Trim Celtic let the chance to go top of the table slip in Tully Park. In an excellent game both sides served up some wonderful football but the result was heartbreaking for Trim. Having received the terrible news that Aaron Newman had suffered a broken leg on Friday night Trim received another setback when team captain Keith Jones was forced to pull with injury. The game started at a frantic pace and it was Trim who looked the more likely to get the first goal. Indeed if it was not for some heroic saves from the Duleek keeper Trim could easily have led the match at the break by 3 goals but just before half time, on a rare attack Duleek open the scoring when a long ball forward found there centre forward who finished well to give Duleek the lead. Trim came out in the second half and showed great character to get back on level terms when Derek Donohoe’s first time shoot from 20 yards flew into the net. From then on in Trim tried to get the winner but again the Duleek keeper came to the rescue. But with time just up a long ball out of defense by Duleek found them on a 4 v 2 situation and they scored the winner. While the result does not totally rule out Trim chances of taking the Premier honors this year it does mean that we will have to rely on other results to go our way. Everybody involved in Trim Celtic would like to send our best wishes to Aaron Newman on a speedy recovery.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Mark Gilsenan, Cyril Halton, David Conway, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Colm Harte, Paul Munnelly, Derek Donohoe, Diarmuid Higgins

Subs:   Seamus Harte for Diarmuid Higgins, Ross Campbell for Paul Munnelly, Keith Pappard, Johnny Corrigan, John Kelly

Trim Celtic picked up all 3 points in this match on a beautiful evening in Tully Park. The win which was watched by a huge crowd keeps Trim in the hunt for Premier League honors. In fairness Square started very brightly and had the majority of possession while never really threatening to score. The shape of the game changed when on the 20 min mark Derek Donohoe was hacked down just on the edge of the box as he was bearing down on goal. The Square defender was sent off and this changed the shape of the game. Paul Munnelly caused plenty of problems down the right with some great runs. Just before half time David Conway turned well inside the box to put Trim one up. Trim started the second half brightly but with Squares defence playing strong hard football chances were hard to come by. Trim got a let off when square hit the cross-bar. Diarmuid Higgins was introduced with 20 mins remaining and he had an immediate impact turning well inside the box to finish off a good move involving Paul Gilsenan and Derek Donohoe. Paul Cambell was outstanding in the middle for Trim and the defence of Conway, Gilsenan, Fitzsimons and Halton were rock solid. With 10 mins remaining David Conway latched onto a corner to finish the game off.

Next up Duleek on Sunday at 11.15 in Tully Park

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Mark Gilsenan, Cyril Halton, David Conway, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Keith Jones, Paul Munnelly, Derek Donohoe, Paul Gilsenan

Subs:    Diarmuid Higgins for Paul Munnelly, Damien McGhee for Derek Donohoe, John Kelly for Paul Campbell, Johnny Corrigan, Stephen Farrell

 Division PREMIER DIVISION                       

           Team                      P   W   D   L    F    A  Pts

      Rock Celtic                   20  13   6   1   61   27  45

      Trim Celtic                   20  14   2   4   56   24  44

      Carrick Rovers            19  13   3   3   45   31  42

      Woodview Celtic         20  12   0   8   59   46  36

      Duleek                              18  11   3   4   29   26  36

      Albion Rovers               19   9   3   7   41   36  30

      Glenmuir Utd                 22   6   6  10   38   42  24

      Clones Town                   17   5   5   7   37   37  20

      Square Utd                      21   3   9   9   26   39  18

      Ardee Celtic                    21   4   3  14   30   58  15

      Glaslough Villa               21   4   1  16   25   61  13

      Torro Utd                          20   3   3  14   27   47  12

Trim Celtic showed great character to bounce back from last week’s setback with a commanding performance in Dundalk. Trim were always on top in a must win game for Celtic and the 3 points keeps them in the hunt for the title. Early in the first half Trim lost Dominic Martin with an injury and he was replaced by John Kelly. After a few positional chances John Kelly opened the scoring when he was set up by Derek Donohoe. Mickey Corrigan added a second when he chipped the Woodview keeper from 20 yards. Then Kelly added Trims 3^rd with a superb left foot strike. Cyril Halton got Trims 4^th when he finished off a great move involving Paul Munnelly and Derek Donohoe. Then the hero of the day John Kelly got the fifth and his hat-trick when he beat 2 defenders before calmly rounding the keeper. Next up for Trim is a game on wednesday at 7pm v Square in Tully Park and then on Sunday v Duleek at 11am again in Tully Park.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Mark Gilsenan, Cyril Halton, Dominic Martin, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Keith Jones, Derek Donohoe, David Conway

