Trim Celtic tame Cavan challenge with ease

Trim Celtic advanced to the semi-finals of the Meath & District League Challenge Cup with a comfortable victory over Cavan Town at Tully Park on Sunday morning. The Cavan men arrived with a big reputation following their exploits in the FAI Junior Cup, but they produced a very average performance against a solid looking Trim Celtic outfit that was always in control. The Cavan rearguard relied a lot on the offside tactic, but they didn't look like a team that was mobile enough to use that ploy successfully as the back four huffed and puffed a lot of the time. Midfielder Mark Ferncombe was the driving force for Cavan Town, but he was fortunate to remain on the pitch for 90 minutes although his demeanour mellowed slightly after he received an overdue yellow card close to the interval. At that stage Trim Celtic were two up following a double salvo from Derek Donohoe. The first goal arrived in the 16th minute via the direct route. Goalkeeper Barry O'Callaghan punted down field, Paul Gilsenan flicked on, Cavan Town looked for offside and Donohoe finished. Donohoe went close again a minute later, but a busy Cavan custodian, James Heffernan, saved well. However, the Cavan rearguard was exposed again after 25 minutes when Donohoe ghosted in for a second goal. There was a delay close to the intervals as four footballs, three Trim and one Cavan, had to be retrieved from across the ditch and no one was able to negotiate the stream. Cavan upped the tempo for the second-half and Brian Morris was a constant threat down the right wing. They missed a gilt-edged chance in the 55th minute when Tony Pryle blazed over and soon after Brendan Smith was wayward. Trim Celtic slowly regained their composure and took control again with Paul Campbell going close on two occasions and Michael Corrigan denied by a good save in the closing stages. Cavan threatened sporadically and Greg Meehan brought a good save out of O'Callaghan with 12 minutes remaining. However, the Ulster side never looked like making a breakthrough and eventually ran out of ideas against a solid Trim back four. David Conway got forward for a corner in the 90th minute and headed to the net at the near post to wrap up a good win for the hosts. Overall this was an encouraging display by Trim Celtic and they will be eager to keep the good run going . With games in hand in the Premier League they can also close the gap at the top and target a runner-up position behind Dundalk side Woodview Celtic who look like they will win the title with plenty to spare. Trim Celtic - B O'Callaghan; M Gilsenan, C Harte, C Halton, D Conway, J Hand, P Campbell, M Corrigan, D Higgins, D Donohoe, P Gilsenan. Subs - R Campbell for Hand 70 mins, S McGovern for Higgins 80m, A Douglas for P Gilsenan 81m. Cavan Town - J Heffernan; S Byrne, G Meehan, M Doheny, M Smith, M Ferncombe, B Morris, B Smith, B Dolan, K Morris, T Pryle. Subs - R Graham for Morris 52 mins, V Wimsey for Smith 70m, J Heffernan for Pryle 81m. Referee - Joe Dyas (Louth Branch ISRS)