Championship season is finally here and Trim and Na Fianna travelled to Rathmolyon for this recent opening clash.
After a somewhat indifferent League campaign, Trim were in a determined mood for a good Championship start, while Na Fianna were probably thinking that Trim were there for the taking.
Trim, playing with a slight wind disadvantage, had the opening score through George Douglas but Na Fianna, with rugged determination, had the next three scores and after a successful Kyle Ennis converted free, it was Na Fianna who, once again, had the next three on the bounce, and held a four point advantage after just twelve minutes of play.
Trim, however, were undeterred and, playing with a certain calmness, carved out the next three scores through George Douglas, Mikey Cole, and Kyle Ennis.
It was fairly evenly matched to the end of the opening half although Na Fianna had slightly the better of the closing exchanges, with the Trim scores coming from George Douglas, Ian Birmingham, and Joey Cole.
With some stout defending from both sides, there was never really a threat of a goal at either end and it was Na Fianna who held a two point cushion when referee Henry Clifford sounded the half time whistle.
Half Time: Trim 0-8; Na Fianna 0-10
Na Fianna had the opening score on the resumption, through a Ronan Byrne converted free, but Joey Cole responded on the double to leave a single point between the sides. Another Na Fianna point, this time from Oisin Bright, in the sixth minute, signalled the Trim purple patch with five unanswered points. The first of those was a Joey Cole converted free before Eoghan Ryan moved out of his wing back position and popped over to bring the sides level in the eleventh minute.
George Douglas added another, almost immediately, before Mikey Cole saw his goal bound effort brilliantly tipped over the bar by Na Fianna net minder Jonathan McCluskey. Joey Cole was once again on the mark before Ethan Devine clawed one back for his shell-shocked side.
James Andrews restored Trim’s three point advantage but Anthony Healy responded for the opposition. Trim’s Conor Quigley and Peter Slevin, for Na Fianna, then exchanged scores and this proved to be Na Fianna’s final score in the twentieth minute.
A clever side line from Joey Cole found the unmarked James Toher who made no mistake with a lovely score and Trim’s scoring was completed with fine efforts from Conor Quigley, Pa Ryan, and a converted Joey Cole free.
When Henry Clifford sounded the final whistle there seemed to be somewhat of a downbeat mood among the Trim ranks but, make no mistake, this was a well dug out victory in a very tricky affair.
Next up is a second round against arch rivals Kildalkey on Sunday, August 2nd, scheduled for Dunganny, with a 4pm throw in.
Panel Dylan Farrell, Joey Cole, David Murtagh, Conor Quigley, Eoghan Ryan, James Toher, Mark Murray, Alan Douglas, Darragh Heffernan, Ben Holden, Dimmy Higgins, Eoin O'Reilly, Pádraig Walsh, Kyle Ennis, Ian Birmingham, George Douglas, James Andrews, Gary Fleming, Ruairí McCaffrey, Danny Coleman, Mikey Cole, Pa Ryan
