Trim Celtic strike twice to claim cup spoils in El Classico of the North East

This Leinster Junior Cup fourth round tie was billed as the El Classico of the North East Football League with two of Meath's top teams paired against each other at Tully Park on Sunday, the prize for the winners a ticket into the quarter-finals.

As it turned out reigning Premier Division champions Trim Celtic showed all the determination, skill and resilience they needed to secure a victory with their goals scored by Dean Courtney and Wes Gibbons.

Parkvilla started pressing from the first kick off, and within a minute had their first opportunity in front of goal. Eoghan Heavey dispossessed Ciaran O’Connell and linked up with Sean Kane who found Ryan Murphy with a neat pass. Murphy in turn steered the ball into the path of striker Tristan O’Neill and his low right foot shot was well saved Aaron Ryan in the Celtic nets.

A minute later, Kian Ratty won a free kick from Conor Walsh’s tackle and Eoghan Heavey tried his luck in the free kick department but sent his effort went soaring over the crossbar.

Three minutes later Parkvilla had another glorious chance to take the lead, Trim had won a corner kick and it was caught cleanly by Euan Niven. His quick delivery started a move that ended with Sean Kane shooting narrowly wide.

The away side continued to press high and Tristan O’Neill won a free kick on the edge of the box following a tackle by Ger Murray, and Kane’s effort was straight into the hands of Ryan to keep the score level. A few minutes later Trim went close to opening the scoring as Conor Walsh’s long pass found Dean Courtney on the left side. His pass inside was too fast and Luke Mahon was unable to get a touch.

Parkvilla were hitting Trim’s defence with everything and another long kick by Euen Niven was headed towards goal by O’Neill but it didn’t trouble Ryan. Trim Celtic began to settle into the match and cause problems. Walsh found Mark Leavy with a lovely pass and his cross was cleared by Chris Kennedy but only into the path of Callum Ennis - and his left footed volley was tipped around the post by the fingertips of Niven.

Parkvilla nearly grabbed a goal just before half time when Eoghan Breathnach sent a curling right footed pass to Kian Ratty on the right wing. He took on two Trim defenders before smashing a shot towards the near post but Ryan was there to save the danger again.

The home side came out for the second half a different team as they went about their business looking to hit the visitors with everything and within two minutes good link up play between Brian Faulkner, Courtney and Walsh ended with Callum Ennis firing a shot just over from the edge of the box.

Four minutes later Faulkner was guilty of a miss of the season contender when Leavy’s pinpoint cross into the box found the unmarked Faulkner but he sent his header over. Just before the hour mark Celtic hit the back of the net as Courtney’s pass found Callum Ennis inside and his through ball into Luke Mahon saw the striker taken down on the edge of the box. Courtney fired his left footed free kick over the wall into the far corner of Niven’s net despite slipping as he struck.

Twelve minutes later Trim went two up when Ryan delivered the clearance upfield. The ball fell kindly for Wes Gibbons. He unleashed a shot goalwards and watched as the ball hit Villa’s net.

Courtney went close to making it 3-0 with 15 minutes remaining but Trim Celtic continued to pile the pressure and they can count themselves very unlucky not to have scored a third goal as the officials ruled Mahon’s volley from Courtney's free kick out was offside, much to the dismay of the supporters and Mahon himself. The experience of Trim saw them see this game out and secure a coveted last eight place in this provincial competition.

Trim Celtic - Aaron Ryan, Mark Leavy, James Goggins, Ger Murray, Ciaran O’Connell, Conor Walsh, Wes Gibbons, Callum Ennis, Luke Mahon, Brian Faulkner, Dean Courtney. Subs - Sean Walsh, Ross Harper, Sam Kennedy, Adam Wilson, Eoin Gaffney, Paul Neary

Parkvilla - Euan Niven; Karl Breen, Conor Fleming, Chris Kennedy, Danny Doggett, Eoghan Breathnach, Sean Kane, Ryan Murphy, Tristan O’Neill, Eoghan Heavey, Kian Ratty. Subs -Sean Fennessy, Ian O’Brien, Roy Browne.