Castlebar Celtic looking to go back-to-back
By Stuart Tynan
CASTLEBAR Celtic manager Michael McNicholas will be looking to build on a 'special' season for the club last year.
Celtic claimed their first Super League title since 2011 while for McNicholas himself, he claimed that elusive league title after so many near misses with Celtic and Ballina Town in the past, with five runners-up finishes in seven seasons.
“Yeah, it was for everybody involved with the club. It was something we all wanted to bring back. Collectively we all got together and that was our aim from the beginning of the season so to achieve that was special.”
For most of the last decade, Celtic have been part of the pack of rival sides looking at hunting down the teams at the top, whether it was recent league champions Westport United or Ballina Town.
Now it's their turn to be knocked off their perch by the teams below them, but it is a position 'Nicksy' is more than happy to be in.
“Maybe we flew under the radar a bit. This year, we are there to be shot down. But if you asked me that twelve months ago if that would be the scenario going forward, I'd be happy to be in that position. It was a lot of hard work to get there and there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
Celtic form's since the resumption of soccer in Mayo has been hit and miss. They secured a huge win over FAI Junior Cup semi-finalists Athenry in the last-16 of the T.P. Brennan Connaught Cup but were dumped out in brutal fashion at the hands of Salthill Devon the following round last Sunday, as well as an opening round loss in the Calor Gas Super Cup at the hands of Ballina Town several weeks ago.
They will look to strike back quickly as they begin their title defence tomorrow morning (Sunday) with a trip to Ballyglass.
One man Ballyglass will have to try to stop is Mayo Football League Player of the Year Jordan Loftus.
He made his return Celtic last year and had a season to remember, as his haul of 28 league goals (49 goals in total across all competitions) helped end Celtic's eight-year wait for a league title.
“Yeah, definitely. I didn't really expect to kick on as much as I did. I know my capabilities but I definitely exceeded those last year,” said Loftus.
“Obviously, you look to build on every game, and build upon each season. I'm looking forward to that challenge and hopefully we rise to it also.”
Additions
But Celtic will be without the services of several of their title-winning team, including veteran Ger O'Boyle, Cathal Coyne, Jose Sola, Liam Flatley and Martin Walsh. But they have added former Snugboro United player Johnny Walsh to their ranks as well as former underage players Gareth Dunne and Liam Whyte, the latter returning from a stint at Sligo Rovers.
“We've lost players also with the likes of Cathal, Gerard, Jose and Martin . They'd grace any team in the Super League,” said McNicholas.
“But we've brought in the likes of John Walsh and Lerlah and Basho Hay. Liam has come back as well as Gareth. It gives us that bit of hunger and competition well as that bit of freshness within the squad too.”
Pictured is Castlebar Celtic striker Jordan Loftus. PHOTO: MICHAEL DONNELLY.