HL Div 1: Fine start for Trim

Trim 2-20; Ratoath 1-10

Trim welcomed arch rivals Ratoath to St Loman’s Park for this opening fixture in the All County Hurling League Division 1.

On an overcast, breezy Sunday morning, the home side elected to play with the favourable wind and this proved advantageous as they stretched to a half time lead of 1-11 to 0-3.

Trim’s opener came in the fifth minute from Alan Douglas. Mikey Cullen increased the home side’s advantage before Tom Fadden opened Ratoath’s account in the twelfth minute. Trim were playing with great self belief, sound defending and dominance in mid field where Mark Molloy was lording affairs. Up front Mikey Cullen was finding plenty of space out on the left ably supported by Alan Douglas, Mikey Cole, and Ian Birmingham.

Trim hit five further points on the bounce from Mikey Cullen, Brian Dowling (2, 1f), Ian Birmingham, and Alan Douglas before Cian Kelly had Ratoath’s second score in the twenty second minute. The home side immediately responded and after fine inter play between Conor Quigley and Alan Douglas the final pass landed to Mikey Cole who gave Ratoath ’keeper Gearod Crowley no chance as he rifled his shot to the back of the net.

Cole followed up immediately with an opportunist point before Cian Rogers converted a free for only Ratoath’s third score. Trim finished the half in style with further points from Mikey Cullen, Ian Bermingham, and Brian Dowling (f).

HT: Trim 1-11; Ratoath 0-3

On the resumption the visitors displayed a greater intent but Trim ‘keeper Charlie Ennis denied Daithi McGowan from close range before McGowan converted from a following free. Mikey Cullen added another score for the home side before Ratoath had their best spell with a goal and two points (1f) from Mc Gowan by the eight minute. The visitors may have felt that a comeback was on the cards but Alan Douglas stretched Trim’s advantage with two well taken frees. Ratoath responded briefly when Cian Rogers converted another free but Trim hit back immediately through Alan Douglas (f), a fine goal by Mikey Cullen, following good play between Mark Molloy and Mikey Cole, and a further point by Mikey Cole.

Cian Rogers pointed another free but Trim hit back with a further score from Sean McGee and another pointed free from Alan Douglas. The game was grinding to its inevitable conclusion when Brian Moore stepped up with a converted ’70, followed by a converted free, which was to end Ratoath’s scoring. Trim continued to press forward and substitute Peter Farrell was rewarded with a fine individual score before corner back David Murtagh finished the scoring with, what was arguably, the best score of the day.

A special mention must be made for referee Shane Mooney who allowed the game to flow while keeping a firm control on affairs.

All in all, this was a very satisfactory start to the League campaign for Trim’s coaching staff of Jimmy Canty, Ciaran Joyce, and David McGuinness.

FT: Trim 2-20; Ratoath 1-10

Trim: Charlie Ennis, Ben Holden, Gerry Dwane, Conor Quigley, David Murtagh (0-1), Dimmy Higgins, Sean McGee (0-1), Dylan Farrell, Mark Molloy, Brian Dowling (0-3, 2f), James Andrews, Ian Bermingham (0-2), Mikey Cullen (1-4), Alan Douglas (0-6,4f), Mikey Cole (1-2). Subs Arnie McGee, Peter Farrell (0-1), David Foley, Colm McGrath, Andrew Gibney

Ratoath: Gearod Crowley, Sam Coughlan, Cormac Butler, Stephen Cooper, Brian Moore (0-2, 1’70,1f), Ben McGowan, Conor Ward, Cian Kelly (0-1), Niall Mc Larnon, Ciaran O’Hanrahan, Daithi McGowan, Tom Fadden (0-1), Padraic Byrne, Cian Rogers (1-6, 6f), Sean Johnson

Report by Kevin Coleman