Foley's goals complete Trim recovery

Late rally denies O'Mahonys MHC two-in-a-row

Trim .............................................3-13

Navan O'Mahonys.........................1-13

In one of the hurling games of the year Trim completed a stunning comeback to avenge last year's minor final defeat to the same opponents in Wednesday night's thrilling MHC decider at Kilcloon.

Last year it was O'Mahonys who proved too strong in a tight under-17 final and with minor switched to under-18 for this year the same two teams made their way to the final once again where Trim made amends to claim the trophy.

Just as it was in 2025, there was very little between the sides with O'Mahonys excellent stickwork, touch and tenacity in the scrambles for possession putting them on top for the majority of the contest, but Trim hung in there without playing to their potential.

However, there was an ominous sense throughout that once Trim hit their straps they could find their top form and they were magnificent in the closing 20 minutes, outscoring O'Mahonys by 2-6 to 0-2 in that spell to complete a stunning recovery.

O'Mahonys, who were magnificent in the opening half, only managed one point from play in the second period to add to two frees from the excellent Cormac McGuinness as Trim marshalled their rearguard superbly against the lightning quick and every-dangerous Harry McGuirk.

Trim ill-discipline gifted O'Mahonys three points from frees in the opening five minutes as Fitzsimons pointed them ahead with Jesse O'Rourke providing Trim's sole reply.

An Alex Cole free closed the cap to the minimum, but points from Luke Casey and Eoghan McDermott stretched O'Mahonys lead to 0-5 to 0-2 after 12 minutes.

Further points from Cole (free) and O'Rourke closed the gap back to one again and after Max Condren restored a two-point cushion for the Hoops Trim hit the front for the first time when Tadhg Foley cut in from the right and turned on the afterburners to race through on goals and bury the ball to the net.

O'Mahonys response to that setback was emphatic as Oisin Finnegan restored parity before Condren turned over possession in midfield and released McGuirk who used his speed to get clear and fire an excellent goal.

Casey and Fitzsimons (free) added points and even though Ruairi McCaffrey pulled a point back from a free for Trim, O'Mahonys looked comfortable with a 1-9 to 1-5 lead.

Scores were scarce in the opening 12 minutes of the second-half, but the intensity was peak as McCaffrey and Fitzsimons traded points with O'Mahonys retaining their four point cushion1-11 to 1-7, but then Trim started to shift momentum.

Cormac Walsh clipped over a point before McCaffrey added a free and then in the 50th minute came the crucial second goal for Trim as Foley and McCaffrey linked up to release Walsh who applied a brilliant finish to make it 2-9 to 1-11.

O'Mahonys response was once again impressive as Fitzsimons (free) and Ruairi McDermott restored their lead, but those proved to be their last scores as Trim assumed complete control.

Substitute Seanie Henry pointed from close to his own 45 and in the 57th minute O'Rourke's point attempt dropped short and was batted down to Foley who pulled first time to make it 3-10 to 1-13.

McCaffrey landed a huge free from just outside his own 45-metre line before Walsh pointed with 90 seconds left to ensure no way back for O'Mahonys.

The Navan side did try to create a number of goal chances, but Conor McGuinness stood firm between the posts and  fittingly it was two-goal hero Foley who closed the scoring with the last point to spark wild celebrations in the Trim camp following a pulsating contest.

Trim: John McMoreland; Liam O'Donnell, James Murray, Ryan Collins; Fionn Ennis, Charlie O'Connor, Conor Heffernan; Leon Harris, Oisin Hughes; Cormac Walsh (1-2), Ruairi McCaffrey (0-5 frees), Lee Kearney; Jesse O'Rourke (0-2), Alex Cole (0-2 frees), Tadhg Foley (2-1). Subs - Conor McGuinness for McMoreland, Seanie Henry (0-1) for O'Donnell both half-time, Ronan O'Hara for Heffernan 42m.

Navan O'Mahonys: Dan Carolan; Luke Maguire, Sam O'Brien, Michael Byrne; Oisin Finnegan (0-1), Luke Brady, Robbie Gaffney, Max Condren (0-1), Cormac Fitzsimons (0-6 frees); Darragh Ward, Harry McGuirk (1-0), Adam McEvoy; Ruairi McDermott (0-1), Luke Casey (0-2), Eoghan McDermott (0-1). Subs - Oisin Wade for McEvoy 59m, Diarmuid Keyes for Condren 61m.

Referee: Conal O'Sullivan (Drumree).

See next Tuesday's Meath Chronicle for report and more photos.