Fra fires Albion into the last eight
ALBION ROVERS 3 TRIM CELTIC 2
ALBION knocked out last season's beaten finalists to claim a quarter-final berth in the Tully Bookmakers MDL Cup after a very keenly contested encounter at Monasterboice last Thursday night that could have swung either way.
Fra McCullough grabbed the winning goal deep into injury time in a dramatic finish after the visitors had their second goalscorer Derek O'Donoghue sent off for a second yellow card.
Trim took the lead midway through the first half after Albion started well and threatened to score on a number of occasions, with teammates just failing to convert a couple of dangerous free kicks by McCullough, and Kevin Doyle heading narrowly wide.
Albion substitute John Drew, who had replaced the injured Niall Levins, hadn't had time to settle into the fray when a Trim player took advantage of the uncertainty to bury the ball in the net from six yards.
There was little between the sides over the remainder of the opening half, but again Albion started brightly in the second period, and were rewarded with the equaliser after 55 minutes when McCullough's free kick from 20 yards deflected off the defensive wall into the Trim net.
Ace marksman Kevin Doyle put Albion ahead five minutes later with a classic turn and swivel in the box before shooting into the top corner of the net.
A wonderful finger-tip by the Trim goalkeeper from McCullough kept his side in it, but the tie looked to be heading for extra time when Trim's O'Donoghue made it level pegging in the 80th minute.
But with his subsequent dismissal and the referee choosing to play a lengthy period of added time for injuries and stoppages, Albion took full advantage to score the vital goal.
