Hughes' header delights Celts in all-Mayo FAI Cup clash

Castlebar Celtic 1

Westport United 0

FAI Junior Cup Second Round

Eoghan Hughes headed home a first-half goal to send Castlebar Celtic into the third round of the FAI Junior Cup with a narrow but deserved win over local rivals Westport United on Saturday evening.

It was a tense and fraught affair with chances few and far between, a game of direct passing and aerial battles as long balls rained in and strikers scrapped with centre-halves for possession.

The decisive moment of quality arrived ten minutes before the break when Mark Cunningham drove forward from right full-back and whipped a cross into the box.

Hughes met it on the run, looping a header over the outstretched Gary Cunningham in the Westport goal.

The visitors had their moments, with Dylan O’Malley going close just on the stroke of half-time, but Stevie Gavin’s side held firm throughout a more progressive second half to see the game out.

Celtic now advance into the third round alongside Ballyheane FC who overcame Manulla in the other all-Mayo tie on Saturday.