O’Connor snatches last gasp point for Glenmuir

GLENMUIR 1 TRIM CELTIC 1

GLENMUIR snatched a last-gasp equaliser in a frantic finish to earn a precious point against the champions in a fine bounce back from their defeat to neighbours Quay Celtic.

Young James O’Connor was sprung from the bench on Thursday night at Glenmuir Park to emerge as the saviour for the hosts with his first goal for the side after Trim Celtic went ahead with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Glenmuir gained their just deserts when substitute Kyle Murphy won a great tackle to whip in a pinpoint cross for young striker O’Connor to send a great header into the top corner of the net at the very end of six minutes of stoppage time.

The home side had made the better scoring openings in the second half in what was a tight tussle with both sides in the opening half posing a restricted threat to their opponent’s goal.

Glenmuir’s best opportunity in that half resulted from a scramble in the Trim box which the Meath natives’ goalkeeper brought to an end.

As the play progressed in the second half, Glenmuir forced another scramble with 20 minutes to go and top-scorer Tomiwa Osho hooked the ball over the crossbar when it looked easier to put the ball in the net.

Then Glenmuir were caught in possession and Trim made them pay the full price by taking the lead, albeit with a lovely finish.

But Pádraig Gollogley’s side stuck to their task and their determination was rewarded with an equaliser that they fully deserved.

It’s been a tough start to the campaign for last year’s First Division winners, playing three of the top teams from last season in their first four matches which has yielded four points, a victory over Rock Celtic providing their lone win.

That return provides a platform that they hope will allow them to consolidate their place in the top-flight.

GLENMUIR: Daniel Shields, Fionn Kenny, James Callan, Edgar Bitanis, Michael Adegboyega, Andy McDermott, Daniel Brogan, Paul Mallon, Tomiwa Osho, Robbie Kilgallen, Conor Maguire. Subs: Kyle Murphy, James O’Connor, Joe Byrne.