Dublin visitors end Mayo club's FAI Youth Cup hopes

Castlebar Celtic’s FAI Youth Cup dreams were dashed at the quarterfinal stage by a rampant Peamount United as the Dublin visitors recorded a 6-1 victory on Saturday afternoon, writes Patrick Hennelly.

Peamount made a positive start to this cup joust and took the lead after just three minutes when Lucas Ovas headed home from close range.

The high tempo start to the game continued and Castlebar levelled matters after five minutes. A pinging free kick from Paddy Hope found Patrick Garvey and the latter’s Mark Hughes-style volley found the back of the net, much to the delight of the home supporters.

The first half was played largely on an even keel but Peamount were awarded a spot kick on 33 minutes after Celtic’s Arthur Narciso fouled Charlie Thompson just inside the area. Thompson guided home the subsequent penalty and the visitors led 2-1 during the half-time musings.

A positive start to the new half was imperative for Celtic but disaster struck on 46 minutes as the Dublin side added a third goal through Nathan Burke.

Nine minutes later the visitors bolstered their lead when Ovas guided home a close-range header.

A gallant Castlebar Celtic regrouped and tried their best to get back into the game. However, Peamount United continued to move the ball around the park with great ingenuity, and they sealed the deal after 65 minutes when Thompson’s tidy finish nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

The visitors refused to step off the gas and added a sixth goal on 87 minutes courtesy of Emmet Kelleher, whose finish was sublime.