Mayo soccer champions Castlebar Celtic may have crashed out in the second round of the FAI Senior Cup at the hands of Longford Town.

The Mayo Super League kingpins managed by Stevie Gavin were beaten by the League of Ireland side 3-6 after a hard fought encounter.

But the scoreline read 3-3 at half-time and with the final 15 minutes looming, the game was there for the taking.

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Substitute Luke Kelly caressed the ball onto dangerman Jordan Loftus. His shot had everything, and Kian Moore was cat-like to do just enough to tip the ball onto the post and behind.

From the resulting corner, the First Divisioners swept up the park, and sub Dean George bested Stefan Hester and Longford took a 5:3 lead.

Celtic kept battling, but Francis Campbell’s 89th-minute strike was one that cruelly took the game away from Celtic.

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'Kind gesture' by Longford Town

But there was a moment around the match, where the heat of the battle mattered little.

Longford Town boss Wayne Groves presented a Town centenary jersey to the chairman of Castlebar Celtic.

Both teams celebrated their centenary year last year as they were founded in 2024 each.

Castlebar Celtic wrote on their Facebook: "Thanks to Longford Town FC for the kind gesture."

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