Action from today's FAI Junior Cup tie at Tully Park between Trim Celtic and Verona. PHOTO: JOHN QUIRKE

Trim Celtic advance in FAI Junior Cup

Trim Celtic advanced to the fourth round of the FAI Junior Cup this morning with a hard-earned 5-3 victory against Leinster Senior League side Verona. 

Trim made it harder on themselves than it should have been as they were well in control with a 4-1 interval advantage.

That lead could have been greater, but they were punished in the second-half when a gutsy Verona side got back into contention and with a liitle bit of luck the Dublin men could have forced extra-time.

A lack of competitive games may have contributed to Trim Celtic's hot and cold displays in each half, but they were certainly very good in the opening 45 minutes.

Brian Faulkner hit the opener inside seven minutes and Paddy Brophy headed a second in the 17th minute. (see video clip of second goal)

PADDY BROPHY HEADS TRIM'S SECOND GOAL

Verona got a goal back midway through the half when Jason Synnott finished a good move with a fine goal.

Verona also found Trim Celtic netminder Aaron Ryan in good form on a number of occasions (see video clip of saves).

AARON RYAN SHOWS SMART REFLEXES

However, Trim Celtic eased further ahead with goals from Faulkner and Aaron Williams for that 4-1 interval advantage.

Verona upped the intensity for the second-half and Trim eased off a little - goals from Criag Newman in the 58th minute and again in the 84th minute had Trim holding on for victory and the Meath side just about made it into the winner's enclosure on this occasion with a late Oisin Smith goal completing the tally.

See video clip of Verona's second goal.

CRAIG NEWMAN SCORES FOR VERONA

Next up for Trim Celtic is a Leinster Junior Cup third round tie against Dublin side Woodhazel next weekend.

The Dublin team is currently top of the Leinster Senior League Premier 1 Saturday.

Prior to this weekend was unbeaten in nine outings with 54 goals scored.

That will be a tough one for the NEFL Premier champions.

NEFL

Trim Celtic players and officials are also waiting for the Challenge Cup semi-final where they will play against either Parkvilla or Enfield who have to play a quarter-final.

That quarter-final is likely to be fixed for this Wednesday night at Claremont Stadim after it was postponed today.

For the first time in many years, there will eb an all-Meath NEFL Cup final after Kentstown Rovers made it to the decider today with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out success against Chord Celtic.

NEFL CUP FINAL 

TBA - Kentstown Rovers v Parkvilla or Enfield or Trim Celtic. 

See report and reaction - Trim Celtic v Verona in Tuesday night's Meath Chronicle