Castlebar Celtic secure home draw for Connacht Cup semi-final

CASTLEBAR Celtic will play Salthill Devon in the semi-final of the Connacht Cup at Celtic Park. The match is scheduled for Sunday May 5.

It took a stoppage time goal from Dylan Edwards to see Celtic safely past a robust Athenry side in the semi-final. Salthill came through a nervous penalty shoot-out with local rivals, Mervue United, on an 8-7 scoreline, to set up the contest.

The winners will face another Galway side in the final. Clarinbridge outfit, Colga FC, are drawn against Oranmore/Maree, who knocked Ballyheane out on penalties on Sunday last.

There are no easy ties at the semi-final stage of the Connacht Cup, but most people believe that Salthill is the toughest draw for Celtic.

“I’m glad it’s at home,” Celtic captain, Ioseph O’Reilly, told The Mayo News. “They have a huge astro, so we’ll see how they like playing on grass. They are a top side and it will be tough, but if you want to win the Connacht Cup you have to be able for games like this.”

In Junior football terms, Salthill Devon are well equipped. Their side features Mark Ludden who captained Treaty United last season in the Airtricity League and who played over 400 games across fourteen seasons in that league, including a lengthy spell with his native Galway United. Former Galway United, St Patrick’s Athletic and Ipswich Town, striker Vinnie Faherty is also on their books.

Faherty also played for Sligo Rovers as well as stints in Australia and Cyprus. And defender Mick Lee, was joined in the Connacht Interprovincial squad last month, by midfielder Shane O’Rourke and striker Matthew Barrett. Mikey Fox would probably have made the squad too, but was just back from injury. They won the competition in 2020, beating Westport United at Milebush.

It won’t be about Salthill, of course, when they visit Celtic Park. Castlebar boss Stevie Gavin’s focus will be on his own side and what they do in the tie.

He knows and trusts his players and while the visitors will probably be favourites, I wouldn’t bet against Celtic reaching their second Connacht Cup Final in a row.  

They’ll want to win it too, after the heartache of losing on penalties last season to Athenry.