At a time when most people have taken out the six-inch nail and hung up the boots Dominic ‘The BAT’ Martin is on the cusp of playing one of the biggest games in his career.

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AT a time when most people have taken out the six-inch nail and hung up the boots Dominic ‘Domo’ Martin is on the cusp of playing one of the biggest games in his career.

Trim Celtic have earned a place in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup, a competition that started with 650 teams four months ago.

Not only that they are just two games away from qualifying for a place in the FAI Senior Cup. Dizzy days for the Hoops.

They have been drawn to play away to Limerick side Carew Park. It’s a difficult assignment, but one that won’t faze Martin. He has seen it all before and now has a copyright on the t-shirt.

Martin, who has turned the big four O, has been playing as long as the Meath & District League (and its predecessor the Mid-Meath League) have been in existence.

He kicked-off his career with Turmec, one of the pioneers of the league, before moving on to have spells with Railway Rovers, Spartans, NLR (who became Trim Town) and Trim Celtic.

Now close to 10 years with the Tully Park outfit, Martin can look back at some seasons when they struggled to make an impact.

Then there were the good times. And right up there among his best days was Trim Celtic’s victory over Albion Rovers in the MDL Challenge Cup final in 2001.

Throughout his career Martin has played at midfield or in defence. These days he is an ever-present at the heart of the Trim Celtic backline – an experienced braveheart among a group of largely young warriors.

If he avoids injury Martin will take his place at the heart of the defence once more for the joust with Carew Celtic.

Trim Celtic’s progress through the treacherous waters of one of the biggest competitions in Europe has surprised many people, but not Martin.

He has been impressed with the way his team have pulled together when faced with formidable foes.

“The lads have worked very hard in each game. They have played for each other and shown plenty of character and good morale. We train two nights a week at the MDL and we have been getting good turn-outs each night,” he explained.

Martin owes much of his longevity to the fact that he has avoided serious injury with only the usual knocks and bruises halting his progress.

He also keeps a close watch on his fitness. After most games and training sessions he makes use of a hot tub installed in his home, an important part his regime.

Then there is the enthusiasm, the sheer enjoyment of going out each Sunday afternoon and playing the game he has been infatuated with for most of his life. So far there is little sign of that enthusiasm diminishing in any way.

“I’ll keep playing in the first team as long as I can and as long as I am selected. Then I’ll go down to the second team and take it from there. I enjoy the game very much and don’t intend to pack it in just yet, but sooner or later you have to step down.”

Martin has been a Tranmere Rovers fan for many years and he counts among his acquaintances former Irish striker and ex-Tranmere manager John Aldridge.

They have met many times, sometimes after internationals and other occasions after games at Prenton Park, the home of the club Martin has visited on occasions. Aldridge also made a number of appearances at events in Trim.

When they talk there is usually a joke or two. “He calls me the mad lad from Trim,” adds Martin with a laugh. One of the features of Aldridge’s career that Martin admires was that the striker played up until he hit 40.

Soccer has not always been Martin’s number one sport. When he was younger, much younger he showed plenty of promise as a Gaelic footballer. He was on the Meath u-21 team that won a Leinster title in the mid-1980s. Among his teammates were Bernard Flynn, Brian Stafford and Bobby O’Malley.

It is another cameo from a long career. A victory by Trim Celtic over Carew Park would constitute another great day for Martin. A fine achievement for a player who is holding back the years better than most.

Written by
Jimmy Geoghegan, Meath Chronicle issue date Sat 29th January 2005

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Premier Division

Trim Celtic 2 – 1 Square Utd

Halftime: 1 – 1

Trim Celtic scorers: Paul Rispin, Keith Jones

Trim Celtic struggled through their first league match since early November but still came out with this win at the MDL. Paul Rispin put Celtic ahead within ten minutes when he curled home a superb free kick. Celtic could have doubled their lead but Shane Ashe crashed his header off the crossbar. Square drew level with a headre from a free kick.
The second half saw Ashe again rattle the bar this time with a superb volley from all of thirty yards. Square also hit the bar with a strike from the edge of the area. Paul Campbell had a shot cleared off the line before Keith Jones superbly drilled the winner into the top corner from twenty five yards.

Best for Trim Celtic were Keith Jones, Andrew Reilly and David Fagan

Trim Celtic: Barry O’Callaghan, Ciaran Rispin, Keith Joines, Andy Reilly, Dominic Martin, Noel Payne, Paul Campbell, David Fagan, David Conway, Shane Ashe, Paul Rispin

Subs: Craig O’Hanlon (for Noel Payne), Paul Bartley (for Shane Ashe), Ciaran Mulvenna (for Paul Rispin), David Campbell

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Premier Reserve

Dromin 2 – 3 Trim Celtic

Halftime: 1 – 0

Trim Celtic scorers: Ross Campbell 2, Adam Englishby

After a very poor first half Trim Celtic’s hard work & never say die attitude helped earn a second consecutive away victory. Ross Campbell continued his fine form by coming off the bench to score twice.

Best for Trim Celtic were Johnny Connolly, Fergus Fagan and Ross Campbell.

Trim Celtic: Roger Wheeler, Stephen Jones, Fergus Fagan, David Campbell, John Kelly, Mark Scanlon, Johnny Connolly, Aidan Leonard, Guisseppe Sanzo, Gordon Flood, Adam Englishby

Subs: Peter Dilworth (for Guisseppe Sanzo), Ross Campbell (for Adam Englishby)

Trim Celtic brush aside Ardee in the Challenge Cup second round after a 3-1 victory, goals from David Conway, Noel Payne and Paul Rispin.

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Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Ardee Celtic 1 – 3 Trim Celtic

Halftime: 0 – 0

Trim Celtic scorers: David Conway, Noel Payne, Paul Rispin

This was a hard founght but deserved victory for Trim Celtic. Having switched the game from Tully Park to Ardee’s splendid new grounds just outside the town to help alleviate their fixture congestion Celtic progressed to the next round courtesy of a fine second half display.

The first half was very even with Shane Ashe coming closest for Trim when he side-footed just wide and had another shot saved by the keeper. At the other end Ardee flashed a header over the bar, the rest of the attempts at goal from both sides were long-ranged effots that failed to trouble either keeper.

Trim Celtic started the second half brighter and took the lead within ten minutes of the restart. After controlling possession on the edge of the Ardee box Paul Campbell drilled a low shot that was blocked by an opposing defender. The resulting rebound fell at the feet of David Conway who side footed home from six yards. Minutes later Trim doubled their lead when a short corner routine was volleyed home excellently by Noel Payne at the second attempt. Celtic were controlling possession well until a defensive error let Ardee in to narrow the deficit. Trim had to weather some pressure from the home side but regained the initiative with a couple of surging runs from Keith Jones and Paul Rispin down the left wing. With the last kick of the game Paul Rispin converted Craig O’Hanlon’s long throw in to secure victory.

Best for Trim Celtic were Keith Jones, David Fagan and Noel Payne

Trim Celtic: Barry O’Callaghan, Ciaran Rispin, Keith Jones, Dominic Martin, John Bligh, Noel Payne, Paul Campbell, David Fagan, David Conway, Paul Rispin, Shane Ashe

Subs: Craig O’Hanlon (for Shane Ashe), Paul Bartley (for David Conway), Andy Reilly

Carew Park(Limerick) v Trim Celtc

FAI Junior Cup Odds