Celtic girls on the double again
Castlebar Celtic’s Under 14 girls capped off another remarkable season by adding the Mayo Cup to the league title they had already won thanks to a 6-0 win over Killala in the final.
It marks the girls’ third straight league and cup double, and they have achieved this by winning every match along the way over the three years.
The final was played in Killala in very trying conditions but the Celtic girls were just too good for the home side on the day. Their ability on the ball saw them able to counter the strong wind and heavy pitch, and they took the game to the hosts from the off.
The first 10 minutes was a physical battle but once Celtic settled down they began to dominate. Grainne O’Neill and Leah McHugh were dictating things in the middle, while the Celtic front three of Aoife O’Neill, Shauna Golden and Aisling O’Reilly created a number of chances. It was only down to some excellent goalkeeping by Izzy Tierney and a post and the crossbar that Killala managed to keep the score level.
At the back, Leah Moran, Maeve Gallagher, Megan Nugent and Saoirse McCabe never gave Alva Munnelly or Tasha Burke an inch.
Joanne Padden was unlucky when her fierce drive crashed off the post and across the goal to safety, but the opening goal finally came when Aisling O’Reilly smartly converted an Aoife O’Neill cross. Aisling doubled the score when Izzy Tierney could only parry a great strike by Shauna Golden and O’Reilly was quickest to react to prod the ball home.
It was all Celtic at this stage and goal number three came when Shauna Golden turned the Killala defence before firing across the front of the goal. With Aoife O’Neill racing in, a Killala defender had to stick her foot out but directed the ball into her own net.
The second half was even more one-sided as Celtic had the wind behind them, but credit to Killala as they never gave up trying. Celtic made a number of changes but it was Shauna Golden who struck her first with a smart turn and strike from the edge of the box.
Celtic’s fifth arrived when Golden smashed a half volley into the roof of the net from 30 yards, while the sixth came when Lauren McEllin raced clear and while Izzy Tierney saved the initial effort, Lauren was quick to react to tuck away the loose ball.
Killala worked very hard throughout and Ciara White, Aisling Bilbow, Aisling O’Hora and Emma Honan never gave up. However, on the day Celtic were just too good and their ability on the ball was the real difference. Considering the conditions it was an excellent display of football.
After the match Leah McHugh was named player of the match for her excellence in the Celtic midfield. With captain Rachel Baynes unable to play due to commitments with the international Under 16 girls, Leah Moran was presented with the cup.
Coach Richie Berkeley was delighted with how well the girls played on the day. With 10 of the Celtic girls underage again next season, there is no sign of this great run coming to an end any time soon.
The squad on duty was: Michelle Treacy, Clodagh Campion, Maeve Gallagher, Leah Moran, Saoirse McCabe, Megan Nugent, Joanne Padden, Grainne O’Neill, Leah McHugh, Shauna Golden, Aoife O’Neill, Aisling O’Reilly, Lauren McEllin, Kirsty Kelly, Rachel Lammond, Lucy Tuohy and Kate Chambers. Missing were Rachel Baynes and Leagh Byrne.