Trim look in top form and ready to match Kilmessan's haul of 29 Jubilee Cup titles

So it all kicks off again, or to be more precise, pucks off again. The quest for the Jubilee Cup that is, with the opening round of games taking place this weekend.

Of course one of the questions is as the participants line up at the start is: Who is going to end up as champions? This observer thinks it's going to be Trim. Again. A 29th title which would match Kilmessan's haul.

There's no need to spend long spells gazing into a crystal ball (if I had one) to come to that conclusion. No need to pour over stats for hours on end. A look at the riches they have available in terms of their playing personnel is enough to convince even the most cynical of skeptics they can retain the coveted piece of silverware.

Ratoath are sure to be there or thereabouts, of course they are, Kildalkey and Kiltale too but Trim? Well, when they are in the zone, they take some beating - and not too many have managed to find the formula to do just that in recent years.

A club can have the most talented management team around, the players in the best physical condition possible. They can have their preparations down to a fine art and their strategy for each game carefully planned but unless they have the human resources able to implement a plan they are unlikely to win the big prize. That applies in any team sport; anywhere.

Anybody who witnessed Trim retain the A HL Div 1 title recently could hardly be but impressed. They defeated Kildalkey, 2-18 to 1-16, and sure they struggled at times particularly in the opening 20 minutes or so (they trailed 0-10 to 0-5 after 25 minutes) but once they started to tap into that power inherent in the team they looked a formidable outfit indeed. Sharp. Focused. They were clear about what they wanted to achieve and how to go about it.

Pa Ryan started as a substitute in that game but came on and had a huge influence. That's the kind of quality they can call on although when it comes to the championship he will no doubt start every game.

It's just that Trim have so many good players all over the pitch, youngsters at the foothills of their careers such as Eoin Ryan, George Douglas, James Murray as well as more seasoned combatants such as Alan Douglas, James Andrews and James Toher. It all combines to make the Reds look about as easy to contain as a runaway horse.

A significant factor in the win over Kildalkey was the fact that eight players got on the scoresheet, that's a hint of how they can make life miserable for opponents. They had large contingent of players on duty for Meath's Ring Cup campaign yet still only lost two games from seven played in the league.

There is a conveyor belt of talent emerging in Trim that is indeed noteworthy.

Kildalkey, under Nick Fitzgerald, are said to be "flying" in training. They were without a sizeable array of talented players for the Div 1 final including Nicky Potterton, Paddy Potterton, Martin Healy, Brendan McKeon. Another who missed out was Brian O'Halloran. The talented dual player is in the Meath football panel and he was not allowed to play against Trim because of the fact Colm O'Rourke's side were due to take on Antrim in the Tailteann Cup semi-final. Kildalkey will want to have all their best players available to them for their opening joust with Na Fianna.

Ratoath are certainly one of those teams who can never be dismissed. Last year they lost three group games but regrouped and built up a head of steam. They just about made it out of their group. They saved their best until the closing stages of the championship surprising many by defeating Kiltale in the last four before losing out to Trim in the final, 1-10 to 1-13, missing good chances along the way. Mike Cole has taken charge of Ratoath this year and he will bring an added dimension.

The team he left is Na Fianna who surprised many with the quality of their performances last season - but they will find it very difficlt get get any wins this time around with their best chance probably against Killyon who could also struggle now their back in Group A after a spell in the lower tier.

Kilmessan look destined to emerge as winners from Group B with Clann na nGael, who, of course, have Eamonn O Donnchadha in their ranks, close behind. Dunboyne's form has fallen away. They finished bottom of Div 1 but they may refind their mojo for a championship campaign? Blackhall Gaels could also be dark horses in this group while Dunderry and Longwood, without the injured Damien Healy, are likely to struggle to pick up wins. At least that's what that old crystal ball tells us!

SHC: Group A - Ratoath, Killyon, Kildalkey, Na Fianna, Trim, Kiltale. Group B - Blackhall Gaels, Dunderry, Kilmessan, Clann na nGael, St Peter's, Dunboyne, Longwood.