Trim Celtic display plenty of promise

Trim Celtic carved out a third successive Meath & District Premier League victory when they proved too resourceful for Carrick Rovers at Tully Park on Sunday morning. The previously unbeaten Monaghan side side arrived in Trim at the top of the table and shaped up with a lot of promise during a frantic opening period. The tackles were flying in on both sides and referee Brendan Cruise was flashing yellow like a pedestrian crossing. Trim's Alan Douglas was the first recipient, Carrick's Lorcan Kwan was next and a few other players were fortunate to escape censure. Wind-assisted Carrick dictated and Kwan had a well-struck header cleared off the line as hosts Trim soaked up the pressure. As the game developed Trim gradually took control, but were fortunate to hit the front in the 25th minute when James Goggins got in the way of an attempted Carrick clearance and finished to the net. Trim absorbed more pressure for the remainder of the half with goalkeeper Barry Callagahn saving well from a precise Barry Woods free close to the interval. Trim also missed a good chance to extend their advantage when Mark McCormack was wayward and shortly after the resumption he was denied when Kwan's late tackle averted danger. Carrick never looked like staging a second-half recovery after David Conway finished to the net in the 55th minute. McCormack swung in a free that was awarded after Woods performed a yellow card-style tackle, Clint Marron fumbled and Conway finished. There was no way back for the Monaghan side at that stage and after Trim had penalty claims waved away the overdue third goal arrived from Dimi Higgins with 12 minutes remaining. This was solid performance by Trim Celtic and while it's difficult to gauge their title prospects after only three games, they will certainly be involved at the business end of the table. Conway and Cyril Halton form a solid central defensive partnership, Goggins also looks like a valuable addition to the panel, but they struggled at times on the right flank and Douglas had to be careful after his early yellow card. Michael Corrigan was a pivotal figure in midfield and if Trim can maintain Sunday's momentum, then manager Brian McCreary has plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Carrick didn't demonstrate any great appetite for a battle and also looked brittle at the back, but the elements made it difficult for both teams. Trim Celtic can keep the winning run intact when they host Square Utd next Sunday. Trim Celtic - B Callaghan; A Douglas, J Goggins, D Conway, C Halton, M Corrigan, K Jones, D Higgins, C Smith, M McCormack, S McGowan. Subs - P Campbell for McGowan 60 mins, D Dohohoe for Goggins and S Fitzgerald for Higgins both 78m Carrick Rovers - C Marron; G McCarthy, L Kwan, G Connolly, N Babbington, B Martin, J O'Rourke, B Woods, E Lynch, P Byrne, W Kerley. Subs - J Hunt for O'Rourke 62 mins, D Trainor for Kwan 65m. Referee - Brendan Cruise.