Trim Celtic do the business in Cup final

Trim Celtic emerged with a hard-earned 2-0 NEFL Challenge Cup final victory over Kentstown Rovers at the MDL on Saturday evening.

The victory was anticipated, but the manner in which it was earned was not, two penalty goals separated the winner from the loser at the end of an absorbing and windswept 90 minutes of the first NEFL season of 'summer soccer.'

In previous years the final would have been in April, but now with the calendar year season it was one of the last games of the season.

Maybe that's an anomaly that could be addressed with a slightly different schedule of fixtures for the 2020 campaign?

Each team played five games to get to last night's decider so it should be feasible to get a late August or early September date and also create a little bit of hype in the build up to the big game.

There was a crowd of maybe 200 or so at the game - a good turn out when the weather conditions were considered.

While the spectating facilities at the MDL are basic, the venue ticks all the other boxes in terms of what is available with the exception of the presentation of the trophy.

The presentation process needs to be upgraded and something as simple as a mobile podium and a simple public address could surely be sourced - even without any prospects of grant-aid from the FAI in the short-term.

Obviously, all that is for the NEFL to consider, whether it's worthwhile enhancing the image of the league!

To get back to the game - Kentstown gave it a go and pushed Trim all the way. 

Both sides had chances in the opening half and referee Daryl Carolan was kept busy issuing yellow cards. He also brandished a red card to Trim Celtic captain James Goggins close to the interval.

I enquired at half-time from Meath Chronicle reporter Jimmy Geoghegan, who was close to the incident, what his view was and he suggested that "it was a harsh red card" - I was on the opposite sideline and didn't have a good view of an incident that appeared to involve a number of players from each side.

Trim Celtic reshuffled the deck during the interval and started the second-half brightly with substitute Colm Carney converting a 55th minute penalty for the lead goal.

FIRST PENALTY GOAL - 55 MINS

There was lots of endeavour from both teams, but few clear chances were created at either end.

However, it wasn't until the 75th minute that Trim added a second goal when Carney converetd from the spot again.

Kentstown players appealed the decision, awarded for a handball, but the referee pointed to the spot.

SECOND PENALTY GOAL - 75 MINS

Soon after Kentstown were down to 10 when David Bowens picked up a second yellow card and before the end Kentstown had a player sent from the sideline after the referee consulted with the assistant-referee (linesman). 

This was a fifth final appearance for Trim Celtic and Kentstown Rovers and both teams had two wins to their credit. 

Kentstown won in 1990 and 1998 (lost in 1991 and 1996). Trim Celtic won in 2001 and 2016  (lost in 2009 and 2018).

It was the 40th Cup final.

Trim Celtic were expected to win with plenty to spare, they came into the decider on the back of an 8-0 semi-final victory against Parkvilla. Kentstown also had an 8-0 win to their credit against Slane.

Rresult like that can sometimes occur at any level of football, but Trim Celtic then went out and recorded another 8-0 victory, this time against LSL side Transport in the FAI Junior Cup last week.

So Trim had impressive form to back the tag of favourite, but they faced a real battle against Kentstown and it took almost an hour to break the deadlock.

In their last appearance in a final Kentstown Rovers caused a shock when they defeated a highly-fancied OMP Utd 21 years ago in 1998.

Kentstown Rovers won the Challenge Cup final that year in what was the first decider played at this year’s venue, the MDL.

Going into that game the Kentstown players were also unconsidered, but emerged with a 4-1 victory. 

Kentstown also achieved another ‘first’ when they won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 1990, on that occasion Kentstown won a replay, the first time one was required.

Plenty of positives for Kentstown to take out of this encounter and build o it for the 2020 season.

For Trim Celtic, they still have Leinster Junior Cup and FAI JUnior Cup games to play. 

THE CLOSING MINUTES OF THE 2019 CUP FINAL