Átha Troim v Baile na B Friday 29th March 2024, 8pm in St. Lomans Park

The weather finally cleared somewhat to a dry and still evening, last Friday night when Trim welcomed Walterstown to St. Lomans Park for round 4 of the Adult Spring League.

A fit and focussed Átha Troim side battled from the off, determined to gain the valuable points from this game, however the speed of play and strength from the newly promoted Intermediate side, coupled with some loose passing play and too easily conceded frees from Trim meant the away side left with the win.

The home side did not come to play around and met the opposition with fire and determination in what was a very physically demanding, and fast, first half. First blood went to Trim with a point from play by Bláthnaid Hughes, but this proved to be their only score until the 2nd half. Walterstown retaliated with a flurry of points both from play and from frees Trim conceded as they did their best to stave off the influx of fast and skilled play towards the Trim goalie Jodie Levey, who dealt with everything that came her way with confidence.

HT Trim 0-1 Walterstown 0-7

The second half opened with a fierce determination and resilient attitude from the home side who were not going to let the visitors walk away with the game. However, it took 17 mins for Aoife McDonnell to pop over a much needed point from some excellent passing and strong movement down the field.

Walterstowns talent of always finding their mark on the kickout continued to be a thorn in the side of the home team and they retaliated with an immediate and quickly moved point from play.

A few moments later, Trim were awarded a free, Aoife McDonnell stepped up in more ways than one and expertly put the ball in the back of the Walterstown net. This much needed boost added fire to the bellies of the Trim side who had been gaining confidence throughout the 2nd half. Walterstown did not take this lying down either and responded with a goal of their own.

A smooth, fast and precise movement of the ball found Ladies HEC Championship Winning player, Sarah Caulfield, on the run towards goal and she showed her fantastic skills, finding the net to the joy of the home crowd.

With an injury to deal with for the Trim side a number of substitutions were made, they pulled together again to try to pull back the deficit. Sub Aoibheann Diamond popped the ball over the bar close to the end but this wasn’t enough to catch the Walterstown lead. Trim fought and battled for every single ball, sometimes too fiercely which resulted in a total of 8 points scored from frees by the opposition.

FT Trim 2-03 Walterstown 1:13

Trim will take a lot of learnings from the game and work on them in the coming weeks as they take a break with a bye round in the league. This team, who finally reached their goal of winning Junior B in 2023, will look at the Walterstown game as a lesson in what we are very close to as they reset and continue the Spring Campaign in a few weeks time.

The high points of the game were the speed, strength and resilience the home side showed on the night, the low points were giving away easy frees and some questionable passing and receiving which, when missed, Walterstown were able to scoop up and capitalise on. A very entertaining game for the large crowd in attendance.

Átha Troim Scorers – Bláthnaid Hughes 0-1, Aoife McDonnell 1-01, Sarah Caulfield 1-0, Aoibheann Diamond 0-1.

Átha Troim: 1.Jodie Leavy, 2. Dearbhla Brady, 3. Adelle Flynn, 4. Kate Dunne, 5. Megan Carolan Flynn (Holly O’Donnell), 6. Emer Ferry, 7. Cliodhna Vaughan, 8. Anna Bolger (Una Mitchell), 9. Sarah Caulfield, 10. Alex Donohue (Aoibheann Diamond), 11. Aoife McDonnell, 12. Bláthnaid Hughes, 13. Rachel Hannon (Meg Ní Scolaí), 14. Shona White, 15. Katie Newman, 16., Naoise Barry, 17. Meg Ní Scolaí, 18. Aoibheann Diamond, 19. Mia Chambers, 20. Holly O’Donnell, 21. Una Mitchell, 22. Emma O’Neill