Castlebar Celtic F.C.

Castlebar Celtic F.C. (Irish: Cumann Peile Caisleán an Bharraigh Ceiltigh) is an Irish association football club based in Castlebar, County Mayo. They currently play in the Mayo Association Football League. They have previously fielded teams in the League of Ireland U20 Division, the A Championship and the Connacht Senior League. The club previously operated a women's team.

This article is about the men's football club. For the women's football club, see Castlebar Celtic W.F.C.

Castlebar Celtic F.C.
Full nameCastlebar Celtic Football Club
Founded1924
GroundCeltic Park,
Castlebar,
County Mayo
Capacity1,500
ChairmanJoe Mc Donald
LeagueMayo Association Football League
League of Ireland U20 Division
A Championship
Connacht Senior League
WebsiteClub website

History

Early years

According to the club crest, Castlebar Celtic was founded in 1924. However, during the club's early years there was little activity. The club was reformed in 1928 as Castlebar Corinthians and did not become Castlebar Celtic until 1932. The name change was partly inspired by Celtic F.C.. Initially the club played only friendlies as there were no local competitions for the club to enter. One of the earliest of these friendlies in 1928 saw Westport United visit Castlebar Celtic and win 4–1. In 1937–38 an under–18 team won the club's first trophy, the Alfie Byrne Cup. This cup was awarded to the winners of a town league based in Westport.[1][2][3] During the 1940s Castlebar Celtic began to compete in provincial competitions such as the Western League and the Connacht Junior Cup. They won their first major honour in 1946–47 when they won the latter competition.[3][4]

Mayo Association Football League

In 1954, together with Westport Town, Barcastle and Quay Hearts, Castlebar Celtic became founder members of the Mayo Association Football League.[5] They finished the inaugural season as champions and together with Westport United, Castlebar Celtic became one of the league's two most successful clubs. Between 1957–58 and 1961–62 they were league champions five times in a row. In 1967–68 a Castlebar Celtic A team were champions while a Castlebar Celtic B team finished as runners up. Between 1980–81 and 1986–87 they completed another five in a row. After winning the league title in 1978–79 and 1980–81, Castlebar Celtic also went on to win the Michael Byrne Cup.[4][6]

Connacht Senior League

In 1987–88 Castlebar Celtic joined the Connacht Senior League and in their first season finished as runners up behind Galway United Reserves. In 1988–89 they went one better when they finished as champions. Castlebar Celtic clinched the title after a draw in their final game with second placed Salthill Devon. The game was rescheduled after an assault on the referee by a Salthill Devon fan caused the original fixture to be abandoned with Celtic leading 1-0.[7] Castlebar Celtic continued to play in the Connacht Senior League until 1999–2000 when it was dissolved. Although they did not win the league title again, they were runners up on two further occasions and they did win both the Connacht Senior League Incentive Cup and the Connacht Senior League Challenge Cup. In 1992–93 Castlebar Celtic also represented the Connacht Senior League in the League of Ireland Cup after finishing second behind Sligo Rovers Reserves in the 1991–92 season. Castlebar Celtic were invited to participate because reserve teams were ineligible to compete in the League of Ireland Cup.[8]

A Championship

After featuring in the 2007 League of Ireland U20 Division,[9] Castlebar Celtic became the first club from County Mayo to play in a national league. They subsequently joined the A Championship in 2009. The club was encouraged to make the move from provincial to national level after winning the 2006–07 FAI Youth Cup. Their 2009 A Championship squad included eight members of the cup winning team.[10] However, with the conclusion of the 2010 season, Celtic withdrew from the league.[11][12][13]

Ground

Castlebar Celtic originally played their home games at Fairgreen and later played at Niland's Field. In 1954 the club purchased Celtic Park, their current home, which was then known as Flannelly's Field.[3]

  • The Castlebar Celtic team that won the 1937–38 Alfie Byrne Cup, the club's first trophy

Honours

Source:[4][6][14]

References
  1. "The sad passing of Tom Ketterick". www.castlebarceltic.com. 19 February 2013. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  2. "Castlebar Celtic @ wordpress.com". castlebarceltic.wordpress.com. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  3. "Castlebar Celtic F.C. – Club History". www.castlebarceltic.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  4. "Mayo Football League Roll Of Honour" (PDF). inform.fai.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  5. "Swinford Soccer Club – Short History of Club". www.swinfordfc.ie. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  6. "Castlebar Celtic – Roll Of Honour". www.castlebarceltic.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  7. "Connacht Senior League 1980s". www.connacht-sl.netne.net. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  8. "Connacht Senior League 1990s". www.connacht-sl.netne.net. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  9. "Celtic boss resigns". www.mayonews.ie. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  10. "Newstalk A Championship Spotlight - Castlebar Celtic". www.extratime.ie. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  11. "Castlebar Celtic withdraws from League of Ireland A Championship". www.midwestradio.ie. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  12. "Ireland 2009". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  13. "Ireland 2010". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  14. "FAI Umbro Youth Challenge Cup Previous Winners". www.fai.ie. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
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