Lynch the hero for the Reds in thrilling clash with Rathkenny

Aaron Lynch kicked the winning point for Trim and finished with 11 points in their slender victory over Rathkenny

Trim 2-2-11 (21)

Rathkenny 2-0-14 (20)

Aaron Lynch hit three crucial late points as Trim took and lost the lead twice in the closing few minutes before eventually getting over the line against Rathkenny in the SFC at Dunganny on Thursday. The tricky corner forward finished with 11 points and was the main character in a very entertaining tight contest.

The Trim defence should also be commended for their performance and at the forefront of that was the absolute unit that is James Toher, who made several fantastic interceptions and turnovers.

After a tetchy first-half that had plenty of turnovers of possesion on either end, the game really sparked into life in the second 30 minutes. After the restart, a James O’Hare goal got Rathkenny off to a flyer and with 40 minutes gone, they led 2-8 to 1-9. ‘

Trim slowly started to chip away at Joey Farrelly’s side lead until they drew level and then in the 49th minute, Eoin Sweeney found the back of the Rathkenny net to put Trim up by three. 0-3 on the spin for Rathkenny drew them level.

The closing stages was absolutely nailbiting stuff for both sets of supporters. Lynch put Trim ahead in the 59th minute. Keith Curtis responded before Aaron Lynch stepped up again and put the Red’s noses in front. Rathkenny weren't dead yet and Corbin Jenkinson got the equaliser before Lynch had one last trick up his sleeve and struck a marvellous ‘45’ to seal the victory.

After Donal Keoghan opened the scoring for Rathkenny, Trim responded immediately and a good ball from Sean Foley fell to Tom Carmody whose dubious point that appeared wide was awarded, much to the dismay of the Rathkenny faithful.

A few minutes later, Rathkenny were given a huge early boost when Christy Meade picked out Luke Kealy wide and Kealy cut in from way out on the right-hand side, turned on the burners and skinned two Trim defenders before producing an excellent finish to the net.

Aaron Lynch then took centre stage and kicked two two-pointers in a row and followed up with a free to put Trim ahead 0-6 to 1-1 after 15 minutes. Momentum swung back in favour of Rathkenny and they hit three points in a row through two Keith Curtis frees and an Adam Byrne point.

Foley had a half-goal chance in the 27th minute, but after a misstep, laid it back to Aaron Lynch who drew Trim level again. Aaron Lynch and Noah Jenkinson traded points just before the break to leave the sides level at the interval, 0-8 to 1-5.

Rathkenny hit the ground running in the second-half when a lofty ‘45’ from Keith Curtis, dropped into the danger area and was fisted to the net by James O’Hare. Noah Jenkinson followed up with a point but David Lernihan quickly responded for Trim with an excellent score. After David Curtis tapped over, Rathkenny led 2-7 to 0-9 and looked in control.

Trim went on the offensive and David Murtagh set up Sean Foley who had several bodies in front of him but managed to find the back of the Rathkenny net with an excellent finish. Points from Daire Lynch and James Murray brought Trim back level with 15 minutes remaining.

In what was a crucial moment, David Lernihan set up Eoin Sweeney who finished to the back of the Rathkenny net to put Trim 2-12 to 2-9 ahead with only 10 minutes remaining. Two Max McKenna points and one from Keoghan brought Rathkenny level before the grandstand finish late on, where Aaron Lynch by himself, outscored Rathkenny 0-3 to 0-2 to seal victory for the reds.

Trim - Eoin O’Reilly; Conor McGinly Ben Holden, Eoghan Ryan; Eoin Sweeney (1-0), James Toher, Ciaran Caulfield; Tadgh Carty, James Murray (0-1); Eoin O’Connor, Daire Lynch (0-1), David Lernihan (0-1); Tom Carmody (0-1), Aaron Lynch (0-11 two frees, two two-points, one “45”), Sean Foley (1-0). Subs - David Murtagh for O’Connor half-time, Gerry Dwane for Holden, Alan Douglas for Carmody both 41m, Tom Carmody for Foley 52m, Sean Fitzgerald for Carty 64m.

Rathkenny - Finn Moore; Ciaran O’Hare, Adam Byrne (0-2), Sean O’Hare; Robbie Garry, Padraig McKeever, James O’Hare (1-0); Donal Keoghan (0-2), David Curtis (0-1); Luke Kealy (1-0), Keith Curtis (0-4 four frees) , Aaron Johnson; Noah Jenkinson (0-2), James Mackin, Christy Meade. Subs - Joey Curtis for Jenkinson, Max McKenna (0-2) for James Macken both 50m, Oisin Cummins Fuller for Meade 52m, Corbin Jenknson (0-1) for McKeever 59m.

Referee - Patrick Coyle (Curraha).