Subs:    John Kelly for Dominic Martin

One minute of madness cost Trim Celtic the 3 points they deserved from this game. The first 45 mins of the game saw Trim put in there best display of the season, totally dominating possession and always in control. The opening goal of the game came after 30mins when Paul Campbell’s superb free kick flew into the top corner of the net. Carrick came out in the second half with more spirit but it never looked like they were going to break down a Trim side with the best defensive record in the league. Trim were unlucky not to go 2 up after David Conways’s header come off the post with the keeper beaten. Then with 18mins remaining Carrick struck twice in the space of a minute in 2 rare attacks. Trim pressed for an equalizer but were frustrated and time ran out. This result leaves it tight at the top of the premier division with it all still to play for.  

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Mark Gilsenan, Cyril Halton, Keith Jones, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Aaron Newman, Colm Harte, Derek Donohoe, David Conway

Subs:    Seamus Harte fro Richie Fitzsimons, Paul Munnelly, Johnny Corrigan, Dominic Martin, John Kelly

Another 3 points and another clean sheet for Trim Celtic as the Premier League table gets tight at the top. This win may be all about Derek Donohoe and his 4 goals but overall this was a great team performance. Having hit the crossbar and missed a penalty Trim took the lead after 28mins when Donohoe collected the ball on the edge of the box from Paul Campbell. He turned, went past 2 defenders before finishing hard and low past the Woodview keeper. One up at half time and Trim got the perfect start to the second half when a cross by Aaron Newman was met by the head of Donohoe and the ball flew into the top corner. After that it was all one way traffic and Donohoe’s hat trick arrived after 65mins when his spectacular volley from the edge of the box gave the Woodview keeper no chance. Not content with the hat-trick Donohoe added a 4^th after good work from Mick Corrigan and Paul Campbell put Donohoe in on goal and he made no mistake from 8 yards out. Paul Munnelly added a fifth after another good passing movement involving Corrigan, Newman and Campbell ended up with Munnelly finishing off the move with a very well taken goal.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Mark Gilsenan, Cyril Halton, Ross Campbell, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Aaron Newman, Keith Jones, Derek Donohoe, David Conway

Subs:     Paul Munnelly for Keith Jones, Johnny Corrigan for Derek Donohoe, Dominic Martin for Richie Fitzsimons

A scoreless first half saw Trim dominate the possession but failing to put the finishing touch to some good moves. Twice Glaslough cleared off the line but they deserved to be still in the match at half time. In the second half Trim continued to press for the opener and Paul Gilsenan and Aaron Newman were at the heart of Trims attacks. Finally Derek Donohoe opened the scoring when his 20 yard effort caught the Glaslough keeper by surprise. David Conway was unlucky not to add a second and the Glaslough keeper saved well at the feet of Paul Gilsenan. Then a long kick out caught the Trim defence off guard and Glaslough equalized. Trim fought back well after this setback and a well worked free kick by Paul Campbell and Derek Donohoe saw Trim retake the lead when Aaron Newman was on hand at the back post to cleverly flick the ball into the net and secure all 3 points for Trim Celtic.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Mark Gilsenan, Cyril Halton, Ross Campbell, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Aaron Newman, Paul Gilsenan, Derek Donohoe, David Conway

Subs:     Alan Douglas for Richie Fitzsimons, Diarmuid Higgins for Michael Corrigan, Dominic Martin, Paul Munnelly, Johnny Corrigan

Despite having some key players unavailable through injury this was a solid performance by Trim Celtic who played all the football and fully deserved the win. Trim started brightly and passed the ball around well. After 20 mins Paul Campbell’s free kick from just outside the area came back to him off the Ardee wall and he caught the ball beautifully on the volley to put Trim one up. The second half started again with Trim dominant and a great move involving Richie Fitzsimmons, Diarmuid Higgins and Derek Donohoe allowed David Conway to finish well from 6 yards out. Mick Corrigan then added the 3^rd when his diving header from Aaron Newman’s corner flew into the back of the net. Derek Donohoe wrapped up the scoring when he was played through by Newman and he chipped the ball over the advancing keeper for another excellent finish.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Dominic Martin, Cyril Halton, Ross Campbell, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Aaron Newman, Diarmuid Higgins, Derek Donohoe, David Conway

