Celtic one win away from Connacht final
On May 24, 2014, Spanish giants Real Madrid made history in becoming the first club to win 10 European Cups/Champions League titles, ending an 11-year journey for the aptly named ‘La Decima’.
Less than two weeks before this historic moment, another version of ‘La Decima’ was on the cards as Castlebar Celtic faced Ballinasloe Town in Milebush to claim a record-breaking 10th Connacht Cup.
Tied with Galway Bohemians as the most successful club in the competition’s history with nine triumphs apiece, the Hoops had the chance to stand alone as the most successful team in the history of the cup but fell to an agonising defeat on penalties, with Ballinasloe completing back-to-back triumphs.
The teams will lock horns once again in Celtic Park this Sunday at 2 p.m. for a place in the showpiece next month and a red-hot atmosphere is anticipated, with the visitors embroiled in a major ruckus with Mayo Super League champions Ballyheane back in February.
The Roscommon & District League team defeated Ballyheane on penalties in a fifth round FAI Junior Cup tie that made local and national headlines following a controversial call for Ballyheane’s winning penalty to be re-taken.
That said, Ballinasloe are a tough outfit. Captain Des Hope leads from the back while up front, they will look to Liam Lynch and Ryan Burke to do the damage further up to the pitch to end Celtic’s hopes once again.
REDEMPTION
Celtic boss Stevie Gavin, who was in charge for the final in 2014, has returned for a second stint as manager, with Gerry and Jason Hunt, as well as Celtic captain Ioseph O’Reilly, the three players involved from their previous final still playing for the club. Another two players that day, Declan Flynn and Barry McLoughlin, are part of Gavin’s backroom team.
All four of their opponents so far have come from the Galway Premier Division with West United, Loughrea Rams, Maree/Oranmore and Mervue United all taken down by Celtic.
Paul Walsh has been in impressive form for Celtic in this competition but his involvement with the Mayo Under 20 Gaelic football team puts his participation in serious doubt. Yet there is plenty of firepower for Celtic to call upon.
Jason Hunt, Corey Scahill and Jordan Loftus are the major threats for Celtic going forward, but Loftus is a doubt for Celtic after missing last Sunday’s Super League match against Ballyheane through injury.
Ioseph O’Reilly is a major doubt too after going off against Ballyheane with a hamstring injury. Colm Nevin also went off injured in that game, but he is expected to return.
In the middle of the park Nevin, Oran Groarke and Mark Howley have all shown an eye for scoring goals as well as creating them in Celtic’s solid start to the Super League season while the back five of goalkeeper Stefan Hester, left-back Brian Walsh, centre-backs Diarmuid Ahern (should O’Reilly be out) and Johnny Walsh and either Bahso Hay or Ruairi Nevin at right-back will look to hold off the Ballinasloe Town threat.
Should Celtic have their magic touch in front of goal, they will have too much for Ballinasloe to overcome.
Verdict: Castlebar Celtic