2020 SHC final: Douglas delivers for Trim in thriller
August 08, 2021
Ratoath's Ben McGowan with Ciaran Joyce Trim during the 2020 Meath SHC final at Pairc Tailteann.
Alan Douglas was Trim's match-winner with a brace of points in stoppage time at the end of extra-time to end the club's two-decade quest for Jubilee Cup success. To view photos click here
Trim ............ 1-26
Ratoath ........ 1-25
after-extra-time
Douglas finished with eight points (taking over free-taking duties from Brian Dowling who departed with an injury) close to the end of extra-time.
HIs penutlimate score - a 60-metre free into the hospital end levelled matters, 1-25-each, for the eighth time in a terrific contest.
From the restart he fielded and fired over what proved to be the match-winning score. To top it all he is the first recipient of the Harry Connor man-of-the-match award that honours a legend in Trim hurling, now sadly deceased.
Douglas accepted the Jubilee with an aplomb that was real and impressive.
Moments afte guiding Trim to the MHC title, Neil Cole about guided the club to the Jubilee Cup.
It was commendable the way his charges displayed impressive resilience despite being behind for most of the hour.
Ratoath looked set to bridge a 58-year gap to their previous SHC success when Cian Rogers - the top scorer from play in the final - netted at the town end.
That left Ratoath leading by 1-17 to 0-14. Despite playing into the not always helpful elements - the wind and the sun - Trim rallied.
The Trim bench made a significant contribution in the latter stages with one of them Michael Cullen goaling in the 54th minute to revive Trim
Yet, it took a Padraic O'Hanrahan (free) - brought to a more advantagous position following perceived dissent in the Trim ranks.
It was 1-20-all at full-time. Trim took the initiative in the added 20 minutes with points from Douglas and David Murtagh.
Ratoath - despite squandering many chances - rallied with Cian Rogers pointing twice late on to give his side the upper hand. Then came Douglas' intervention.
Wind-assisted Ratoath opebed well when playing to the town end in the first-half. By the 13th minute they were 0-5 to 0-2 to the good.
Padraic O'Hanrahan (mainly from placed balls) and Cian Rogers were Ratoath's first-half scorers.
Trim had a better spread of scorers, five in the opening half, while Ratoath led by 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time.
From the resumption, Ratoath held the upper hand until Mikey Cole levelled, 0-12-each, in the 39th minute. After the second water break, the team in blue-and-gold gradually moved six points clear before tide turned.
Scorers: Trim - Alan Douglas 0-8 (2fs); Brian Dowling 0-5 (3fs, 1 65); Michael Dullen 1-1, Mikey Cole, Dylan Farrell, Mark Molloy 0-2 each; Diarmuid Higgins, James Toher (f), Ian Bermingham, James Murray, Conor Quigley, David Murtagh 0-1 each.
Ratoath - Padraic O'Hanrahan 0-13 (11fs); Cian Rogers 1-9; Daithi McGowan, Jack Lanigan, Bryan McMahon 0-1 each.
Trim - Charlie Ennis; Ciaran O'Rourke, Luke Moran, Gerard Dwane; Diarmuid Higgins, James Toher, Sean McGee; Mark Molloy, Dylan Farrell; Ian Bermingham, Ciaran Joyce, Alan Douglas (C); James Murray, Mikey Cole, Brian Dowling. Subs - David Murtagh for Joyce (ht), Ben Holden for Dwane (46), Conor Quigley for Cole (51), Subs in extra time -Daniel Coleman for Moran (63). Cole for Dowling (76)
Ratoath - Gearoid Crowley; Patrick Dowd, Ben McGowan, Conor McGill; Conor Ward, Darragh Kelly, Cian Kelly; Jack McGowan (C), Cormac Butler; Bryan McMahon, Padraic O'Hanrahan, Tom Fadden; Cian Rogers, Daithi McGowan, Gavin McGowan. Subs - Jack Lanigan for Gavin McGowan (ht), Padraic Byrne for Fadden (37), , Michael Cullen for Murray (46), Niall McLarnon for Ward (53) Subs in extra time - Niall Murphy for Butler (74), Sean Johnson for Lanigan (76).
Referee - Pat Gannon (Killyon).
