By Stuart Tynan
The longer this final went, you got the sense it simply was not going to be Castlebar Celtic’s day.
Paul Walsh shoots for the target during Castlebar Celtic’s scoreless draw with Athenry that ended up going to penalties. Pictures: David Farrell Photography
After hitting the post twice and seeing a number of good opportunities go abegging, the Hoops were left with heartbreak, as Athenry prevailed on penalties.
“Heartbreaking. I honestly thought we were the better side on the day,” said Jordan Loftus.
“When you hit the post twice you kind of have a feeling it’s not your day but that’s the way it goes. Credit to them, they won the penalty shootout.”
The Athenry defence has proved a stubborn one to break down in this competition, but Celtic were equally as adept in shutting down the opposition, with Ioseph O’Reilly keeping Jay McPhilbin and Adam Duffy on the backfoot.
“Ioseph was the best player on the pitch, 100%,” said Loftus.
“I know they usually give man of the match to the winning team but Ioseph was the best player by far. We had a couple of chances, I had a couple of chances, I should have scored (the header). We left it behind but that’s football. We move on to the next game.”
Loftus hopes to use this defeat as motivation for the remainder of the season and as fuel to take the final step in the Connacht Cup next season. Celtic lost to Mervue United in the 2002 final in Milebush before winning it the following year.
A group of Castlebar Celtic fans who drummed up support for their team during last Sunday’s Connacht Junior Cup final at Solar 21 Park, Castlebar. Unfortunately for Celtic they lost to Athenry on penalties after the game ended scoreless after extra-time.
“They lost it the year before and they went again so that’s our aim now. We’re back to business in the Super League. We saw Ballina drop points and we can try and captialise on that now and get some silverware.
“After a loss like that, the best thing you can do is get back into it and move on. We still have two trophies this year, the Super League and the Super Cup, and that’s our aim now.”
For Athenry, it’s a sixth Connacht Cup title and a first since 2016. Central to their victory was a resolute defence who kept Celtic at bay. One of the those men, Sean O’Callaghan, was awarded man of the match and he felt they were due some luck after some disappointing exits in recent years.
“When it went to extra-time, we were under so much pressure and it was unbelievable. I think once we got past the first-half, we got a little bit of confidence. I’m absolutely delighted. It’s great for the club.
“I think we deserved a bit of luck. We’ve been unlucky in the league and other cup competitions over the last couple of years.”
Athenry were arguably the favourites to win the cup after beating defending champions Salthill Devon in the last 16. They kept a clean sheet that day, as well as in the semi-final against Strand Celtic, and he paid tribute to his teammates across the back four — Aaron Leggett, Gary O’Connell, and Shane Keogh — and goalkeeper TJ Forde.
“We beat Salthill, which was a tough game. I think it just gave us the confidence to go forward. We got a clean sheet that day and we saw it out against Strand Celtic. I think the game against Strand really stood to us today with not conceding and we knew if we could hang on in there, we’d get the win.
“I’m absolutely delighted for TJ. The last couple of penalty shootouts has been tough for him as we’ve lost a couple. I had a feeling today was his day. I’m absolutely buzzing for him, especially the backline. Aaron Leggett beside me was unbelievable, as was Shane and Gary.”