Castlebar Celtic edge Westport United in Mayo soccer top-two clash

ELVERYS SPORTS SUPER LEAGUE

Castlebar Celtic 2

O Groarke 15, J Cocozza 92

Westport United 1

H Quinn 56

In Castlebar

With the clock reading 92 minutes and the sides level, it felt like time stood still as the ball bobbled around in the Westport goalmouth.

However, when Johnny Cocozza slammed it to the net, the roof came was torn clean off as the Castlebar Celtic supporters roared to the heavens and their beloved team maintained their winning record to take a huge step towards the retention of their title. 

The travelling Covies, who were league leaders at the start of the game, began the brighter of the two sides, with Michael O’Brien causing headaches on the right flank.

They also had the first clear-cut chance, after skipper Jack Dawson’s pressing caused his opposing captain, Iosaph O’Reilly, to lose possession. The resulting Darren O’Malley effort was tipped wide, and Celtic had to be diligent to repel the following corner.

At the other end, the champions who lined out without a number of injured players, weren’t quite as forgiving of lapses in concentration, as Jordan Loftus forced ‘keeper Gary Cunningham to fluff his lines, leaving Oran Groarke the simple opportunity to produce a net-shaker.

Loftus almost caught the United defence out again with a quick free over the top. In the footrace, Harrison Quinn was judged to have taken out Dylan Edwards by Jimmy Cawley. The resulting free from Edwards was tame. No fuss for Cunningham to collect.

It was a clash with plenty of needle both on and off the pitch, and the definition of what warranted a booking were certainly tested.

The trailing side kept trying to ask questions, but they couldn’t produce many moments to make Stevie Gavin’s charges sweat.

Celtic couldn’t cause much Covie consternation either, except when a one-two between Loftus and Groarke saw the latter fire right and wide as the clock ticked into the red.

The travelling support were treated to a deserved equaliser ten minutes into the second half, when Harrison Quinn rose highest to turn in Cian Halpin’s corner.

Chances continued to be made and missed at both ends and O’Reilly’s blushes were spared after he had his pocket picked in the middle, but Serhii Morarenko was caught by the offside line.

Both sides went all out to try and get the all-important winner, but when five minutes of injury time was signaled, it seemed like a draw was on the cards.

Enter Fionn Mahon. The winger was tigerish to win the ball down the right wing. He charged forward and shot for glory but Cunningham saved well and deflected the ball onto the bar. Many thought it had deflected over the top, but Cocozza didn’t, and found the net to ensure a famous last-gasp win to continue his side’s title charge.

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