Top Mayo club advance in pursuit of historic cup hat-trick

By John Corless

Castlebar Celtic booked their place in the Connaught Cup fourth round after edging a fiercely contested tie away to Strand Celtic on Sunday.

All the goals arrived in the first half. Leo Doherty put Strand in front after nine minutes, but Jordan Loftus restored parity with a superb finish before firing home a penalty on 28 minutes to turn the game around.

Strand battled relentlessly in difficult conditions and pushed hard for an equaliser. Doherty and Niall McDermott both went close, while Castlebar goalkeeper Peter Basquelle made several important stops.

At the other end, Loftus threatened a hat-trick and Ben Murphy and Mark Cunningham also tested the hosts’ resolve.

Castlebar’s experience told in the final quarter, with Brian Walsh outstanding as the visitors absorbed late pressure. Doherty had Strand’s best chance deep in stoppage time but lifted his effort over before Castlebar substitute Dylan Felle was sent off in the closing moments.

A minute’s silence was observed beforehand in memory of the late Eamonn Conway of Castlebar.

Full match report to follow inside Tuesday's edition of the Connaught Telegraph