Mayo club suffer defeat in boys under-18 Connacht cup final

Castlebar Celtic suffered a 3-0 defeat to Mervue United in the Boys Under-18 Connacht Cup Final at a windy Red Rock Arena, Headford.

Indeed, the wind hampered both sides style of play with fluent and slick passing football at a premium.

Celtic almost took the lead five minutes into the first half when a chance fell to Kian Redmond, but his header flashed narrowly wide.

Mervue seemed to settle better into the game, and they very nearly crafted the lead goal on 18 minutes, when a well-orchestrated set-piece routine ended with Joseph Pyne’s effort forcing a smart save from Ryan Kilkelly.

However, one minute later, the marron and blue took the lead, when Kalen Ainsworth’s perfectly placed volley from inside the box flew past the beaten Kilkelly.

Celtic tried their very best to get back into the game before the break, with Nathan Heneghan most unlucky to see his strike on 34 minutes hit the upright.

Mervue had the elements in their favour during the second half, and Celtic struggled to bypass the Galway outfit’s defence.

With the game in the balance, United pounced for a crucial second goal on 72 minutes, through Kian Dooley.

A brave Castlebar desperately tried to find a way back into the game, however, Mervue substitute Abobaker Zarif effectively ended the game as a contest when he guided home a tidy finish on 82 minutes.