Rathkenny's James Macken puts a Trim opponent under pressure

Lynch leads Trim to resounding victory

Defeated in last year's IFC final Trim look very eager indeed to make up for that setback with their hunger and desire there for all to see at Paric Tailteann this evening when they defeated Rathkenny 3-8 to 0-10 in opening round of the 2020 edition.

And the player who did more than most to help Trim achieve the win was their young forward Aaron Lynch who finished with 2-5.

All evening Lynch teased and tormented the Rathkenny defence and ensured his side kicked-started their campaign with a victory.

He hit 1-1 in the opening minutes to set Trim on their way netting his first goal after just three minutes. He grabbed a second goal just before the interval. It was a fine score partly created by the pacy Eoin O'Connor who ran through the Rathkenny defence and crossed for Lynch who again finished from close range. When referee Colm McManus sounded the half-time whistle Trim led 2-4 to 0-6.

Rathkenny recovered from a slow start to draw level at one stage in that opening half with the impressive pair of Keith Curtis and Caolach Halligan between them scoring all their points. Both young players gave big performances with some excellent passages of play.

However Dudley Farrell's side also spurned a series of good chances often dropping the ball short with a number of players seeing shots fail to reach their intended destination.

Trim upped their game considerably in the second-half with O'Connor showing pace and some silky skills to fire home a third goal after just two minutes of the half to put his side in a commanding position.

Rathkenny continued to battle on but they were unable to get the goal they badly needed to energise their cause with Brian Meade at one stage forcing a fine save from Barry O'Callaghan. Halligan and Curtis added further scores for Rathkenny in the second-half but they needed a lot more to save themselves.

Trim comfortably marched on to victory in an overall impressive display.

SCORERS

Trim - Aaron Lynch 2-5 two frees; Eoin O'Connor 1-0; Mark Molloy 0-2; Sean Fitzgerald 0-1.

Rathkenny - Keith Curtis 0-6 two frees; Caolach Halligan 0-4 three frees.

TEAMS

Trim - Barry O'Callaghan; Declan Dowling, Brian Bolgar, Ger Dwane; Daire Lynch, Cian Downey, Kevin Nally; Robert Bourke, Conal Quigley; Sean Fitzgerald, Alan Douglas, Mark Molloy; Eoin O'Connor, Aaron Lynch, Ciaran Joyce. Subs - Ian Bermingham for Fitzgerald 41 mins, Neil Heffernan for Joyce 52m, Ben Holden for Dowling 53m, Brian Dowling for Joyce 54m.

Rathkenny - Colin Curtis; Ross Gore, James O'Hare, Mark Byrne; Cillian McKenna, Donal Keogan, Niall Brannigan; Brian Meade, Robert Garry; Darragh Timmons, Caolach Halligan, Keith Timmons; Jaeic Timmons, Keith Curtis, Will Gore. Subs - Stephen Crosbie for Byrne 18 mins, Jamie O'Halloran for D Timmons half-time, James Macken for Brannigan 36m,