Feis Cup triumph for high-scoring Trim

Gaeil Colmcille efficiently despatched

Trim ..1-18

Gaeil Colmcille...0-10

Eliz Payne

On a bitterly cold, leap year night, Trim played host to the men from Gaeil Colmcille in a clash to see if either had any prospect of further games in this Feis Cup competition.

Tom Carmody started proceedings with a long range point in the 7th minute that was answered immediately by Gaeil Colmcilles with a nicely taken point under pressure. Back came Trim again to win a free that was converted by Carmody.

The hard working Tadhg Carthy in midfield added another a minute later, only to see Gaeil Colmcille’s level the game in the 13th minute with two points from a well-struck free and a further point from a turnover in front of the Trim posts.

Clearly this was going to be a game with no quarter given. A critical move in the 15th minute saw Rob Bourke win a strong tackle to set up the very alert Eoghan Ryan who swept in from the left wing to slot the ball into the Gaeil Colmcille net.

Carmody added a further point. Gaeil Colmcilles replied with two further points to show they were not prepared to concede anything.

Ben Holden, who was growing into the game with several crucial intercepts, then moved up the pitch to take a solid point.

Two further Trim points, from the hard working Sean Fitzgerald and Carmody, were answered by an excellent Gaeil Colmcille point from an impossible angle.

At half time Trim led 1-7 to 0-8.

At the restart, both teams exchanged points with Fitzgerald’s score answered by a Gaeil Colmcille point from a free.

But then Trim seemed to move up a gear. From the 7th to the 30th minute the Reds relentlessly launched attacks that delivered an impressive 10 points with only one point in reply from their opponents.

In defence Conor McGinley, Eoin Sweeney and Conor Quigley stuck to their task diligently. Despite this intense pressure, Gaeil Colmcilles displayed tenacity and spirit to the end.

But with Carmody kicking points from left and right it was proving to be an impossible task for the visitors. Neil Sweeney finished out the game with a well taken point at the final whistle.

What impressed in this performance was the Trim work rate that produced constant turnovers.

It’s very early in the year but credit to Trim manager Paul Clarke who must be pleased with progress.

Trim - P Munnelly; E Ryan (1-0); B Holden (0-1); C McGinley; B Bolger; C Quigley; E Sweeney (0-1); T Carty (0-3); R Bourke; D Lynch (0-1); S Fitzgerald (0-2); A Shortt; I Byrne; T Carmody (0-9); S Foley. Subs - D Lenihan for B Bolger; K Ennis for S Foley; D Dowling for A Shortt; C Downes for N Holden; N Sweeney (0-1) for S Fitzgerald.