Trim Celtic’s Second Team have won the NEFL Division 3 Title after an impressive win over Boyne Harps in the MDL.
The game started at a frenetic pace with neither side allowing the other to settle on the ball. While Harps were shading things Celtic had the ball in the net only for Gary Connell to be flagged offside. On the half hour Lee Dixon volleyed wide while shortly after Anthony Craig dived among a ruck of boots to head narrowly wide as Celtic began to press. Five minutes before the break the Trim side took the lead as Dominic Fagan reacted quickly to a breaking corner to head home.

With the ball flying around from end to end Celtic doubled their lead out of nothing. A long ball was clipped up to Gary Connell who superbly cushioned a pass for Lee Dixon to race through and blast home his 31st goal of the season on 58 minutes. Harps didn’t lie down and won what turned out to be a pivotal penalty on 65 minutes. However, the chance to pull one back and set up a nervy finish was wasted as the penalty flew over the bar. The Drogheda side were constantly looking for the killer pass but time after time the impermeable Celtic back four intercepted or stood their ground rather than making a last ditch tackle. With ten minutes remaining Gary Connell gave Celtic a bit more breathing space with a superb volley from Scott O’Leary’s cross. O’Leary wrapped up the scoring with an unerring finish after capitalising on a defensive error. The scoreline was a bit harsh on a very good Boyne side who came up against a clinical Trim Celtic team who conceded very few chances.
John Bligh excelled at centre back while Dean Rowlands belied his youth with an assured performance with Lee Dixon playing a captain’s role running himself into the ground.

Congratulations to Jimmy, Gavin, Rob amd the lads.
Trim Celtic: Rob Westphal, Leon O’Neill, Dean Rowlands, Mark Corrigan, John Bligh, Dominic Fagan, Anthony Craig, Ruairi Shortt, Daryll Kelly, Gary Connell, Lee Dixon.
Subs: Scott O’Leary (for Fagan), Paul Bartley (for Dixon), Dan Mac Grianna (for Connell), Cian McCarthy (for Rowlands),