Hard-working Hoops reach last eight of FAI Youth Cup after shootout

FAI YOUTH CUP

Castlebar Celtic 1

O Murphy 39

St Francis 1

F Forkan 28

Castlebar Celtic win 5-3 after Penalty shootout

In Castlebar

IT was certainly a Super Sunday in the county town when a hard working performance from Castlebar Celtic U-18’s paved the way for an impressive win in the FAI Youth Cup which now sees the hoops into the last eight of the national competition.

In an epic battle against St Francis of Dublin, a penalty shootout was needed to decide the tie after the teams finished level after 110 minutes of football. 

With three red cards issued across the afternoon, a tense battle took place in the cool Castlebar air. 

The young Hoops fell behind with 28 minutes on the clock after Fionn Forkan scored a well-taken goal for the Dublin side. However 11 minutes later, the excellent Oran Murphy equalised after Nathan Heneghan played him in. 

Entering the final 20 minutes, the hosts were dealt with a huge blow when the tough-tackling Murphy picked up his second yellow of the game. The Celtic boys deserve huge credit for the way overcame his loss and battled right to the end as the impressive Kian Redmond made some crucial blocks across the afternoon.

The Dublin opposition were dealt a blow themselves in the final minutes after striker Chisom Chime received his second yellow card when he was deemed to have dived in the penalty area. Minutes later, the full time whistle sounded and two additional ten-minute periods were called for. 

Chances were limited in extra time but Celtic got one with three minutes remaining. A fantastic ball down the wing by Nathan Heneghan was met by Paddy Hope and as the attacker closed in on goal, St Francis’ defender Caiden Ruane Curley pulled him down and he was shown a straight red card.

Time ran out before either side found a winner and a penalty shootout was needed. Celtic goalkeeper Ryan Kilkelly turned out to be the hero as he stood tall to make a fine save which saw his side claim a 5-3 victory.

It was a superb achievement for the Mayo club and a quarter-final awaits in the FAI Youth Cup.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.

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