U21 HC final: Goals guide Trim to title
December 15, 2018
A sideline was given as Trim's Mikey Cullen is put under pressure to keep the ball in play during the Meath U21 HC final at Athboy
Four goals were central to Trim's narrow win over Na Fianna in an exciting Under 21 HC final at Athboy on Saturday afternoon.
Trim ..................... 4-7
Na Fianna ............. 1-13
To view photos from this game click here
The goals sustained Trim against Na Fianna's strong final quarter rally which left just a score between the sides at the finish.
When sub Andrew Dinan netted in the 38th minute the board read 4-5 to 0-10. With that seven-point lead Trim looked good for the Thomas Carrigy Cup.
Two first-half goals from team captain Peter Farrell followed Mikey Cole's opener.
Over the hour Na Fianna looked the fitter team but the concession of those goals proved too much for the south county side.
Their tally of 11 wides to Trim's four didn't help the team in mainly yellow jerseys.
Trim owe a lot to goalkeeper Charlie Ennis who made two timely second-half saves. In addition corner-back Declan Dowling was the pick of a vigilant defence.
Despite the inclement weather conditions, it proved to be an engrossing final with the Na Fianna rally contributing significantly to it.
The main downside was difficulty in reading the Na Fianna jerseys, white numbers on a yellow background. The club's football teams wore black numbers providing a strong constrast.
Na Fianna were quick off the mark with Ethan Devine pointing inside 12 seconds. Mark Slevin (free) soon doubled their advantage. The full-forward finished with eight points to his credit.
The first goal arrived six minutes in with Cole netting after Na Fianna's Adam Farrell made a fine save. The left Trim 1-1 to 0-2 to the good. Na Fianna regained parity on two occasions before the break.
A Mark Slevin 65 tied it at 0-7 to 1-4. Trim responded with those two Farrell goals in quick succession and lef by 3-5 to 0-8 at the break.
Despite appearing to be hampered by the elements, Na Fianna resumed with a brace of points. Then came Andrew Dinan's goal that proved crucial at the finish.
Na Fianna trimmed the deficit, greatly helped by Walsh's 54th minute goal - with assistance from Mark Slevin.
Despite playing against the cross wind and the fall on ground on a seasonally sticky pitch, Na Fianna outscored Trim by 1-3 to 0-2 in the the final third of the hour.
For the second year running, Na Fianna finish runners-up in this competition. Meanwhile Trim add this title to the MHC won earlier in the year.
Trim - Charlie Ennis; Declan Dowling, Gerard Dwane, Cian Walsh; Padraic David Murtagh, Cian Lee, Conor Quigley; Ben Holden, Dylan Farrell (0-1); Kevin Lennon, Peter Farrell (C) (2-0), Ian Bermingham; Mikey Cole (1-0), Brian Dowling (0-3, 2fs), Mikey Cullen (0-3). Subs - Patrick Dinan for Murtagh (9), Andrew Dinan (1-0) for Quigley (33), Mark Murray for P Farrell (56).
Na Fianna - Adam Farrell; Daniel Devine, Noel O'Sullivan (C), Stephen Slevin; Sean Coffey, Peter Slevin, Tiernan McCloskey; Ethan Devine (0-2), Ronan Byrne; Oisin Coffey, Shane Walsh (1-1), Kean Flynn; Will Flynn, Mark Slevin (0-8, 5fs 1 65), Sean Martin (0-1). Subs - Luke Kelly (0-1) for O Coffey (ht).
Referee - Gerry O'Brien (Wolfe Tones)
