Players see red as Trim Celtic lose out to league leaders

Although they could still, in theory at least, mount a challenge for the NEFL Premier title Trim Celtic in reality look to be out of the race after losing 1-2 to Muirhevnamor at the MDL. 

Paddy O'Reilly's side had plenty of possession in this contest but they just didn't have enough guile to make the most of some excellent approach work.

Both sides also finished the game with 10 players after a brief altercation in the middle of the field.

Referee Charlie Pierce consulted assistant Sarah Dyas before he showed red to Trim Celtic's Keith Jones and Muirhevnamor's Gary Clarke. Shortly before all that Muirhevnamor manager Tiernan Mulvenna - the former Drogheda and Dundalk player - was sent outside the fence by referee Charlie Pierce.  

Muirhevnamor who are top of the table took the lead after just four minutes with a super strike from Wayne Robinson.

Trim Celtic equalised early in the second-half when James Goggins played in Brian Faulkner and he finished expertly from close range.

It looked at that stage as if the Hoops might push on to win the game. They had plenty of possession and were winning the midfield battle.

However they were hit with a sucker punch on 74 minutes when Muirhevnamor striker Paudie Hearty finished low to the net to give his side a crucial second.

Trim Celtic kept battling away with Paul Campbell and Sean Fitzgerald going close but they just couldn't engineer an equaliser.

It would need a sustained run of victories and other results going their way for Trim Celtic to get back into the race.