Subs:    Paul Munnelly for Ross Campbell, Johnny Corrigan for Paul Campbell, Jamie Lee for Derek Donoghue

A fully deserved 3 points for Trim Celtic again on there travel’s. Trim started the better  and when Diarmuid Higgins was fouled on the edge of the box Paul Campbell stepped up to put the ball into the top corner with a superb free kick. Trim could have been 2 up soon after that when the Square defense cleared a ball off the line and then Derek Donohue was denied by some good goalkeeping. 15mins before the break a long ball by the square keeper caught Trim flatfooted and Square equalized against the run of play. In the second half Trim again dominated and when Derek Donohue was put through by Mark Gilsennan, Donohue made no mistake to put Trim 2-1 up. Another goal line clearance denied Trim a 3^rd and then the woodwork saved Square after a good delivery from Aaron Newman found Donohue in the box. Trim then failed to deal with another long ball and the Square striker finished very well to level the game. Trim went in search of the winner but were again denied by a goal line clearance. However 13 mins from time a clever ball by Donohue put Diarmuid Higgins in on goal and the he made no mistake with a cool finish to give Trim the 3 points.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Dominic Martin, Mark Gilsenan, Cyril Halton , Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Aaron Newman, Diarmuid Higgins, Derek Donohoe, David Conway

Subs:    Jamie Lee, John Kelly, Johnny Corrigan, Paul Munnelly 

Trim Celtic earned a hard earned point against a strong and resolute Glenmuir side in Tully Park. The first half saw Trim unable to break the Glenmuir defence but on the 30 min mark Paul Campbell did have the ball in the Glenmuir net following an excellent corner by Mark McCormack but the referee disallowed the goal and awarded a free out. Trim then lost Mark McCormack through injury after 35mins. With the game scoreless at half time and on a rare attack Glenmuir were awarded a penalty when there center forward pushed the ball past Cyril Halton and went down. The penalty was converted and Trim had to battle very hard to get back into the game. With 20mins remaining, and following good work from Colm Harte down the left,  the ball fell to Richie Fitzsimons inside the box and he made no mistake from 8 yards out. Trim then lost Colm Harte and Keith Jones through injury. Neither side had any real opportunity to win the game and a draw was a fair result. This point keeps Celtic’s good league run going and they are now unbeaten in the league since last October.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, David Conway, Cyril Halton, Keith Jones, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Aaron Newman, Stephen Farrell, Mark McCormack, Colm Harte,

Subs:  Johnny Corrigan fro Mark McCormack, Paul Munnelly for Colm Harte, Dominic Martin for Keith Jones, Jamie Lee

Thanks to the generosity of Dempsey Travel in Trim, Celtic were able to make the very long Journey to Glaslough in a team bus. With spirits in the team high a 5 star performance gave Trim the 3 points. Derek Donoghue opened the scoring when he was set up by his striking partner David Conway. Donoghue then turned provider when his superb control inside the penalty area allowed him to lay the ball to Conway who finished well from 8 yards out. Indeed if it was not for some good goalkeeping from the Glaslough keeper this game could have been well over at half time. Mc Cormack and Newman set up attack after attack and with Corrigan and Campbell running the midfield, Celtic controlled the game brilliantly. The second half saw Conway complete his hat-trick with 2 well taken goals. Paul Campbell finished well after a great delivery from Mark McCormack. Another clean sheet for Trims back line of O’Callaghan, Halton, Gillsenan, Jones and Fitzsimons was the icing on the cake for this performance. Thanks also to Billy McEvoy who supplied the team with some well earned food for the journey home.

Team: Barry O’Callaghan, Richie Fitzsimons, Mark Gillsenan, Cyril Halton, Keith Jones, Michael Corrigan, Paul Campbell, Aaron Newman, David Conway, Derek Donoghue, Mark McCormack

Subs:  Jamie Lee for Mark McCormack, Danny Quinn for Derek Donoghue, John Kelly for Paul Campbell