Cosmos edge out Trim Celtic

Navan Cosmos took the NEFL Premier points tonight following an absorbing tussle against Trim Celtic that saw them win 4-2 in a game that produced two red cards and about 10 yellow cards.

And this wasn't a nasty game, but there was plenty of dissent on the pitch and on the sidelines that kept referee Conor Byrne on his toes.

The referee may have had concerns in the closing stages that he was going to run out or cards of that his pen would run out of ink - such was the demand!

Trim Celtic made a bright start and Paul Munnelly had the ball in the Cosmos net after only 13 minutes, but the advantage was brief with Robbie Dillon restoring parity three minutes later.

Trim Celtic had penalty claims turned down midway through the half and the referee was reminded of that decision in the 40th minute when he pointed to the spot in favour of Cosmos - Conor Walsh converted.

The early part of the second-half was highlighted by a spate of yellow cards, but the game was illuminated in the 65th minute when Anto Burke floated a third goal for Cosmos into the top corner for a 3-1 advantage.

Three minutes later Burke departed on a second yellow and 10 minutes after that Trim Celtic were back in contention when Eoin O'Connor finished to the net.

Trim Celtic then levelled it up with Cyril Halton's departure making it 10-a-side - it extinguished Trim's chances of a real leveller and they were punished in added time when James Boland added a fourth for Cosmos.

Next up for Cosmos is the big FAI Junior Cup game against Janesboro from Limerick at the MDL on Sunday - not to be missed.

See this week's Meath Chronicle for a more detailed report on tonight's game.