Hoops hoping to make it a double

Another weekend, another big game for Trim Celtic. They certainly have had plenty of those in recent weeks and on Saturday they will aim to complete a league and cup double, by adding the Challenge Cup to the Premier trophy that's already in the bag.

If they are not careful they could end up with a sackful of silverware - like Santa Claus setting off on his travels on Christmas Eve! Not only can Trim Celtic win the NEFL Challenge Cup they are also in the hunt for the FAI Junior Cup and the Leinster Junior Cup, although the next round of those competitions won't be played until the new year.

Another opportunity to generate some seasonal cheer presents itself on Saturday when Robbie Horgan and his troops take on Bellurgan in the Challenge Cup final at the MDL, 3pm.

At least the Hoops won’t have to travel far for this one, unlike last Sunday when they made the long journey down to Cork to take on Douglas Hall in the FAI Junior Cup and came away with a 2-1 victory, Brian Faulkner bagging both goals. The Trim Celtic contingent went down on Sunday morning in a convoy of cars and returned home after the game, but the miles didn't knock the Hoops off track.

Granted, this was Douglas Hall's second team but the win constituted another notable achievement by Horgan's troops and will have added to their already well-stocked bank of confidence ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Wee County side.

There are plenty of other reasons for the Celts to be optimistic ahead of the final. There is the fact that Trim Celtic defeated Bellurgan twice already in the league, including a 6-0 hammering in one of the games. Then there is that win over Douglas Hall, Trim Celtic's 10th on the trot. Another indication of a team on a roll.

It all means the Tully Park side will go into Saturday's game as strong favourites, something manager Robbie Horgan accepts but is treating with the greatest caution.

"In a cup final all that goes out the window. I can understand why people would put us as favourites, we won the league and beat them twice this season.

"We beat them 6-0 at home but the game away from home was a completely different kettle of fish. Although we won that one 3-1 Bellurgan were a much improved side and they went on to get stronger and stronger as the season progressed."

Horgan knows a thing or two about cup finals as he was a coach at Sporting Fingal when they won the FAI Cup in 2009. He was also with Drogheda when they lost the FAI Cup decider in 2013.

"Any cup final day is one of those occasions when it's about who wants it most on the day. Who has the most hunger on the day and like everything else you need a bit of luck on the day."

Horgan has adroitly managed the team's stretched resources this season with Aaron Williams, the latest to pick up an injury in Cork but he should be fine for the final.

Bellurgan have plenty of talented players including Alan Connor while others such as Emmet Rogan, Ray Finnegan and Tadhg O’Connor may feature for them. It promises to be close and tense but Trim Celtic can win the coveted trophy - which they claimed in 2019 - and complete that coveted league and cup double. "The lads have been absolutely fantastic, regardless of what happens on Saturday we've had a great season but a win in the cup would be the icing on the cake," added Horgan. "Opportunities like this don't come around very often for any team."

Indeed they don't.