Trim Celtic best after five-goal cup final thriller

Trim Celtic captured the North Eastern Counties Schoolboys' League u-12 Challenge Cup when they got the better of a talented Johnstown side in a five-goal thriller at the MDL, Navan on Saturday morning. Trim Celtic were expected to win the trophy as they play in a higher division than Johnstown who won the Div 2 title this season to the delight of manager Patrick Allen and assistant-manager Fergal Beirne. The management team had to be pleased with the way the players performed on Saturday against a highly-regarded Trim Celtic outfit that hit the front in the early minutes with a goal from Michael Cullen. Trim Celtic were ahead by that goal at the interval as they dominated the opening half with good performances from Keane Geraghty, Zack McGowan and Stephen Murray. They extended that advantage shortly after the resumption when Conor Prouse finished to the net. Despite trailing by two goals, Johnstown showed great character and got back into the game. Goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan provided the inspiration with a series of fantastic saves. Michael Taiwo, Jerry Kola and Adam Halpin all upped the tempo and forced Trim into a defensive mode. Kevin Sutton reduced the deficit when he finished a high centre from Halpin's free. Trim replied with another Cullen goal, but Johnstown battled back again and Taiwo rifled to the net in the closing stages, but the Navan side were unable to force the game to extra-time. Trim Celtic - Charlie Ennis; Karl Corcoran, Cormac Boggan, Zack McGowan, Michael Cullen, Conor Penrose, Keane Geraghty, Rory Shortt, Stephen Murray, Conor Higgins, Jack Walsh, Adam Sheehan, John Callaghan-Moore, Conor Coyne. Johnstown - Amanda McQuillan; James Friary, Ross Kiernan-Byrne, Adam Halpin, Dominic Danca, Jordan Bennett, Michael Taiwo, Clayton O'Sullivan, Jack Purvis, Gerry Kola, Sean Allen, Sean Smith, Ben Nolan, Adam Walsh, Ruairi Devlin, Kevin Sutton, James Finnegan, Conor Lee, Conor Lynch. Referee - John Gorman (Meath Branch).