MHC final: McKeown goal crucial for Trim
October 07, 2018
Trim's Conor McKeown wheels away after scoring the only goal in the MHC final against Killyon/Longwood at Pairc Tailteann
Conor McKeown's 40th minute goal was central to Trim's MHC final win over Killyon/Longwood in Sunday's curtain-raiser at Pairc Tailteann.
Trim .......................... 1-12
Killyon/Longwood ........ 0-10
McKeown capitalized on a defensive mix-up to slot home from close range and leave the board reading 1-8 to 0-6.
Mikey Cole added a point and Trim were double scores to the good and the club looked set for their second hurling championship of the weekend, which they duly delivered.
To their credit Killyon/Longwood rallied and but for four wides at the start of the final quarter might have got closer to Trim.
Trim centre-half-back Conor Quigley was prominent in the latter stages doing his bit to ensure Trim remained in front to the end.
Killyon/Longwood got to within a goal of Trim by the 56th minute. However, despite playing into a strong squally wind the team in red and white held firm.
They secured possession of the Tony Donnelly Cup with points from James Murray (free) and Dylan Farrell. Murray seemed to go over on his ankle when taking the free and was replaced.
The outcome means Killyon/Longwood are runners-up in this championship (now under 17) for the second year running.
Killyon's Shane Clarke was outstanding at full-back for the combination side while Niall Smullen finished with seven points (six frees).
In the opening 30 minutes Trim had whatever assistance the elements offered on an overcast afternoon.
There was a lot of red and white on show, though the green Killyon/Longwood shorts offered some contrast between the kits.
The opening score took nearly eight minutes to arrive with Conor McKeown pointing with assistance from Ciaran Caulfield.
Trim doubled their tally almost immediately with Dylan Farrell registering. They added four further points before the 20th minute. James Murray's 13th minute solo effort was the pick of those.
Mikey Cole scored Trim's sixth point with assistance from Farrell and Gary Fleming.
Niall Smullen's 20th free, close to the open terrace sideline, got Kiltale off the mark. Seconds later Killyon/Longwood corner-back Barry Hannon did very well to keep out Dylan Farrell's goal attempt.
Smullen landed his second free before Cathal McKeown landed Killyon/Longwood's first score from play in first-half stoppage time.
Having leaked just six scores when playing into the strong wind, a 0-3 to 0-6 interval deficit didn't look daunting for Killyon/Longwood.
Justin Coyne pulled another point back for Killyon/Longwood within 16 seconds of the restart to cut the deficit to two points.
By the 34th minute the teams had shared four second-half scores. The next score proved crucial to the outcome.
Trim - Calum Buckley; Brian Bolger, Sean Mahony, Josh Harris (0-1); Daniel Coleman, Conor Quigley, Gary Fleming; Ciaran Caulfield, Ben Holden; Mikey Cole (0-4, 1 f), James Murray (0-3, 1f), Jonathan McEvoy; Conor McKeown (1-2), Dylan Farrell (0-2), Joey Cole. Subs - Aonghus Shortt for J Cole (41), Ian Bermingham for McEvoy (41, Oisin Hackett for Caulfield (48), Harry Harlin for Murray (60)
Killyon/Longwood - Quin Fisher; Adam McCooey (C), Shane Clarke, Barry Hannon; Darren Kilcoyne, Cian Brennan, Sam King; Niall Smullen (0-7, 6fs), Harry Smyth; Conor L'Estrange, Justin Coyne (0-1, 1f), Stefan Holzner; Shane Dixon, James Connolly, Cathal McKeown (0-2). Subs - Dennis Darby for McCooey (ht),
Referee - Gus Martyn (Dunderry)
