NEXT Sunday at 2.30pm Castlebar Celtic host Ballina Town in a battle of the top two sides in Mayo. Six points divide them at the summit of the Mayo Super League and anything other than a win for Ballina will almost certainly see the Castlebar side win the title; though, obviously, not on the day.
The teams have met on two occasions this year, both games in Ballina, and Celtic have won both by a single goal margin. Johnny Cocozza’s strike, eight minutes from time, sealed a 3-2 Westaro Cup win in February, In April in the League, Oran Groarke popped up in stoppage time to claim the points for Celtic (2-1) when it looked like a draw was on the cards.
The games have been good to watch for the neutral. They’ve had skill, goals and plenty of yellow cards – indicating both sides wanted to win – rather than any deliberate dirty play. Indeed, both games have had red cards too – one per game.
Celtic have won their eleven league games this season, and many predict that they will win this one too. But Ballina have been improving since those early days under new manager Alan Henry, and will be a different prospect than their showing in the earlier fixtures.
Celtic are a very mobile team with excellent young players. Mark Cunningham has established himself at right back. Brian Walsh has kept Johnny Walsh out of the side with his performances in the heart of the defence alongside Ioseph O’Reilly.
They have an abundance of midfielders, ranging from the experienced Joe Slevin, Johnny Cocozza and Dylan Edwards to youngsters like Oran Groarke and Fionn Mahon.
Up front they have the outstanding Jordan Loftus, with Luke Kelly, Paul Walsh, Jason Hunt and Neil Douglas. And they have a selection of goalkeepers to choose from, with Stefan Hester the established number one.
Ballina are a physically strong side and Celtic struggled with the physicality of Waterford Hibernians in the FAI Cup in January. Benny Lavelle gets goals for fun. He got four on his last outing. Jamie Cawley does the hard work on the wing, and Rafael Cretaro has been magnificent – as was to be expected given his experience.
Oisin Tighe is a great young player in the middle having established himself this season.
At the back, Town are very experienced. Chris Moore, Stephen Melvin, Matt Hamilton and Chris Maughan are solid, with Danny Gorman sitting in front of them, and Emmet Peyton behind them, minding the net.
There is no doubt Town will be up for it – seeing as this is their only chance – even if a win won’t fully close the points gap. Celtic, of course, will be up for it too and their pacey forwards will counteract any shortage of physicality. It promises to be a thriller and may well finish in a draw played out at the end by two sides reduced to ten men!
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