St Colmcilles 2-12; Trim 2-9

Trim minors began their 2019 campaign with the long trip to the seaside to face St Colmcilles, beaten finallists in the 2018 Championshio.

The pre season preparations by the Trim lads, under the expert eyes of Maudy Power, Ciaran Giblin and Neily Heffernan, were going to be put to a stern test although there was a quiet confidence among the squad. The management team of Noel Dempsey, Diarmuid Buckley, & David Doyle had recently announced a joint captaincy of Gary Fleming & Daniel Coleman and the scene was set for a long and enduring season.

Although the present mild weather gave fairly good underfoot conditions, the high winds that had been experienced overnight, had not abated and the winning of the toss was going to be crucial and, unfortunately, this went to the home side. The Cilles started brightly and had the opening point within a minute. Trim were facing into the teeth of a massive gale but were stern in defence, but accuracy and distance was almost impossible in the prevailing conditions. A great run in the 8th minute by Josh Harris ended with a well taken goal by Sean Foley which was to be their one and only score in that difficult first half. 

This seemed to stir the home side into action and they chipped away with 3 points in the next five minutes making maximum use of the wind advantage. Trim were by no means on the back foot, at this stage, and had, at least, two great goal chances and a number of attempted points that tailed away in the unpredictable gusts. They had another goal chance in the 17th minute but it was St Colmcilles who benefitted most and they finished out the half with 1-5 to no score, the half time whistle couldn't come quick enough for the visitors.

Half-Time: St Colmcilles 1-9; Trim 1-0

In sharp contrast, Trim were dead eager to resume proceedings but, again, an early point extended the home side's advantage. Aided by the wind in their backs, Trim were now moving into action and, after another couple of goal chances, they quickly put 3 points on the board all from well struck frees by Sean Foley. James Murray had been lording it in mid-field, even in that tricky first half, and made another fine catch before off loading to Ciaran Caulfield who split the posts with a truly magnificent strike. The game burst into life in the 11th minute, to the delight of the travelling supporters, when Mark Dempsey found the corner of the net from a tight angle. It was now game on with Trim having cut the home side's advantage to just 3 points. Cilles responded with another point but Sean Foley reduced the deficit once again with a well taken point in the 14th minute.        

Trim were now in the ascendancy and reeled off the next four points, Sean Foley (2), Evan de Courcy Tobin from a '45, and Mark Dempsey from his left foot, to level matters with 10 minutes still on the clock. Both teams seemed to be cancelling each other out and the next eight minutes were without a score even though there were chances on each side which were foiled by stout defences, and alert 'keepers, in particular Trim vice captain Daniel Coleman and custodian, Peter Brennan.

Sean Foley seemed to seal victory for the lads in Red & White when he popped over with barely a minute to play but there was a sting in the tail when the home side, from a rare attack, found the back of the Trim net and a late late point sealed victory for the Cilles.

This was a truly entertaining affair and credit to both sides in difficult conditions. Also credit to referee Andrew Lenehan who let the game flow and was equally fair to both sides in penalising for over carrying and minor infringements.

 

 

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