Trim appear on course to exorcise ghosts of finals past

Surely they have to get there at some stage. Trim that is. Reach their destination and win the IFC - and the evidence suggest that they could do it this time. That they can finally shake off the unwanted tag of bridesmaids and claim the Mattie McDonnell Cup.

Not that their supporters will travel to Pairc Tailteann on Saturday for the final against Oldcastle full of certainty that this time, at least, their team will prevail. They have been slapped down too often in the past not to be wary. Too often their hopes have turned to dust on the well-manicured green sward at the Brews Hill venue.

In 2019 it was Nobber who denied them in the IFC final and last year they once again suffered a Devon Loch moment. Looking for so long like they were going to prevail in a thrilling decider they stumbled and fell with the finishing post in sight. Instead of glorious victory they were overtaken by a barnstorming Ballinabrackey side who simply made more of their opportunities. For Trim it was a case of deja vu all over again.

Now Oldcastle stand in their way. An Oldcastle outfit who have shown plenty of promise in recent years and now are on the cusp of making the big breakthrough - but are they ready to knock Trim side off course? Doubtful. There are compelling reasons why Trim are rightly considered favourites. Kevin Reilly's side have yet to taste defeat in the Corn na Boinne or the championship this year, a run of results that tells a tale of a side full of confidence and conviction.

They marched through their IFC group series without a hitch, winning all three games with relative ease and finishing with a scoring difference of + 31. Impressive, considering second-placed Clann na nGael's SD was +4.

Then there was the quarter-final victory over Dunderry. More often than not those games are tight, close affairs. Not this time. Trim won by a massive 22 points. The semi-final against Walterstown was a different affair yet Trim, helped by an assured, controlled second-half display, looked 'winners all right' well before the end. It should also be noted that earlier in the year Trim and Oldcastle met in the Corn na Boinne. Trim won, if only by 2-11 to 2-9.

Of course Oldcastle will be looking at strategies to curb Aaron Lynch, Trim's richly talented forward - their marquee man. Lynch helped himself to 3-8 against Dunderry and 1-7 against Walterstown, but it's not just his ability to take chances that marks him out. His pace and skill constitutes a nightmare for defences. Mikey Cullen and Eoin O'Connor are just some of the other Trim forwards who can make hay if given time and space.

Trim have so many other strengths. There's the experience of players like James Toher and Alan Douglas. Toher's vision can unlock defences and put opponents on the backfoot while Douglas's ability to drive teams on by example can not be understated. Reilly's charges are performing this year with an added zip and zest that bodes well for their chances. One area that may concern the Trim management was the goals they leaked against Walterstown. They were of the soft variety and suggests that when they are really tested Trim are vulnerable.

If Trim have a lively, talented forward division, then so too have Oldcastle. It's one of the reasons the north Meath side have real grounds for optimism going into the final.

Jason Scully, CJ Healy, Robbie Farrelly and Garrett O'Reilly are just some of their players who are capable of creating and taking chances. In every round, apart from the semi-final, Oldcastle were able to find the net, firing home four against Nobber. They are well organised, motivated too.

In the five games they have played in the championship so far Oldcastle have a scoring difference of +23. Not bad, but still some way behind Trim's +58 from their five outings.

When required Oldcastle can dig in and win the hard way, as they did against Rathkenny in the semi-final. They were helped somewhat by the fact Rathkenny missed good opportunities, but the defensive fortitude they showed in that game, conceding a mere eight points, underlined how well the team is organised this year under Jude McNabb. They defend in depth, yet can break quickly too.

Like Trim, Oldcastle have also played Walterstown this year. Unlike Trim, however, they couldn't beat the Blacks and had to settle for a draw in a group game. That's another stat from this year's campaign that suggests when it comes to firepower, to holding out lively opponents, to possessing the qualities needed to be champions, Trim have the edge.

Chastened, yet emboldened, by past setbacks Trim look like a team ready to take their place at the top table.

IFC PATHS TO THE FINAL

Round one - Trim 2-18, Moylagh 0-7; Oldcastle 2-10, Meath Hill 1-12.

Round two - Trim 2-16, Longwood 1-11; Oldcastle 3-14, Syddan 1-9.

Round three - Trim 3-11, Clann na nGael 2-8; Oldcastle 2-13, Walterstown 1-16.

Quarter-final - Trim 4-18, Dunderry 0-8; Oldcastle 4-8, Nobber 1-10.

Semi-final - Trim 1-14, Walterstown 2-6; Oldcastle 0-12, Rathkenny 0-8.