SHC Group B: Easy win puts Trim through
August 17, 2019
Trim's Ryan Andrews clears his lines as Paddy Skehan and John Foley (O'Mahonys) look on during the Meath SHC clash at Kildalkey
Trim secured a place at the business end of the SHC with this decisive win over Navan O'Mahonys at Kildalkey on Friday evening
Trim ............... 3-18
O'Mahonys ..... 2-6
Last year's runners-up secured their fourth win of the campaign having made all the running on a blustery evening.
Having struggled to see off Blackhall Gaels last time out, last year's runners-up were quick out of the blocks here with Mikey Cullen posting two points from play in the opening three minutes when the men in red and white were playing into the elements.
Cullen finished with six points from play with eight of his team mates also on the scoresheet.
Heading into the second quarter, Trim were six clear when Neil Heffernan goaled following a strong run.
For O'Mahonys a fourth defeat leaves them in danger of relegation. Their rescheduled round one fixture against Boardsmill next Wednesday should go some way to deciding who drop to intermediate level.
The efforts of goalkeeper Shane Flannery ensured James Burke's men didn't fall by a wider margin. Points from Conor Fitzpatrick and Gavin Fox left O'Mahonys six points in arrears, 0-5 1-8, with half-time approaching.
Points Heffernan and Cullen left Trim 1-10 to 0-5 ahead at the break, with the prospect of elemental advantage to come.
Within three minutes of resumption, Trim had moved 13 points clear. A Brian Dowling point was followed by a Mikey Cole goal. A Damo McGee free completed that sequence.
Trim maintained momentum and by the three-quarter mark it was 3-13 to 0-6. A John Foley free was O'Mahonys first score of the second-half.
Flannery continued to keep Trim's goal count down. He was powerless to prevent James Toher placing Ian Bermingham for Trim's third goal.
Sub Ciaran Joyce was among the scorers as Trim 19 points clear in the final quarter. O'Mahonys' replied with two goals. Barry McEvoy capped an industrious outing with the first, from close range having fielded Conor Fitzpatrick's delivery.
The second came courtesy of a well-drilled Paddy Skehan penalty for O'Mahonys' last score of the game. Around this time they lost Jack Walsh to a second yellow card,
At the other end, James Toher closed the scoring to leave 15 points between the sides at the finish.
O'Mahonys' outstanding fixture from round one against Boardsmill is set for Trim on Wednesday next (7.0). They face Kilmessan in the final round. Trim take on Na Fianna at the same stage.
Trim - James Andrews; Colin O'Rourke, Ryan Andrews, Colm McGrath; David Murtagh, James Toher (0-1), Sean Magee; Dylan Farrell Conor Quigley (0-1), Ian Bermingham (1-0), Damian Magee (0-5 3fs), Brian Dowling (0-1); Mikey Cole (1-1), Neil Heffernan (1-2), Mikey Cullen (0-6). Subs - Dimmy Higgins for Dowling (47), Ciaran Joyce (0-1) for Cole (47), Peter Farrell for Heffernan (47).
Navan O'Mahonys - Shane Flannery;Conor Cullen, Shane Crosby, Andrew Kenny; James Murphy, Jack Walsh, Ben McEntaggert; Patrick Leahy, Ciaran McGuinness; John Foley (0-2, 1f), Paddy Skehan (1-0 pen), Gavin Fox (0-2); Marcus Stapleton, Conor Fitzpatrick (0-1), Barry McEvoy (1-1). Subs - Michael Dineen for Crosby (49); Patrick Mooney for Murphy (49).
Referee - Killian Jones (Kilcock)
