Parkvilla Cup shocker for Trim Celtic
Parkvilla sent Premier League table-toppers Trim Celtic crashing out of the NEFL 40 year Commemorative Cup at Claremont Stadium tonight with a 49th minute Gary Gibney goal booking a place in the last four for the Navan side with a 1-0 win.
This was a major upset as the formbook suggested that Trim Celtic would win against the hosts who are struggling for form in the lower half of the Premier League this season.
However, the upset saw Parkvilla earn a thoroughly deserved victory with a disciplined performance.
Trim Celtic finished with 10 men after second-half substitute Dean Courtney departed in the 85th minute on a second yellow card.
It could have been worse for Trim as they could have finished with nine following an off-the-ball incident, also in the second half.
Parkvilla were unlucky in the opening half when a fine effort from Gibney hit the crossbar with Trim custodian Aaron Ryan beaten and the goalie was also saved by the woodwork again in the second half.
Crucial in the victory for Parkvilla was the performance of goalkeeper Euan Niven, especially in the second half when Trim Celtic enjoyed a 20-minute period of dominance.
Niven dominated his penalty area and his handling was superb.
Also prominent for the hosts were Sergei Istrati, Ethan Rathbone and Danny Doggett, but overall it was an excellent team performance and if the players can produce this type of form consistently then they could be lifting the one-off trophy at the end of the season.
The 40 Year Cup was introduced for the 2020 season as a one-off knock-out competition to mark the 40th anniversary of the NEFL which was established in 1980 as the Mid-Meath League later becoming the Meath & District League and more recently the North East Football League.
Parkvilla - Euan Niven; Sean Lally, Ethan Rathbone, Danny Doggett, Chris O'Neill, Jack Murray, Kian Ratty, Chris Kennedy, Jamie Blake, Gary Gibney, Sergei Istrati. Subs - Sean Kane for Ratty half-time, Eogahan Heavey for Kennedy 70 mins, Ben Gibney for Istrati 81m.
Trim Celtic - Aaron Ryan; Mark Leavy, Sean Fitzgerald, Gerard Murray, Paddy Brophy, Cian Quinn, Jack O'Keeffe, Conor Walsh, Aaron Williams, Brian Faulkner, Victory Hugo Ferriera. Subs - Dean Courtney for Williams and Luke Mahon for Ferriera 55 mins, Callum Ennis for Quinn 65m.
Referee - Andy McNamara (Cavan / Monaghan ISRS)