Town ease past Celtic in cup derby

Combined Counties Cup second round: Mullingar Celtic 0, Mullingar Town 4 (S Watkins x2, D Kiernan, D Dyer)

In a windswept, cold and damp Raithín on Sunday morning last, a real local derby in every sense of the word was won emphatically by Mullingar Town, who showed why they are two divisions higher in the CCFL than their newly-formed opponents and neighbours, Mullingar Celtic.

Celtic, playing on their home pitch and buoyed by a large following, never really hit the heights of last summer or the impressive form they have shown to lead their division. They struggled for large periods of this game, which Town dominated for long periods.

The four-goal winning margin did not flatter Town, as they were certainly worth the victory, but Celtic’s sheer endeavour and never-say-die spirit warranted more, although they fashioned very few chances over the 90 minutes.

Town led 3-0 at the break and increased that lead to four two minutes into the second half, and from that time on, the game fizzled out as a contest. That said, it was fine entertainment on a miserable morning for the large attendance, despite the inclement weather.

Town started the better and held sway in the opening ten minutes, with Sam Watkins going close with a header – possibly their best chance. But Celtic were slowly finding their feet too, and after Ben Walsh fired over from close range, Ian Keelan was narrowly wide with an effort after a defensive town blunder.

Town began to reassert their authority though, and after Sean Reid had gone close himself, he crossed an absolute beauty to the head of Sam Watkins, who nodded brilliantly past a stranded Christy Keena in the Celtic goal, and Town led 1-0 after 25 minutes.

Celtic panicked for a time and they were further punished seven minutes later when Darragh Kiernan crossed, Reid rose to head goalward and Watkins tapped in from two yards as a static Celtic defence looked on in horror.

That two became three on 38 minutes when a long-range free from Kiernan was despatched quite brilliantly to the corner of the net, and in the space of 13 minutes the game had run completely away from the home side.

Joe Doyle and the impressive Keelan had half-chances for the men in green, but they were squandered, and at the break Town led by three after a fairly dominant first half.

If Celtic wanted to get back in the game then they got the worst possible start when they conceded a fourth two minutes into the half, when after some superb approach play, David Dyer let fly from distance. From the time it left his boot it was only going one place as it rocketed to the net for a stunning goal that even at this early stage as good as settled the affair.

Joe Doyle almost pulled one back when he rattled the crossbar form long range, and Ryan Dempsey was denied by Adrian Rapacki in the Town goals. But that was as good as it got for Celtic as the game dipped in quality and intensity.

A raft of substitutes followed from both sides as they emptied their benches, but in truth it was poor stuff in driving rain at this stage, and it seemed as if both sides had settled for their lot.

Darragh Kiernan did net for Town late on, but it was ruled out for offside, and Watkins almost added a fifth after great work by sub Keith Hope.

But it was four for the Town and bragging rights until at least the next time these sides meet, after what was a workmanlike and clinical display from the D’Alton Park Club.

Mullingar Town: Adrian Rapacki; Paul Reid, David Mimnagh, Darren Keena, Jason Charles, Sean Reid, Mark Hickey, David Dyer, Sam Watkins, Enda Morris, Darragh Kiernan. Subs: Alan Cashman for P Reid (63), Kevin Keegan for Hickey (67), Enda Matthews for S Reid (67), Keith Hope for Morris (67), Breece Fadian for Keena (72).

Mullingar Celtic: Christy Keena; Gearóid Sheridan, Shane Keena, Johnny Mee, Colm Baker, Joe Doyle, Ryan Dempsey, Ian Keelan, Ben Walsh, Ciaran Shanley, Rory Daly. Subs: Dean Scully for Walsh (63), James Stenson for Daly (66), Stephen Nally for Doyle (70), Dylan Cannon for Baker (71), Robbie Doyle for S Keena (71).

Ref: Declan Toland.