FT Áth Troim 1:20 Bhulf Tóns 2-17
With all teams now playing their penultimate championship games, managers have the usual headaches of niggles and injuries to contend with. However, this weekend there was ……………………EP!
As a dual club, and under the One Club ethos, it was particularly evident that our Camogie and LGFA players had a fixture-free weekend. Perhaps something for the GAA to look at when planning the fixtures next year.
The game itself started at a cracking pace from the throw-in, with a ball finding Mikey Cullen, who struck for goal only to be denied by the bottom upright. Mikey continued to cause havoc for the Tóns defence, registering three points in less than ten minutes before being forced off through injury.
The pressure continued to build, with all our forwards contributing to the scoreboard as Trim took control of the game.
That pressure was being matched at the other end, with our backs putting in an impressive display of hurling, combining strength, skill and experience. The two McGraths and David Foley were particularly prominent as they worked tirelessly to keep the Tóns attack at bay.
With just two minutes remaining to half-time, Trim held a three-point lead when the Tóns were awarded a penalty. It was all down to our last line of defence, and Dimmy in goals, produced a cracking save to preserve Trim's advantage.
Áth Troim 0-13 | Bhulf Tóns 1-07
The second half continued at the same pace as the first, with both sides trading points and neither team willing to give an inch. The intensity remained high, with plenty of physical exchanges and some excellent hurling from both sides as they battled for every ball.
The Tóns managed to find the back of the net again, putting the pressure back on Trim. However, our lads responded by getting stuck in and continuing to work hard. David Fox had been causing problems up front and, after seeing an earlier effort on goal denied, he got round his marker and fired to the back of the net to bring Trim right back into the contest.
From there, the game became a real battle. The teams continued to trade point for point, with neither side able to create enough daylight to pull clear. The supporters were treated to a tough, physical and entertaining game, with both sets of players giving everything right to the final whistle.
As the clock ran down, Trim pushed for the score that might have secured the win, while the Tóns continued to threaten at the other end. In the end, however, there was nothing to separate the sides and the final whistle confirmed a well-earned draw.
Considering we were up against the Tóns first team, and taking into account the injuries and missing players Trim had to contend with, this was a very good result for our lads. The character and work rate shown throughout the game will give plenty of encouragement as the championship campaign moves towards its conclusion.
Back Row L-R Darragh Kennedy, Mark Murray (0-02), Alex Fox (0-01), Cathal O'Reilly (0-01), Dimmy Higgins, Daniel Murray (0-05), Luca Taheny, Daniel Fox (0-05), Pádraig Walsh, Cian Walshe, David Fox (1-0)
Front Row L-R Mikey Cullen (0-03), Josh Ayton (0-01), David Foley, Colm McGrath, Rory McGrath, Oisín Hackett, Darragh McLoughlin (0-02), Paddy Kennedy
