EA Sports League of Ireland Cup
Castlebar Celtic 0
Finn Harps 4
By Colm Gannon
Despite a very positive opening half in their second game inside four days as a League of Ireland club, Castlebar Celtic went down in their second defeat to a side from Ulster. Declan Kilkelly’s side hosted first division side Finn Harps in Celtic Park on Tuesday night as they made their debut in the league cup. But it was not to be for the hoops. After surviving a nervy early couple of minutes, Celtic settled into the game and could have been at least two goals to the good before the break.
Just after the quarter of an hour mark Danny Borderick crossed the ball in from the right hand side right across the face of goal, Sean McHale made a break to connect with it, but the ball was just inches away from his forehead and Finn Harps escaped. Celtic kept the pressure up and on 31 minutes another Borderick cross wasn’t dealt with by the Harps defence and the ball fell to captain Andy Neary 10 yards out, but the midfielder flew his shot high over the bar with the goal gaping.
The first half misses proved costly for Celtic as the visitors managed to get the ball in James Jennings’ net four times in the closing period. The first goal came on 14 minutes when a cross by Mark Forker was directed to the back of the net by Michael Funston. As Celtic tried to pull the game level, gaps were beginning to appear at the back and on 27 minutes the Donegal outfit made it 2-0, this time a cross from the opposite flank by Gary Whorsiskey was sent to the net by David McDaid. Things just went from bad to worse for Celtic and a couple of minutes later they were three down, confusion in the Celtic defence ended up with Sean Huston having the easy task of tapping the ball in from close range, the same player got on the end of a similar event right at the death to make it four and give Celtic a harsh lesson in the importance of taking your chances as they try to adapt to higher level football.
Castlebar Celtic: James Jennings, Aidan Walsh, Steven Ryan, James Minogue, Gerard O’Boyle; Ioseph O’Reilly, Andy Neary, Alan McDonnell, Danny Broderick; Sean McHale, Ashley Stevenson. Subs: Peter Dravins, Enda McGahon, Chris Rowland.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Brian Lafferty, Ian Rossiter, Marc Mukendi, Con Gallagher; Gary Whoriskey, Sean Houston, Pat Bonner, Mark Forker; Michael Funston, David McDaid. Subs: Fintan Boner, Oisin McMenamin
Ref: Mark Gough (Westmeath )
Newstalk A League
Castlebar Celtic 1
Derry City 2
By Edwin McGreal
Castlebar Celtic’s first game in the A League was a disappointing one with visitors Derry deservedly leaving with all three points under lights in Celtic Park last Saturday evening. Celtic were somewhat disappointing and Declan Kilkenny will know they are capable of better. It was only when Derry went 2-0 in front after 79 minutes that Celtic packed a meaningful punch when they went forward.
That they very nearly secured a share of the spoils late on shows you what Celtic are capable of when they turn their minds to it but a draw on Saturday would have been harsh on a Derry side who had controlled the game up until then. In right-winger David Scullion (an FA Youth Cup winner with Aston Villa in 2002 ) and central midfielder Kevin Deery (PFAI eircom League Young Player of the Year in 2006 ) Derry had two formidable midfield men who helped Derry control the game.
And striker Seamus Cusack looked dangerous any time he was on the ball. Cusack had two early chances before he combined with James McClean to set up Scullion for the opener on 21 minutes. It was no more than Derry’s early dominance deserved while only Sean McHale threatened for Celtic. McHale had three chances in the third quarter – one just off target, one saved and one penalty shout turned away while at the other end Danny Kirby produced a sensational point blank save from John Bonner and Scullion struck over when it was easier to score.
But Derry’s eventual second goal was shrouded in controversy. Derry were awarded a free-kick for handball by Aidan Walsh after he had blocked an initial free-kick with what looked like his face. McClean’s dead ball was tipped onto the bar by Kirby but Seamus Cusack latched onto the rebound quickest to give Derry a 2-0 lead with only 11 minutes remaining. But Celtic were back in it merely three minutes later. James Minogue headed a Ger O’Boyle cross onto the post but substitute Enda McGahon smashed the rebound into the net and the large home attendance willed Celtic on. McGahon nearly became an instant hero when his strike one minute later had goal written all over it only for Derry ‘keeper Conor Brown to make a wonderful save. McGahon would subsequently see a wonderful volley of his go marginally over and Derry held on.
Castlebar Celtic: D Kirby; P Fitzgerald, S Ryan, J Minogue, G O’Boyle; C Rowland, A Neary, A Stevenson, R O’Boyle; A Walsh; S McHale. Subs: D Broderick, P Dravins for Rowland; E McGahon.
Derry City: C Brown; A Devlin, S McElheney, S Sharkey, M Nicell; D Scullion, K Deery, D McCauley, J Bonner; S Cusack, J McClean. Subs: L Roddy; A Clarke.
Referee: E Deering (Roscommon ).
