Double delight for Hoops as challenges are overcome
Robbie Horgan's team show the right stuff to complete league and cup double as Walsh goal proves crucial
On their way to any cup triumph a team needs to overcome a variety tests of will and character that will invariably present themselves over the course of the campaign.
Other challenges will present themselves on the day itself, cup final day. The objective has to be to overcome these challenges, one by one. The team who does that with the greater imagination and hunger will achieve ultimate glory.
That was certainly how it proved to be for Trim Celtic this evening as they marched to a 3-2 victory over Bellurgan Utd in the NEFL Challenge Cup showdown at an arctic-like MDL - a victory that ensured they completed a league and cup double.
They faced formidable obstacles in this encounter in the shape of an ever-improving Bellurgan but Robbie Horgan's men proved equal to what what thrown in their way. More than that they proved they had the capabilities to conjure up a crucial winning goal with talented midfielder Conor Walsh unleashing the shot that ultimately resulted in the ball nestling in the Bellurgan net to make it 3-2.
Played in sub-zero conditions before a meagre attendance Robbie Horgan's well-tuned, well-prepared side turned on the heat on their Wee County opponents at various stages of the evening with their enterprise and imagination ultimately rewarded with a victory.
On the two occasions these two sides met earlier in the season Trim Celtic won both games, with a 9-1 aggregate score. There was never any sense this final showdown was going to be anything like a landslide that statistic would suggest.
If anything Bellurgan Utd were the better side in the first 25 minutes or so. They certainly had the better chances, displayed a more creative and cutting edge approach. It took a pretty smart save from Trim Celtic goalkeeper Aaron Ryan to stop a shot from Tadgh O'Connor from breaking the ice. It was a warning to the Hoops.
Yet, like all good teams, Trim Celtic have the capability to conjure something seemingly out of the ether. Just like that. They did before in games and they did it again on 27 minutes. The ever enterprising, ever lively Mark Leavy combined brilliantly with Brian Faulkner. The ball broke back to Leavy who crossed from the right and there was Dean Courtney to score with a smart finish. That's what good teams do. Hit unexpectedly and hard.
The lights were switched on and they served to illuminate another super-sharp move by the Hoops. Again Leavy was involved. His laser-like pass found Ciaran O'Connell close to the Bellurgan goals. He looked certain to score only to be denied by a super tackle by former Louth footballer Ray Finnegan.
Still the force was with Trim Celtic. It showed in the way they grabbed a second just before the interval. This time the move was simplicity itself. Ger Murray cleared a long ball from defence, Courtney was onto it like a flash. He stayed as cool as the arctic breeze and slotted home.
Ahead 2-0 at the break it was looking good for the Celts yet they had their problems too. Sean Fitzgerald had to depart the scene after picking up a knock. He didn't appear for the second stanza.
They encountered further problems when Bellurgan hit back with not one but two goals in the second-half, the first scored Emmet Rogan on 52 minutes with a shot from a free on the edge of the box ended up in the Trim Celtic net, Ryan unsighted by another Bellurgan player. The second soon after derived from another Rogan free. The ball was cleared by the Trim Celtic defence but only to Conor Waters who arrowed the ball home. 2-2.
The contest ebbed and flowed. Extra-time loomed. Trim Celtic had two 'goals' ruled out before the hit the jackpot with 82 minutes played. An Anthony Moran long sideline throw into the Bellurgan box was not fully cleared. The ball fell to Moran once more. This time he crossed, the ball broke to Walsh and his shot was deflected to the net. Cue earnest celebrations among the Trim Celtic support.
As expected Bellurgan spent the closing minutes looking for redemption. They were unable to find a way through. The league champions had been able to come up with a positive response after they had let slip a 2-0 lead. They had overcome adversity. They had prevailed and they consequently were left to savour the fruits of a sweet success. They had won the double.
Trim Celtic - Aaron Ryan; Ciaran O'Connell, James Goggins, Ger Murray, Sean Fizgerald, Conor Walsh, Mark Leavy, Callum Ennis, Aaron Williams, Brian Faulkner, Dean Courtney. Subs - Adam Fox for Fitzgerald half-time, Anthony Moran for Goggins 74m, Luke Mahon for Leavy 84m, Paddy Brophy for Courtney 86m, Wes Gibbons for Faulkkner 88m.
Bellurgan Utd - Sean McGeough; Sean McEvoy, Joe Quinn, Ray Finnegan, John Smith, Conor Watters, Tadgh O'Connor, Emmet Rogan, Alan Connor, Owen Armstrong, Callum Lyndsay. Subs - Mario Kolak fr McEvoy, Luke Higgins for Quinn both half-time, Joe Needham for Armstrong 69m, Diarmuid Murphy for Lyndsay 88m.
Referee - Peter Burns Junior; assistants - Derek Gaffney, Niall Byrne; fourth official - Conor Byrne (all Meath Branch).