Irresistible Ratoath to march on
SHC SEMI FINAL PREVIEW
Of the two SHC semi-finals next weekend, this repeat of last year's final between Trim and Ratoath certainly catches the attention and is sure to be a cracker.
Champions Ratoath are strongly fancied to get the better of Trim again and edge closer to just their third senior hurling crown, but the second most decorated club in Meath hurling are hell bent on revenge.
Despite playing second fiddle for most of last year's final, Trim still feel aggrieved about a late refereeing call that went against them and they will be keen to prove they are better than the performance they produced that day.
Late on in injury-time of last year's final, when trailing by just two points Trim were awarded a penalty, but after consulting with his umpires referee Conor Ferguson changed his mind and handed the Reds a 20-metre free. James Murray went for goal, but his shot was saved and Ratoath held on for their first SHC crown since 1963.
With that monkey of over 60 years of hurt off their back Ratoath have kicked on and they are the only remaining side with a perfect record in this year's championship with five wins from five and an average winning margin of over 20 points.
The champs have been sensational and deservedly wear the favourites tag.
Players like Padraig O'Hanrahan, Cian Rogers, Daithi McGowan, Gavin McGowan, Cian Kelly and Bryan McMahon form a formidable attack and with Niall McLarnon returning from a horrific injury to solidify midfield with Ciaran O'Hanrahan they ensure a plentiful supply of ammunition for their attackers.
Defensively Ratoath also look unbreachable. They conceded their first goals of the campaign in their closing group game against Clann na nGael and have yet to concede more than 12 points in any game.
Anchored by Darragh Kelly at centre-back and with others like Domhnall Rogers, Liam Kelly, Ben McGowan, Conor McGill and exceptional goalkeeper Colm O'Riordan it is easy to see why Ratoath have been so mean defensively.
They are the complete package. They hunt in packs, deny opponents room, break swiftly and have the individual talent to pick off scores from everywhere.
It is hard to find a weakness in the defending champions, but if any team can, it's Trim.
Before Covid hit hard in 2020 Ratoath looked rampant and on their way to the Jubilee Cup. They were strong favourites to defeat Trim, but then everything shut down. When the final was eventually played in August 2021 Trim had improved and claimed the title with a sensational win over the form team of the championship.
That defeat almost broke Ratoath and while Ratoath did manage to exact revenge against Trim in last year's final, they were less than convincing winners despite being the better team.
Trim stir an uncertainty in Ratoath. There are areas of the Trim team that Ratoath struggle to contain and the sight of the red jerseys allows a little bit of doubt creep in - Trim will aim to capitalise on that.
This year Trim have not been the fluid Trim we have come to expect. Injuries and departures have played a significant part and in their opening game of this year's championship against Dunderry they were missing eight of the team that started last year's final.
Slowly, but surely Trim have been able to get key men back and fit and for the majority of their quarter-final win over Kildalkey they looked formidable and well capable of putting it up to anyone.
There is still a huge reliance on James Toher as the rock at the heart of the Trim defence, but he looked injured against Kildalkey and could be a concern.
The return of Gary Fleming was a welcome one, while Eoghan Ryan has also come back into the fold. Mikey Cole is due back from suspension, but a broken arm for James Andrews will leave them without one of their more experienced campaigners in what is a young attack.
Meath under-20 players Darragh Heffernan, Kyle Ennis and George Douglas have impressed this year and in James Murray Trim have one of the most electrifying attackers in the county.
Throw-in a solid midfield of the outstanding Joey Cole and David Murtagh with Conor Quigley and Dimmy Higgins also capable of pinpoint passing and creativity it is easy to understand why Ratoath get jittery at the sight of Trim.
Declan Murray, who took over from Paul Kelly midway through the campaign, has got Trim humming and they are improving, but will it be enough of an improvement to trouble an irresistible looking Ratoath? Doubtful.
Verdict - Ratoath.