Trim turn Quay on the way to an easy win
On a pleasant autumn morning at Tully Park the home side produced some sunshine football to get their Meath & District Premier League campaign off to the best possible start on Sunday. Trim Celtic were without a couple of regulars for this game and they bulked up their squad with a few players from under-age teams. Their grounds were looking great and the players did their stuff on the field. The blend of youth and experience worked perfectly for the Hoops as they produced some neat, quick-passing football to push aside the challenge of a Quay Celtic outfit who, once they conceded, lost their way completely. Even before Paul Munnelly (pictured) put the home side a goal up after just 13 minutes the Quay Celtic players were bickering with each other, a sure indication of brittle morale. When the home side netted the opener, the cracks really started to appear. Quay Celtic, who have transferred from the Leinster Senior League this season, have enough good players to stay in the Premier, although they may find it more challenging than they first thought. For Trim Celtic there are greater heights to be scaled. They finished third at the end of last season and they will want to improve on that. The indications from this game suggested that they have the personnel and the strength-in-depth to mount a serious challenge for the title. Certainly manager Brian McCreary was happy with a display that yielded four goals in addition to a lot of neat, entertaining football. "We played well. We were very short today and we had to bring in a few young lads. They stepped up to the mark today," he said. "We were third last season and we'd be looking to push all the way, we started slowly last season. We've also a very good Saturday team, and players from that will be also pushing for places." It was 2-0 at the break. An early warning sign for Quay Celtic came when the influential Paul Campbell cracked the ball against the post from the edge of the box. Not surprisingly Campbell was involved in the creation of the opener after 13 minutes. He played a long ball into the Quay box. Their goalkeeper Kevin Mullen and a defender got in a muddle, the ball broke to Munnelly who fired home. With Mick Corrigan and Campbell busy in the engine room Trim Celtic created more chances and they also conjured up an early candidate for goal of the season. Once again Campbell delivered a sweeping pass to Michael Tyndall out on the edge of the box. There was little on yet Tyndall still managed to curl the ball into the far corner. The Dundalk side did create one of two chances with their striker Colm Smart left one-on-one with Tony McDonnell only to shoot into the side netting. One of the busiest members of the Trim Celtic contingent in that opening half was their u-17 manager Jimmy Hyland who volunteers to collect the footballs when they land in the hedge close to the pitch. The Quay Celtic defenders were under almost constant pressure and they didn't particularly care where the ball went once it left the danger zone. A little piece of skilful footwork from Mark McCormack created the third goal on 52 minutes. McCormack was sent tumbling in the box and Campell made no mistake from the spot. Richard Fitzsimons also went close with a header. Shortly after Campbell's goal Quay managed to get their only score. It was also from the penalty spot after David Conway was adjudged to have fouled Barry Walsh. Thomas McShane drove his spot-kick low to the corner of the net. There was a familiar pattern about the closing stages. Trim Celtic pressed forward, Quay relied on the break and the fourth duly arrived. Campbell headed down for Scott McGowan to shoot home from close range. A few minutes later Campbell hit the bar. By then it was game, set and match, and the points, to Trim Celtic. Trim Celtic - T McDonnell; K Jones, T Boyle, R Fitzsimons, D Conway, P Munnelly, M Corrigan, P Campbell, M McCormack, M Tyndall, S Moriarty. Subs - S McGowan for Moriarty, S Jones for Corrigan. Quay Celtic - K Mullen; P Hoey, B McKenna, D Maher, W Parkin, G Toner, R Gavigan, B Walsh, C Smart, T McShane, G Donnelly - G Watters for Parkin, S McKenna for Hoey. Referee - Brian Murphy (Louth Branch ISRS).