TEN-MAN Rock Celtic sidestepped a potential banana skin in Trim on Sunday morning to make it two wins from two starts.

Despite fielding a weakened side, the seasiders cruised into a 3-0 lead, but a rather harsh red card for makeshift centre-half, Des McKeown just before the break gave the home side hope.

Rock started brightly and took the lead after 10 minutes when Chris Connolly slipped David Ward through for a welltaken opener.

The visitors were well on top at that stage and Derek Delany doubled their advantage following a superb ball into the box by Seamus McCabe.

Delaney still had penalty to do, but took the ball down on his chest and did well to make room for a strike.

Rock continued to dominate proceedings and Connolly made it 3-0 10 minutes before half-time, stealing in at the back post to smash home a good cross from the right.

Shane Reddish's side appeared to be cruising, but the game changed completely just before the break when Des McKeown was adjudged to have handled as he slid into the make a goal-line clearance.

The striker-cum-centrehalf, did put his hand up to protect his face, but Rock felt it was a harsh red card nonetheless. Trim duly dispatched the spot-kick and they pulled another back straight after the break before Rock made a substitution and a number of positional switches.

Shane O'Callaghan came in at the back, with Chris Connolly being surrendered up front and the move worked as the seasiders took control of the game again.

They created a number of second-half chances, but, more importantly kept possession well until the finish.

Meanwhile, Rock Celtic reserves opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Ardee Celtic on Friday night. Damien English opened the scoring with a superb free-kick and Alan Breen doubled their advantage midway through the secondhalf. Ardee Celtic grabbed a late consolation.

ROCK CELTIC: Danny Woods, Damien English, Des McKeown, Christy Ward, David Hoey, Seamus McCabe, Paul Gore, Gerry Breen, David Ward, Derek Delany, Chris Connolly (Shane O'Callaghan). Other subs: Ross McEnteggart, Eddie Maguire, Shane O'Callaghan, Gavin Mulholland, Damien McCrink.