The group of Trim Celtic U12 & U13 players and officials arrived safely in Etrepagny, Normandy this afternoon and the planned activities commence tonight when the boys will go bowling. They have already met their host families and have settled in and the serious business of football starts tomorrow in the town stadium. Further reports from France on the website later in the week.

The greatest privilege that could come the way of any sportsman is surely that of representing his or her country; that of putting on one’s National colours and playing on the International stage and to date this Club has seen five of its members go on to achieve the distinction of ‘wearing the green’ in International soccer.

Do you know which Trim Celtic players played for their country? Click here to find out.

The Club’s Senior Team advanced to the next round of the MDL Challange Cup this afternoon at Tully Park when they defeated visitors Longwood 2-1 in a tight encounter. Peter Keane gave Celtic the lead but the visitoprs equalised before the break. A Derek Donohoe goal settled the issue in the second half. Unfortunately Derek was later dismissed.

This afternoon at Tully Park, Celtic play in the first round of the MDL Challange Cup against visitors Longwood and they will be hoping to take the first step towards emulating the achievement of the class of 2000/01. Manager Alan Kirwan is hoping to see his side continue the good work of last week when his side overcame Clara Town in the Leinster Junior Cup.

Celtic’s one and only triumph in the Meath & District League Challange Cup was in April 2001 when they defeated Albion Rovers at United Park in Drogheda to win the cup. Celtiic’s squad that evening was Daniel Kirwan, Dominic Martin (Captain), Ciaran Rispin, Mark Gilsenan, Fergus Fagan, Ciaran Greene, Brian Smith, Kevin Meehan, Danny Quinn, David Conway, Derek Donohoe, Gordon Flood, Aaron Fay, Niall Keogh, Ronan Moore, Declan Rispin & Sean O’Rourke. The team was managed by Alan Kirwan then also. Kevin Meehan with a penelty and Brian Smith scored Celtic’s goals in a 2-1 win over the Co. Louth side.

Good luck lads!

Only one MDL team in action today. The Thirds travelled to play Ardee Celtic in Ardee and came home with a hard earned point after a 1-1 draw thanks to a Stephen Ennis goal.

Two of today’s scheduled NECSL matches fell by the wayside – Bailieboro could not field against the 15s at Tully Park and the U12 game away to Athboy fell foul of a waterlogged pitch.

Glad to report that Celtic emerged as winners in each of the three games that did get underway and pride of place goes to the U11s under the management of John Sweeney & Mark Farrell, who contunued their unbeated start to the season with a fine 7-1 demolition of visitors Johnstown at Tully Park. On target were Jack Byrne with another hat trick and Kevin Nally (pictured above scoring), Fearghal O’Hare, Stephen Moroney & Adrian Maguire who hit one each.

The U14s got back to winning ways with an impressive 5-2 win away to Ardee. On target were Conor Daly, Darragh Scannell, Darren Melia, Conor Smith & ANOther.

The U13s defeated visitors East Meath at Tully Park by a score of 4-2. The marksmen were Rian Wogan, Joey Corrigan & Joan Lehmann (2). 

See full Match Reports following.

Click here for more pictures.

Tonight’s Reserve team game away to Glenmuir has been postponed as has tomorrow’s U12 game away to Athboy.

The U15 game at home to Bailieboro is also off. Opposition unable to field.

Well ask the boys on Celtic’s U15′s who found themselves trailing 1-2 at the break in their SFAI Cup match against Ratoath Harps in Ratoath recently. Following a few carefully selected words from manager Shay Lee during the interval, the team turned on the style and ran out 4-2 winners at the end. What were the magic words Shay?

Next Monday morning a group of twenty two players and eight adults representing the Club, flies out to France to spend a week in Etrepagny, Trim’s twin town in Normany, as guests of the local football club there, USE (Football). This will be the Club’s ninth visit to Etrepagny to sample the very best of French hospitality and everyone is looking forward to an enjoyable week of football and entertainment. The group will be headed by Club Secretary Des Clancy who has travelled on all but one of the previous trips. Also travelling will be Ciaran Gaughran, former Club Chairman, himself a veteran of many previous visits.

The playing group comprises of members of the Club’s U12 and U13 squads and the highlight of the week will be the Official Test Match against the locals. Hopes are high that Trim can return to winning ways having lost the last two Tests. 

‘The week will be one of many activities for the boys. Plenty of foootball, day trips and entertainment awaits them. We will be looked after by good friends. Indeed some of them Laurent & Florence Bausmayer have been ionvolved since the exchanges started in 1988 and have always been fabulous organisers and hosts.’

The other adults travelling are Nick Nally, Des Fitzgerald, Ron Metcalfe, Michael Johnston, Mark Scanlon & Denise Quinn.

Watch out for news from France here on the Club website.

All managers, players and parents please note that next Saturday morning is a rest day for the NECSL Sevens at the MDL. Fixtures will resume on the following Saturday 4th November. Enjoy the Halloween break!