Celtic win Junior Cup sizzler

FAI JUNIOR CUP ROUND 5

Castlebar Celtic 3

Westport United 2

CASTLEBAR

THEY swarmed into Celtic Park, they chanted and sang, they fired flares into the sky and created an atmosphere like no other. On Sunday afternoon swarms of Castlebar Celtic and Westport United supporters gathered in the famous old ground to witness the latest episode of Mayo's oldest soccer series.

On this occasion, the glittering prize on offer was a place in the next round of the most prestigious competition in Irish junior soccer and after an almighty battle it was the supporters in green and white who danced and sang in the evening light.

Westport were the better team in the opening half and the youthful Covies took the lead early on when Darren Browne lashed home a penalty after referee Damien MacGraith deemed a Celtic defender had handled the ball. The home side equalised just before half-time when Jason Hunt volleyed a screamer into the roof of the Westport net.

The hosts hit the front early in the second half when Eoghan Hughes headed home after a bending Dylan Edwards cross and the duo combined again ten minutes later for Hughes to double the lead.

It seemed as if Celtic would cruise into the next round at that stage and Hughes almost grabbed his hat-trick soon after but his stinging shot clipped off the crossbar.

However, Westport refused to fade away and created a number of half chances before Dylan O'Malley rocketed a free kick to the net in the 88th minute.

That gave Westport renewed hope and they pushed forward looking for the equaliser but they couldn't find a way past a Celtic defence where team captain Ioseph O'Reilly led his side superbly from first whistle to last.

A full report and in-depth after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.