Second-half surge sees Castlebar Celtic lose Connacht Shield final

CONNACHT MEN’S SHIELD FINAL

Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ 

B McHale 6, R Nevin 22

Corofin United ‘B’

G Connell 11, C O'Donovan 48, B O'Donovan 70, N Kearney 73

In Drum

With two in it and eight left to play, Castlebar Celtic eyes would have lit up as Neil Douglas’s attempt to halve the deficit looked to be heading goalwards.

However, when it came back off the post and the rebounded effort sailed over, even the hope of the most optimistic of supporters would’ve dwindled.

As the final whistle blew, Celtic went home empty-handed, and Corofin secured their first senior provincial title in their history.

Celtic struck gold with the first chance of the tie, and did so in clinical fashion. Dylan Howley’s through ball unlocked the Corofin defence and sent Ben McHale free, who found the far corner to get the ball rolling.

The slim lead wouldn’t last long, as Gavan Connell rifled in following some pinball in the box.

The opening quarter proved to be a golden one for the Hoops, as they seemed to have a bit of a Midas touch.

Ruairi Nevin’s ball from the right was near perfect, however, Neil Douglas just couldn’t get any purchase with his head.

From the next play, Fintan McHale’s men re-established their scoreboard superiority. A probing ball from Liam Whyte on the left found the feet of Nevin, who rattled the onion bag at the end of the first quarter.

The Galway side kept asking questions, including when Darragh Silke’s ball across the six-yard box caused plenty of Celtic concern. Thankfully for them, no one was there to get the all-important touch, a common theme for United early doors.

The best first-half chance for Corofin came on the stroke of the changeover, as Ronan Steede rose highest to get his head on a free from deep, but his effort went narrowly wide of the left stick.

The second half started in a similar whirlwind fashion to the first, but this time it was Corofin who found the net when Colm O’Donovan held off Fionn McHale and rounded Jensen.

United found the front for the first time with 25 to go, when the second of the O’Donovan brothers, Barry, beat the ‘keeper with a long-range effort. Before long, Nathan Kearney doubled from an in-swinging corner from the right.

That goal was the death knell for Celtic, and although they put the squeeze on near the end, Corofin held on to secure a historic victory.

For a full report, plus reaction, please see Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.