Another cup exit at Tully Park as Celtic lose again

For the second time in the space of a week Trim Celtic were knocked out of a cup competition - this time by top Dublin side St Kevin's Boys in the Leinster Junior Cup. Trim began the game in control and imposed themselves on their opponents with quick one and two-touch passing leaving the St Kevin's midfield at odds. However, their inability to defend crosses into the penalty area proved their downfall as a goalmouth scramble after seven minutes saw the ball break to Alan Connors who gave the visitors an early lead. In the aftermath of the goal, Celtic got the ball on the ground and began to control again. They had all the possession, but with a lack of movement up front, nothing clear-cut was created and the match remained cagey. St Kevin's were frustrated with their own lack of possession and proceeded to go to ground with some dangerous tackles, the majority of which were penalised. On one occasion midway through the half Derek Donohoe was fouled with a two-footed challenge by St Kevin's centre-half Conor Dillon, who escaped with a caution for what could have been a red card. The remainder of the half went by with very little chances, apart from a couple of decent Trim counter-attacks that could not be capitalised on due to a poor final delivery. The Hoops may well have counted themselves lucky to be only a goal behind at the break when a curling ball by the impressive Graham Sullivan skimmed past Trim 'keeper Barry Callaghan and marginally wide. Trim attacked with a lot more conviction from the beginning of the second half - creating a string of chances. The first opportunity came when the unusually quiet Paul Campbell chipped a magnificently weighted pass to Donohoe, who with expert control took it past his marker, only for his effort to go over the crossbar from the edge of the box. Scott McGowan was next to test the away side's goalkeeper Austin Hannon, with a curling ball from the left that was tipped off the crossbar and over. And just as Celtic looked more likely to score, a counter-attack by St Kevin's caught them short. Alan Talbot whipped a ball onto the head of the unmarked Stephen Larkin for him to nod with little power into the corner of the net and give his side a two-goal cushion. Trim's heads didn't drop however as they piled pressure on their opponents and were rewarded, but only just! Mark McCormack whipped in a sublime free that the visitors failed to clear - one shot was parried by Hannon into substitute David Conway's path and he fired it over the line from six-yards? Referee Joe Dyas awarded the goal, but St Kevin's were incensed at the decision, believing that Hannon had done enough to keep the ball from crossing the line. The controversial goal gave Trim a much-needed lifeline and they pushed on for an equaliser with a half an hour remaining at Tully Park. Although similar to when they were chasing the equaliser earlier, Trim left themselves very open at the back and a cross from the right found St Kevin's Alan Connors in space, but the midfielder fired high over the crossbar. The next opportunity fell to Trim and again McCormack was the instigator. He took a fine free that was met by Campbell at the back post, but his header was saved brilliantly by Hannon. The last 20 minutes saw St Kevin's play very deep, sitting with every man behind the ball in an attempt to hold onto their minimal lead. Trim pressed and passed, trying to carve out an opening, but with St Kevin's striker Stephen Higgins playing as a third centre-half, they were difficult to break down. The hosts best chances came from set pieces and a similar cross by McCormack saw Campbell's header saved again by Hannon. The irony of Celtic threatening from crosses and set pieces was that they often seemed incapable of defending them. Connors had another marvellous chance to wrap the game up, but upon going one-on-one with Callaghan he hit the ball the wrong side of the post, In the meantime Trim made their second substitution when Dimi Higgins replaced McGowan and he made an immediate impact, taking on Fran Matthews and squaring right across the goalmouth, with nobody there to tap it in. Higgins was on hand again when in the dying seconds his bicycle kick hit the outside of the post and went wide in the last touch of the game. Trim Celtic - B Callaghan; K Jones, J Goggins, C Halton, A Douglas, S McGowan, P Campbell, M Corrigan, C Smyth, M McCormack, D Donohoe. Subs - D Conway for Smyth, D Higgins for McGowan. St Kevin's Boys - A Hannon; P McMillan, F Matthews, R Carrig, C Dillon, A Talbot, A Murphy, A Connors, S Larkin, G Sullivan, S Higgins. Subs - C Burke for A Talbot. Referee- Joe Dyas (Louth Branch).