Celtic look to mark centenary year in perfect fashion – sport – Western People

Connacht Junior Cup Final 

Sunday, June 16 

2pm in Lecarrow 

Castlebar Celtic v Maree/Oranmore

After defeat in last year’s final against Athenry, Castlebar Celtic will look to go one step further and claim a record-breaking tenth Connacht Cup title against Maree/Oranmore this Sunday.

There was much uncertainty this last month over whether the semi-final would have to be replayed when Salthill Devon successfully appealed the result to the Connacht FA Protest Committee due to a breach of rules regarding the appointment of match officials, which are meant to be from a neutral county but Mayo League officials were used. However, Celtic successfully won an FAI appeal last Friday on the grounds that the Connacht FA and not the club themselves, were in breach of the rules. It is now a quick turnaround for the squad who are coming into the game off the back of a 9-0 drubbing of Manulla last Sunday and who are unbeaten in all Mayo and Connacht competitions this year.

Celtic’s progress in the cup was relatively straightforward up to the quarter-finals with wins over Galway clubs Galway Hibs and Loughrea Rams before defeating Sligo/Leitrim side Cartron United to set up a repeat a quarter-final dream tie with Athenry.

It was the Galway side who beat Celtic in the final last year but the Hoops gained a modicum of revenge by beating the men in maroon 3-1, before seeing off Salthill 1-0 in the semi-final.

The appeal saga dragged on over the past couple of weeks but as far as matters on the pitch were concerned it was business as usual for Celtic domestically, although the Salthill appeal left a sour taste in the mouth.

“Initially, when the appeal came in first, I think the group, the players, and myself, we were all upset, to be honest,” says manager Stevie Gavin. “We felt that we won the game on merit on the day. If anyone was at that game, on the balance of play, balance of chances, especially in the second-half, I don’t think there’s anyone who came away from the game saying that we didn’t deserve to go through.

“What happened, happened, and a little common sense has prevailed, I think. Has it been difficult? Initially, no. We were just focusing on training and playing and we’ve let natural justice take its course.

“You look at Maree/Oranmore, they’ve finished their league so they were sitting and waiting for a few weeks not knowing who they’re going to play or when they’re going to play,” added assistant manager Declan Flynn. “Thankfully we had games that we could keep us ticking over. We’re just looking forward to it now and hopefully we get the right result.” 

Celtic’s aforementioned form is ominous for all, having yet to taste defeat in 2024. Their last loss came in the FAI Junior Cup back in December against Pike Rovers on penalties, with the Limerick giants going on to reach the semi-finals. Stevie Gavin has been delighted with the response since, even with a stop-start domestic season with Oscar Traynor and Connacht Interpros taking place.

“We’ve been brilliant, the reaction has been brilliant. We just want to keep it going. We’re trying to go from week to week and game to game but as I said, we are delighted. We’ve just got to keep it going and for us, I suppose, we want to get over the line and win trophies, not just win games, so next weekend is a chance to get the first one up this year so we’re going to go for it.

“It has been stop-start with the Oscar Traynor and games cancelled, two weeks without a game, then a game, three games in ten days and that, but you just have to adapt and get on with it and we’ve done that. It has been a little bit strange but it is what it is, you just have to get on with it.” 

Maree/Oranmore are no stranger to Super League clubs in this competition, having beaten Kiltimagh/Knock United, Ballina Town and Ballyheane, the latter on penalties in the last eight. They finished their domestic league in mid-May and may be coming in a bit rusty given a lack of competitive action.

“You’d imagine that they’d have organised friendlies but it doesn’t beat playing against another team with a competitive edge. We’ve had a couple of cup games and we’re doing well in the league and scoring goals and not conceding. We’re doing well on that side but as regards Sunday, we just want to put it to bed. That’s the way we’re focused.” 

Maree/Oranmore have had a good season in the Galway Premier Division, finishing third behind Salthill and Athenry. Celtic will be seen as the favourites but Gavin believes it will be a very close affair.

“It’s a final and any team that gets to a final gets huge respect. A couple of people said they were favourites but that doesn’t come into it, it’s 50-50. In the semi-final last year we went in against Salthill and people felt Salthill were favourites. We felt it was 50-50 and we feel that the final is 50-50 and we have to perform and if we don’t we’ll get beaten. So we have huge respect for Maree/Oranmore.

“It’s a huge catchment area there, they’re a really good young team, they just won the U21s league last week so I think realistically they should be up to speed because the majority of their team are 21s. We know the challenge is going to be huge so we need to be ready for it.” 

It promises to be an intriguing final and a win would mean everything to the club, especially given that it’s their centenary year “I think for Joe McDonald and the lads of the committee who are working really hard, I think it would mean everything. I think for the group it would mean a huge amount.

“I think for me, in terms of being involved in sport, it will be one of the biggest things I’ve ever done as a player or manager. It’s really important for everyone,” said Gavin.

“Take away the FAI Junior Cup, this is the big one, especially for the province. It shows you who’s the best team in the province.

“I think we’ve been consistent in the past three years that we’ve been involved and just hopefully we can put it over the line,” Flynn added.