Celtic 8-1 Iorras
 
On a wet and blustery day in Milebush Park last Sunday, Celtic's Under 17 side put on a display of football that would please even the harshest football critics. The last time Celtic and Iorras met was in the league in north Mayo, with the Castlebar side coming out with all three points after a 5-2 win in what the management said was the year's best performance. Celtic were confident after the league decider against local rivals Ballyheane in which they won 4-3 after a last gasp Gary Walsh winner, and it showed right from the kick off. The big pitch and greasy surface was a great advantage for Celtic as they enjoyed large spells of posession, stringing 10, 15, 20 and even 30 passes together in a row. A number of good opportunities, however, went abegging for the Celtic team. There were hints that maybe the looked a little nervous around the final quarter of the pitch and really needed a goal to settle things down. A goal did come, but it was Iorras who grabbed it with their first and only shot on target for the who game. Around 25 yards out, the Iorras midfielder let fly and the ball drifted over the head of Adam Chambers into the far right corner. The goal was met with a huge roar and Iorras's tails were now up. Celtic needed to respond, and they did. They held posession brilliantly again and didn't panic. The goal finally came, courtesy of top scorer Jordan Loftus when he was picked out at the penalty spot by Keith Mulchrone. A powerful run from Noe Baba on the left opened up some space, when Mulchrone made a great run where Noe Baba weighted a beautiful pass into his path. Mulchrone then played Loftus who showed great composure to finish the ball into the right hand corner.
 
Celtic then took the lead after a defence-splitting pas from left winger Cian Brennan. Jordan Loftus picked the ball up near the edge of the area, turned once, twice and a third time before slotting the ball neatly into the bottom right hand corner. Celtic were, at last, deservedly ahead.
 
Loftus completed his hat trick from a terrific Gerry Hunt corner which found Noe Baba 8 yards from goal. Baba leapt and powered a header towards goal, only for a slight lick from Loftus to put the ball out of the reach of the Iorras 'keeper.
 
The fourth goal came just before the break in what was another terrific team move. Noe Baba won the ball deep in Celtic's half and exchanged passes with full back Mark Howley and then left winger Cian Brennan. The ball found it's way into Colm Nevin's feet at the edge of the area. Nevin turned and struck the ball across his body with his left foot, and the ball bolted into the bottom right hand corner, well out of the reach of the Iorras 'keeper.
 
The game was wrapped up early in the second half when the outstanding Cian Brennan drove into the box and was taken down just before applying his finish. Brennan made sure he was taking the penalty himself, and he made no mistake sticking it away.
 
Celtic then introduce some fresh faces. Rory Malone replaced Mark Howley, who was outstanding all day, showing grit and poise in defence, and intelligent runs and overlaps in attack, while Kenneth McDermott replaced Keith Mulchrone, who caused all sorts of trouble on the right hand side, and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. His crosses from set pieces were also a cause for great concern for Iorras. Cian Brennan moved to full back in place of Mark Howley, and Malone took up his place on the left wing where he really imposed himself on the game. He later moved into a more central position, and again imposed himself on the game from there. Kenneth McDermott added the sixth goal with his first touch of the ball when he was released one on one with the 'keeper. McDermott shifted his body one way and finished brilliantly into the opposite corner to completely wrongfoot the goalie.
 
Patrick Boyle replaced hat-trick hero Jordan Loftus up front while Eric Eaton made his long awaited return between the posts for the hoops after breaking his arm against Iorras earlier in the campaign.
 
The scoring was completed by Gerry Hunt, who deservedly notched two goals onto his tally for the season in the closing stages of the game. The first one a confident finish from 10 yards, the second a birlliantly taken chance 5 minutes later in which he rounded the 'keeper after a terrific Rory Malone pass, and slotted the ball into the net with his left foot for his 17th goal of the season. The game finished 8-1 in what was a terrific team performance. Jordan Loftus was presented with the Man of the Match award by the Mayo Schoolboys & Youths League.
 
Captain Steve Walsh was then presented with the Henry Downes Memorial Cup by Bernie Downes and the delight could be seen on all the players' faces.
 
The management were delighted with the overall performance of the team on the day, and both Mark Togher and Michael Kilcoyne commented on the character the squad have shown since their first game against Claremorris way back in February. "We have worked very hard at games and on the training field to perfect our shape, our passing, our movement, our communication. We have absolutely no complaints with that performance today. It was flawless. Our defence is solid and well organised, our goalkeepers are both very talented. Our central midfield dominated every game this season and our wingers compliment them brilliantly. Our three strikers have bagged nearly 40 goals between them. They really are a great bunch of lads."
 
This talented squad will now be looking forward to the FAI Under 17 Cup which starts in September.
 
Celtic Squad: Adam Chambers, Erik Eaton; Mark Howley, Steve Walsh (c), Jamie Ivers, Gary Walsh, Matthew Ruane; Noe Baba, Colm Nevin, Can Brennan, Rory Malone, Keith Mulchrone, Kenny McDermott; Patrick Boyle, Jodan Loftus, Gerry Hunt.