Westport and Celtic played out a winner takes all league decider in Milebush last night, and served up a thriller for the great crowd that attended. After only 2 mins, Utd suffered a double blow from the first corner of the match. Celtics impressive midfielder Paul Walsh rose highest to power a header to the back of Utds net, and to make matters worse, Westport winger Kian Moore received a kick to the back and had to be substituted. I’m happy to report, that after being seen in the hospital, Kian
Was let home with bruising & ligament damage, but thankfully no serious damage. Malcolm McEvilly replaced the aforementioned Moore and immediately started to cause the Celtic defence problems, and they deservedly drew level when Sam Walsh came in off the left wing to coolly slot home a cross from Oisin Ryall. Level at the break, Utd came out of the traps the quicker and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. After good work from the tireless Cillian Heaney, he picked out a great cross and again it was Walsh coming in off the left wing to score his second. The confidence was now oozing out of the covies, and they were so unlucky not to go 3-1 up. After a great move involving Joe Grady, Rossa McAllister, Oisin Ryall and Heaney,the latter picked out a wonderful cross into the six yard box, which unfortunately McAllister or Walsh couldn’t connect with. Then within a couple of mins, Celtic drew level, when Callum Lavelle ran on to a through ball down Utds left and made no mistake. Both sides went all out for the winner and with 4 mins to go Celtics Paul Walsh grabbed his second, with a goal worthy to win any match. With the referee indicating an additional 4 mins of injury time , the covies threw everything at Celtic, and with virtually the last kick of the game, captain Heaney was clean through with just the keeper to beat and with him at the edge of his box, Cillian went for the chip , which agonisingly didn’t have the required elevation on it to beat the Celtic keeper, and that was that. A great game, and great advert for Youths football in Mayo. Westport had heroes all over the pitch, but special mention must go to Padraig Murphy,Caomhainn O’Toole,Ryall,Walsh,Heaney& McAllister. Westport still have a Q/F tie in the Connaught Cup away to Renmore to play, and on last nights performance, confidence is high.
Westport Utd: Tommy Scahill,Joe Grady,Tim Campion,Padraig Murphy,Shane McGovern,Oisin Ryall,Caomhainn O’Toole,Rossa McAllister,Kian Moore,Sam Walsh,Cillian Heaney(capt).
Subs: Malcolm McEvilly,Ryan Askin,John Grady,Dylan O’Malley,Danny Feehan,Ted Horan,Joshua Lally & Harrison Quinn.