Carberry confident Castlebar can capture Cup from Raheny

The task ahead of Castlebar Celtic is a monumental one. Their first ever Women’s FAI Cup final will be screened on live TV, with the biggest crowd any of their players will have played in front of in the Aviva Stadium.

On top of that, their opposition are Raheny United - reigning cup and league champions and clear leaders at the top of the WNL this season. Two weeks ago, Castlebar went to Raheny for a league match and were sent packing with a 9-2 loss.

Adrian Carberry knows that his side are underdogs going into the cup final.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a big event for us,” the Celtic manager said. “But we’re under no illusions, it’s a big event for Raheny as well - although they’ve played in cup finals, they haven’t played in the Aviva. We’re hoping that levels the playing field a small bit as well.”

But belief is high in the Castlebar camp, even after they were so comfortably beaten. Speaking after the 9-2 loss in Morton Stadium, Carberry spoke of the heightened spirits around the team.

“We have a very good team, some smashing players and great belief within them. You mightn’t have seen it today but there’s great camaraderie between them which is great. It’s great to be a part of.”

On the day, Castlebar were probably the better side in the first half (by the admission of both managers), something that will give them heart as they prepare for this landmark day in the club’s history. They were level at 2-2 until a minute before half time, when Sinead O’Farrelly’s thunderbolt caught Castlebar on the break.

In the second half, a merciless United put six past Castlebar, producing the kind of attacking display that makes them deserved favourites.

“I’m disappointed with the goals [conceded], Raheny are a very good team but I think gifting them goals isn’t the way to go,” Carberry said. “We conceded three goals in the first half - two free headers in the box and then one where we counter-attacked and gave the ball away, only for [Sinead O’Farrelly] to stick in in the net from 30 yards.”

“It’s hard enough against good teams, but the disappointing thing for me was that one or two inexperienced players dropped their heads as well. It’s something for us to work on.”

But, despite their frailties, it is the first half which Castlebar will concentrate on in the build-up to Sunday’s final according to Carberry.

“When we actually went at them and closed them down we caused them a lot of problems,” he said.

“If we can cut out the mistakes we made, which will be easy enough to do, I think we’ll have a real chance. It’ll be a different team that comes out [for the cup final], a more experienced team.”