Top Mayo club set sights on advancing in FAI Junior Cup
After a commanding 5-0 victory over Cloonfad United in the third round of the FAI Junior Cup, Castlebar Celtic manager Gavin and assistant Declan Flynn are already turning their focus to their upcoming fourth-round clash against Limerick's Aisling Annacotty.
The game will be sure to evoke memories of last season’s fourth-round heartbreak when Celtic were eliminated on penalties by Pike Rovers. This time, Gavin insists, the mindset is different.
“We won’t be travelling in hope, this year we travel in expectation,” he said following the win. “It was a comprehensive victory today, and we’re delighted. Now, we’re looking forward to heading to Limerick.”
The game against Cloonfad United, originally postponed due to a bereavement in the local area, was marked by poignant gestures. Celtic captain Jordan Loftus carried poinsettias onto the field in tribute, ahead of a moments silence before kick-off. On the other side, the Cloonfad United Ultras, positioned on the bank overlooking the far end of the pitch, lit saffron and blue flares, creating a vibrant and noisy atmosphere that lifted spirits on an otherwise damp and dreary afternoon.
Despite the warm reception, Celtic found the opening exchanges challenging. A defensive setup by Cloonfad, combined with narrowing the pitch and the soggy underfoot conditions, initially disrupted Celtic’s rhythm. However, as Gavin’s men settled, their class eventually overwhelmed the hosts.
The Celtic manager noted, “It took a while to break them down, but once we did, we showed what we’re about.”
Declan Flynn echoed Gavin’s sentiments but was quick to caution against overconfidence. “We have no divine right to come down and play free-flowing football,” Flynn remarked.
Flynn and Gavin will now prepare their squad for the Limerick trip, mindful of the challenges ahead. Gavin also revealed that Celtic were missing six key players for this match. “We’ll train and regroup during the week, and we hope to get a few back,” he said.
While Celtic can relish their clinical display in the third round, the squad remains grounded. Last season’s narrow defeat to Pike Rovers serves as a reminder of the margins in knockout football, and the fourth-round clash against Aisling Annacotty is expected to be another stern test.