Final countdown for Ardee

ARDEE Celtic boosted their hopes of lifting some silverware this season when they stormed through to the Kilmessan Shield decider at the expense of Trim Celtic last Thursday night.

Standing in their way were Premier Division title contenders Trim who had won the clubs’ first league meeting 1-0 in Townparks, before Derek Donohoe rescued a point in Tully Park in the reverse fixture.

The visitors showed their intent early on and brought Stuart Reynolds into action as a fine effort stung the hands of the Ardee man. More was to come as Reynolds saved from a header before he saw another Trim strike go sailing over the crossbar.

Conor Lynch’s men were not sitting back, though. They

ARDEE CELTIC TRIM CELTIC 3 0

created several chances, one of which saw Darryn Gaynor head over from a Gareth Kane cross. The latter then created an opportunity for Ryan Ward, but the midfielder could only fire over.

Straight after the interval the Deesiders broke the deadlock when former League of Ireland ace Ross Gaynor raced down the left, beat the Trim full-back and crossed for Ward to head home at the far post.

The same players were involved in the second goal. This time Trim’s Aaron Ryan could only parry Ross Gaynor’s free kick and Ward was quickest to react with a headed finish.

To their credit, the visitors kept going and there was nearly an instant reply but for a lastditch tackle. However, Trim posed little threat after that, with Ardee trio Mikey Nulty, Ward and Eddie Burke forming a strong midfield unit and the defence shutting out any potential attacks.

Any lingering prospect of a Trim comeback was extinguished in injury time when Ross Gaynor rounded Ryan and finished into an empty net after a well-worked move involving Stuart Osborne.

ARDEE CELTIC: Stuart Reynolds, Robbie Reynolds, Niall Sharkey, Oisin McGee, Ciarán Clarke, Eddie Burke, Mikey Nulty, Ryan Ward, Ross Gaynor, Gareth Kane, Darryn Gaynor. Subs: Lorcan Malone, Stuart Osborne, Bernard Osborne, Bryan O’Connor, Paul Matondo.