Fairyhouse Steel – Senior Football Championship – Group D Round 2
📝 Martin Bourke
📝 Martin Bourke
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Travelling down the road to Summerhill on Saturday evening, Trim knew that the challenge ahead from Ratoath would likely be the toughest of this year’s campaign. Ratoath, winners of 3 out of the last 5 senior county titles, and with a team strewn with county players, deservedly strode onto the pitch with an air of confidence and purpose. And this purpose was immediately demonstrated with 2 points in as many minutes that allowed Ratoath settle into a stride while Trim were still finding their positions on the pitch. Ratoath set a tempo of fast, fluid football that had Trim chasing the ball furtively from the start. By the 13th minute a 2-point lead had become a 4-point lead. When the Reds did get hand on ball, some poor decisions saw chances going repeatedly wide of the post. Aaron Lynch was a welcome return to the red jersey after a spell over in Chicago – but Ratoath were alert to the danger and in the opening 10 minutes marshalled the county man well. 6 points up by the 17th minute, and some on the sideline were beginning to speculate on the possible margin of victory – or defeat. But to Trim’s credit they were not prepared to quit just yet. Big Sean Fitzgerald, battling hard in midfield secured the ball and launched down the left wing to cooly slot the ball over for Trim’s first score after a full 19 minutes of play. Ratoath immediately replied with 2 more easily taken points to give a margin of 7 points with only 21 minutes on the clock. Ciaran Caulfield’s very industrious play drew a free that enabled Aaron Lynch slot over for his first of the game. The Trim defence was under constant pressure and despite hard graft from David Murtagh and Jack McGowan the Ratoath forwards were finding gaps. On the 24th minute, one such gap opened up and drew a free for Ratoath that was eventually brought up in front of the posts by the referee following some loose talk - and duly converted. Action needed to be taken by Trim - and this came in the arrival of double substitutes Holden and Murray. This managerial switch seemed to inject a combination of momentum and fear into the Trim players duly demonstrated by a collective raising of their game. With minutes to go before halftime, Rob Bourke turned over a Ratoath attack and set James Murray free for a searing attack straight down the pitch for a very well taken point. Immediately on the restart a critical moment in the game saw Trim’s Caulfield punching the ball into the Ratoath net only to have it ruled a square ball. A minute later and another turnover allowed Aaron Lynch through for another well taken point. Better by Trim. But as things were beginning to look somewhat more positive for Trim, Ratoath rallied and struck back with 2 points of their own to regain an impressive 7-point lead as the whistle sounded for the break.
Half time: Trim 0-04 Ratoath 0-11
Immediately on the restart Ratoath extended their lead with a well struck point. Except for the intervention of Aaron Lynch, they could have added another from the kickout. Chasing an 8-point lead other teams might have started thinking of calling it a day but Trim were clearly not in that mental space. Rallied forward by their talented captain Conor Quigley the men from the home of Braveheart surged on the enemy lines to win a free converted by Aaron Lynch. Moments later David Murtagh, who had been fearless in defence again launched forward and drew a free that Lynch converted with ease. 6 minutes gone and some spirit was back in the Reds. Declan Dowling for Trim inspired with blocks and tackles that constantly thwarted Ratoath ambitions. On the 11th minute Ratoath converted a free in front of the posts that was answered a minute later when a low ball into Lynch drew a free that was converted by Trim’s David Lernihan. Seconds later a wonderful move by Lynch, with his trademark jink, again set up the very impressive Lernihan who narrowly shot wide. Lernihan who came on as substitute at half time, made amends a minute later when he converted a free from a distance out only to be answered immediately by Ratoath with a well taken point of their own. In the following minutes Trim increased the pressure on the Ratoath defence but frustratingly, repeatedly kicked wide. A further point by Ratoath was answered with 2 further, well taken points from Lernihan who will surely be hoping for a slot on the Trim starting sheet for the next match. In the final kick of the game Ratoath closed out proceedings with a point to give them a final winning margin of 5 points.
There can be no doubting about this deserved win for Ratoath. Trim have only themselves to blame for an unforgivably slow start to the game and a procession of poor decisions, wides and a disallowed goal that should have had them much closer. But all was not negative for Trim – in fact there was a lot of positives that should be built on. Despite injuries, Trim’s substitutes did very well when called upon. A very strong second half saw Trim out score a trophy-bedecked Ratoath team and pin them back deep into their own half - this was surly a highlight. Trim certainly are not quitters. But games must be played over a full 60 minutes - and right from the first throw in.
Trim should learn a lot from this game…..but then again, so will Ratoath….that’s what the best teams do.
Trim 0-11 Ratoath 0-16
Trim: P Munnelly; D Murtagh; J McGowan; B Bolger, E Ryan; D Dowling; E Sweeney; R Bourke; S Fitzgerald (0-01); C Quigley (Capt.); T Carty; C Caulfield; I Byrne; D Lynch; A Lynch (0-05)
Subs: B Holden for B Bolger; J Murray (0-01) for I Byrne; D Lernihan (0-04) for T Carty; K Ennis for D Dowling; H Purcell for B Holden
