Trim Celtic and Cosmos players get into a tangle after Colm Carney netted for the Navan side.

Trim Celtic inflict more pain on high-flying Cosmos

Just as they had done in last season's Challenge Cup final Trim Celtic defeated Navan Cosmos in the NEFL Premier at the MDL today.

This time the game finished 3-2 (the cup final ended 3-1) with Paddy O'Reilly's Trim side doing enough to take all three points on offer. 

It was 2-0 to Trim Celtic at the interval with their goals coming from Zak McGowan and Eoin O'Connor. 

Trim Celtic also had a penalty saved in that opening half with Navan Cosmos netminder Conor Gilesnan diving low to his right to make a superb one-handed save and turn the ball around the post. 

Cosmos pulled a goal back early in the second-half when former Trim Celtic player Colm Carney headed a Lar Ivers cross to the net.

Trim Cetlic launched their own attack and Derek Donohoe  received the ball with his back to goal before turning quickly and skilfully slotting home a crucial third.  

A player from each side - Cyril Halton of Trim Celtic and Cosmos's Conor Walsh- were red carded within a minute of each other in the second-half. 

The reigning Premier champions continued to press forward and Robbie Dillon grabbed a second. The Navan side continued to look for an equaliser but Trim Celtic held out for an a precious, and deserved, victory. 

Trim Celtic - Ian Telford; Ruairi Shortt, Daryl Kelly, Cyril Halton, Sean Fitzerald, Eoin O'Connor, Zak McGovern, Colm O'Reilly, Derek Donohoe, Brian Faulkner, Aaron Ryan. Subs - Conor Daly for Kelly 57 mins.

Navan Cosmos - Conor Gilsenan; Paul Delaney, Gary O'Dowd, Robbie Dillon, Shaun Doyle, Alan Murphy, Mark Leavy, Jack Murray, Lar Ivers, Conor Walsh, Colm Carney. Subs - James Boland for Murray 43 mins, Ben Newe for O'Dowd 44m.