Castlebar Celtic - 0 Shamrock Rovers - 2: Shamrock Rovers had sufficient savvy to clear this awkward hurdle at Celtic Park yesterday. Though Castlebar's football was loaded with commitment, the Hoops' thoughtful approach delighted the travelling contingent.
Prompted by midfield duo Ray Scully and David Cassidy, Rovers bossed the game after the interval.
Willie Doyle clipped the opening goal after 47 minutes, steering the ball home from close range following a neat exchange between Ger O'Brien and Jamie Duffy.
Substitute Pádraig Armond sealed victory 20 minutes from time after goalkeeper Ciarán Kelly had thwarted a blistering Doyle drive. Celtic midfielder Stevie Ryan was dismissed in stoppage time.
CASTLEBAR CELTIC: Kelly; Hopkins (P Neary, 88 mins) Dykes, O'Dwyer, A Neary; Burke (Ainsworth, 76 mins), Ryan, McHale, Gibbons, Kelly; Campbell (Fitzpatrick, 61 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; O'Brien, Price, Ryan, Clarke; Duffy, Scully, Cassidy, Shields (McGill, 88 mins); Sheppard (Armond, 53 mins), Doyle (Purcell, 80 mins).
Referee: T Kelly (Westmeath)
