Can Celtic end six-year wait for Mayo Super Cup title?
THE curtain will draw down on the 2022 Mayo Football League season when Castlebar Celtic and Kiltimagh/Knock United battle it out this Sunday at 2.15 p.m. to see who will be crowned Mayo Super Cup champions.
Despite finishing below Kiltimagh/Knock in the Super League, Celtic will be coming into this game as favourites. The Hoops are on a 12-game unbeaten run – their last defeat coming against Glenhest Rovers in the league on August 6 – and have accounted for some of the biggest rivals along the way, as well as impressive wins on the road in the FAI Junior Cup.
Much of it is down to manager Stevie Gavin having a near fully fit squad to choose from. Celtic were crippled by injuries in the early part of the season, with consecutive league defeats at home to Ballyheane, Manulla and Ballina Town proving costly.
They have found their groove since, scoring 17 goals on their way to the final. They hit 10 past Crossmolina before beating Ballina Town 3-0 in the quarterfinals to set up a meeting with back-to-back Super League champions Ballyheane. Yet again, they were clinical as they hit four past Ballyheane in Celtic Park to reach the final as they look to win their first Super Cup since 2016.
But besides players being available, Celtic also have a fire lit under them and in addition to the character shown in recent weeks are playing sublime football, the likes of which haven’t been seen since their Super League triumph in 2019. Speaking after their recent win in the FAI Junior Cup over Ballinasloe Town, Jordan Loftus said Celtic have a ‘chip on their shoulder’.
“We’d win football games but we don’t lose battles anymore. A lot of times, we’d get turned over and sometimes it’d be men against boys - but not anymore.
“All guns blazing again. We fancy our chances against anyone in the country on our day, to be honest. Kiltimagh/Knock are a very good side. Paul Byrne is doing a great job with them. We know it’s going to be a tough game, like every game will be. We’re in good form and hopefully that will continue.”
HISTORY MAKERS
One of the biggest success stories of the season, however, is how Kiltimagh/Knock have performed this season. Under the duo of James Costello and Paul Byrne, they guided KK to a fourth place finish following promotion from the Premier Division.
It has been a year of firsts for the club. Their Under 18 side, in addition to winning the league title, won their first ever Quigley Cup, while the ladies won the League 2 title also. The Super League side are in their first ever Super Cup final and they were made to earn it. They came back from 3-1 in the quarterfinals to beat Glenhest Rovers 6-3 after a blistering second-half performance, while late drama saw them they beat reigning Super Cup champions Westport United 4-2 in the semi-finals.
“Good excitement in the club for the first final in the club’s history,” said Costello. “The work the club has done over years coming through now, as well as with the girls. Michael Collins has done a great job. They won a League 2 title this year.
“Our B team has done well. It’s huge for the club to have two teams in the top two divisions.”
Coming into the final, Costello knows they’re facing Mayo’s in-form side. But he believes KK have the quality to match them on the day.
“Stevie has done a great job. They’re in good form now. They’ve been in and out during the season. When they beat us in the league twice, they lost straight after each time. The additions of Johnny Cocozza and Joe Slevin have made their squad stronger. But if we can perform to our own potential, we can do well.
“It’s massive for us. At underage, we’ve always been one of the top clubs but struggled for silverware. We are now where we want to be and winning the Super Cup would be great for the club.”
It would cap off a tremendous year for Kiltimagh/Knock to make some more history at Milebush once again. Having lost to Celtic home and away in the league, they may feel they are due a win over the Hoops. But Celtic are many people’s favourites and they may have too much for Kiltimagh/Knock on the day.
Verdict: Castlebar Celtic.