Two hat-tricks as Chord boost top-two chances
A MUCH-CHANGED Chord Celtic convincingly beat Trim Celtic 2nds at home on Sunday morning to keep up the pressure on the top two in Group C.
Fiachra Jein used the game to give several players a run out as they head into the business end of the season and Brandon Sullivan and Sam O’Leary scored four goals apiece, with Pearse Butler and Niall Smyth chipping in also.
Chord made difficult work of it at the start, going behind early on, but Sam O’Leary hit three straight goals to put his side 3-2 ahead, Trim having retaken the lead after Sullivan’s opening goal. Sullivan scored twice more before the break, the pick of the goals being a brilliant free kick - 5-2 at half-time.
While the scoreline reflected a very one-sided game, in truth a better side may have had Chord in trouble. Butler assisted for two goals, while Sullivan had several assists along with O’Leary in what was a real team performance.
Sullivan bagged his hat-trick early into the second half, while Butler and Smyth netted before Sullivan and O’Leary completed the scoring.
With results going their way Chord still have a chance to make the top two in the group, but they will need to win both their two remaining games, one of which is away to Duleek. They are in cup action away to Rossin Rovers in the 40-Year Commemorative Cup this week in what is a very winnable fixture for the Drogheda team. CHORD CELTIC: Hugh Murphy, Callum Cooney, Jack Fitzpatrick, Ciaran McDonnell, Jake Devine, Kenny Hurley, Cormac Reid, Pearse Butler, Eoin Mulroy, Brandon Sullivan, Sam O’Leary Subs: Niall McDonnell, Niall Smyth, Jamie Doherty, Morgan Browne, Neil Donnelly.