? I scored and thought I was a great lad. The next day I got the Irish Press thinking my name would be in the results section, but forgot that I was supposed to be Kevin Ryan that day and there was his name in black and white when I opened the paper. That’s as close as I ever got to being in the paper!” explained the disappointed Ryan impostor.
On the clubhouse side of the ground some of the Celtic legends had gathered.
The real Kevin Ryan was there as was Fergie McEllin and Michael McNicholas, all urging on their home club and telling everyone around them that one Celtic goal would win the game. How right they were!
Half-time arrived with the game still scoreless, but the early stages of the second half belonged to the Castlebar boys and they swarmed all over the Athenry lads.
Paul Walsh hit the post and the Milebush air was filled with throbbing excitement. 
To the delight of the man who enjoyed just 40 minutes sleep on Saturday night, the Celtic choir and their drum had moved to the ‘Town End’ for the second half and the crowd in front of the stand had a slightly quieter afternoon. 
The fourth official had a busy afternoon keeping an eye on both benches, making sure only the team manager stood in the technical area and keeping a supply of new footballs flowing on to the pitch when required.
The man in black was constantly up and down the line keeping everyone under control but during one break in play, Celtic coach Declan Flynn defused any sense of conflict when he somehow figured out the origins of the official.
“Where you from, South Yorkshire?” Flynn asked. “No! North Yorkshire,” he answered. “Whereabouts?” the coach wondered with great interest. Soon, the match was back on again and all thoughts of geographical origins were banished to the back burner.
Chances came and went at both ends without the net being shaken and tension mounted with every passing second.
Extra-time arrived as a cold breeze blew across the ground but there was no getting away from the sense that one goal would secure glory for the Castlebar boys.
However, that golden score never arrived and when the added time concluded we were headed for a penalty shoot-out. That sporting Russian Roulette brings its own sense of excitement and hundreds of young fans raced to get in position behind the ‘Town’ goal where the spot kicks would be taken. 
“Come on Steph. Not a bother to ya lad! Save one and you’ll never have to buy a pint again and you’ll have the freedom of the town!” one man roared in towards the Celtic netminder. I’m not sure whether the prospect of free beer and letting his sheep graze on The Mall had any impact on the big Celtic goalkeeper, but he made did his very best to get his hands to the five Athenry penalties. Sadly, they were hit with great accuracy and power and when the day concluded it was the men in maroon who danced in the sunshine.
Celtic were understandably heartbroken and a sense of dejection hovered over them as they gathered in the centre of the pitch. They had played fine football and dominated much of the game, but the ball just wouldn’t go into the net and Athenry went home with the cup.
Sport can be cruel sometimes, but Celtic’s season is far from over and their huge support may get the chance to sing, bang drums and have fun together in the coming weeks. Sunday was a special day in Milebush.
The result didn’t go Celtic’s way, but memories were made on and off the pitch.