Castlebar Celtic edge past ten-man Athenry to reach Connacht Cup semi-final

Connacht Cup Quarter-Final

Castlebar Celtic 2                            

Kelly 28, Edwards 90+6

Athenry 1

Walsh OG 61

In Celtic Park

Castlebar Celtic avenged last year’s Connacht Cup Final defeat to Athenry, by knocking the Galway side out of this year’s competition, at a windy, Celtic Park, on Saturday evening.

Goals by Luke Kelly and Dylan Edwards were enough to see the home side through in a tight contest played at a frantic pace.

The visitors took the game to Celtic for much of the match, especially in the second half.

While Athenry pumped long balls forward, marquee striker Cole Connolly got little change out of Ioseph O’Reilly at the heart of the Celtic defence.

When Athenry did score, it was from the unlikeliest of scenarios. A harmless back pass from Brian Walsh deceived Stefan Hester and the ball trickled to the net with an hour gone.

It was cruel luck for the young ‘keeper who had little to do throughout the match, but he regained his composure to deny Connolly five minutes later.

Athenry lost Stephen Relihan to a straight red for a tackle on Jordan Loftus on 36 minutes, but Celtic were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage as Athenry continued with the high press until they tired with ten minutes to go.

After that it was a matter of when, rather than, if, Celtic would get a winner.

Dylan Edwards got on the end of Jordan Loftus’ long ball to slot past TJ Forde well into stoppage time to settle it.

A full report, reaction and images from the game will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.