IFC semi-final: Trim triumph after tardy start
October 25, 2021
Trim's Luke Moran and James Toher close in on Brian O'Connell Walterstown during the Meath IFC semi final at Pairc Tailteann
A blistering start couldn't sustain Walterstown's bid for honours as Trim outlasted them in the first IFC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Bank Holiday Monday
Trim .................. 1-14
Walterstown ....... 2-6
The concession of 1-1 in the opening two minutes when playing with the wind didn't derail Kevin Reiily's men as Trim reached the IFC final for third year running.
The moved 1-5 to 1-2 clear at their first liquid break and the concession of a second goal in the 23rd minute didn't prevent them from reaching half-time with a 1-8 to 2-4 lead.
With Eoin O'Connor leading the way in attack with scores and assists, they outscored Walterstown by 0-6 to 0-2 after the break.
The Trim rearguard put their bad start behind them with Brian O'Connell becoming less of an influence as the hour wore on while full-back Luke Moran was the outstanding defender on view.
The game exploded into excitement from the off with Brian O'Connell posting 1-1 inside opening 70 seconds. Robert Cunningham assisted for the goal, the second score.
With the breeze behind them Trim were back on terms by the 10th minute courtesy of points from Aaron Lynch (free), Conor Quigley, Mikey Cullen and Ciaran Caulfield.
Kevin Reilly's side kicked on with Aaron Lynch netting a penalty for a foul on Quigley leaving Trim 1-5 to 1-2 ahead at the first water break.
Trim moved four points ahead by the 21st minute before a mix-up in their defence allowed Brian O'Connell place Sam McCabe for the Blacks second goal.
Brian O'Connell's fourth point of the half levelled matters for the third time. Daire Lynch's 29th minute effort earned Trim a 1-8 to 2-4 interval advantage.
Despite playing into the breeze, Trim registered the first three points of the second-half with two from Aaron Lynch and one from Mikey Cullen (assisted by the full-forward)
The sole other score in a hard-hitting third quarter was another Lynch free that made it 1-12 to 2-4 at the second water break.
Five points ahead - though playing against the breeze - Trim controlled the final quarter though occasionally offering Walterstown slim hope with the off mistake.
Sub Ian Bermingham should have had a third goal for Trim but his 59th minute effort deftly placed along the deck went wide.
Referee Cormac Reilly picked up what appeared to be a shoulder injury late on, but was able to see the game out as a linesman with Derek Ryan taking the whistle.
Scorers: Trim - Aaron Lynch 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-4fs, 0-1 45); Mikey Cullen 0-3; Conor Quigley, Ciaran Caulfield, Daire Lynch, Alan Douglas 0-1 each.
Walterstown - Brian O'Connell 1-6 (4fs, 1 mark); Sam McCabe 1-0.
Trim - Peter Farrell; Ger Dwane, Luke Moran, Declan Dowling; Conor Quigley, James Toher, Ciaran O'Rourke; Rob Bourke, Sean Fitzgerald; Ciaran Caulfield, Alan Douglas (C), Daire Lynch; Mikey Cullen, Aaron Lynch, Eoin O'Connor. Subs - Ciaran Joyce for O'Connor (42), Ian Bermingham for Fitzgerald (59).
Walterstown - John Davis; Peter Reynolds, Eoin O'Mahony, Aaron McLoughlin; Alan Wall, Cathal Hennelly, Conor Farrelly; Alban Crosbie, Brian McGrane; Mark McCormack (C), Ruairi O'Dowd, Barry O'Connell; Robert Cunningham, Brian O'Connell, Sam McCabe. Subs - Colin McGrane for P Reynolds (38), Paul Donnellan for McCormack (53).
Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's)
