Castlebar Celtic go top with resounding win over Manulla

ELVERYS SPORTS SUPER LEAGUE

Castlebar Celtic 6

P Walsh 2, L Kelly 30, D Edwards 49, J Hunt 57, J Cocozza 65 86

Manulla 1

C Benson 65

In Celtic Park

A brace from first-half substitute Johnnie Cocozza helped Castlebar Celtic return to the summit of Mayo soccer in a resounding rout of Manulla.

In truth, it seemed all too easy at times, and with key players getting a rest, the win sets Stevie Gavin's hoops in good stead ahead of the trip to Wexford for cup action.

Celtic may have been without last season’s top-scorer Jordan Loftus, but they were more than capable of finding the net in his absence, as evidenced by Paul Walsh’s sumptuous strike after two minutes.

Walsh’s effort had curl in abundance as it bent into the top left corner, following a delivery from Fionn Mahon on the right.

The hosts tried to repeat the trick of exposing Manulla on the right, as well as clipping balls over the top for Luke Kelly to chase, but couldn’t quite get their arrowed dinks inch-perfect.

Elsewhere, the men donned in blue were having difficulties making inroads themselves, with Alan Brennan’s shot which almost dented the left post 16 in the highlight.

With 30 gone, Celtic doubled their advantage, as Niall Brennan’s delicate touch took ‘keeper Jack Livingstone out of the equation.

There were some calls for offside as Brennan laid the ball off to Kelly for a tap-in, but Damien MacGraith pointed to the centre circle to leave the champions two to the good.

An intricate passing move was the springboard for Celtic’s third. The play was started by Johnnie Cocozza, and was finished when Brennan rolled across for Dylan Edwards to convert.

It was four before long. Jason Hunt’s strike was initially blocked, but his daisy cutter on the rebound found the onion bag.

The crowd then saw a rarity, as Stefan Hester’s net was breached. A defensive lapse in concentration when playing around the back was seized upon by Cian Benson, who punished Celtic as they conceded their first league goal of 2025.

It was a brief respite from the pain, as Cocozza netted his fourth of the season 65 minutes in, gobbling up Livingstone’s rebound.

With four to go, Cocozza had his second, holding off George Boyd to find the far corner and round off a resounding victory to go to the summit again.

A full match report, plus reaction, will be included in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News