Trim 3-10; St Colmcilles 3-13

Trim hosted St Colmcilles in the 1st round of this year's Championship.

The visitors, playing with the aid of a stiff breeze were quickly out of the blocks with an early point from Ciaran White, followed by 1-2 from star forward David Bell.
The home side regained their composure and showed great resilience in running at the heart of the 'Cilles defence. Their persistence paid off handsomely when 'Cilles were penalised twice in quick succession.

 Gary Fleming was shouldered with the burden of facing the opposition 'keeper and his first attempt, in the 9th minute, was delivered with some authority to the roof of the net. Four minutes later he found himself in the same position and this time he rolled a delightful ball to the opposite corner. In between, David Bell helped himself  to a pointed free before Luke Hanan got himself on the scoresheet to leave 2 points between the sides.

Trim were now gaining in confidence and produced some brilliant team work showing great strength in defence, dominance in midfield, and powerful attacking. Their efforts, however, fell somewhat short as they failed to take advantage of their many scoring chances. James Murray reduced the deficit to the minimum, while a pointed free before David Bell, once again, restored the 'Cilles advantage.

Mark Dempsey's persistence finally paid off with a well taken point in the 27th minute and there was a growing feeling that if Trim could hold on until half time, they were in with a great chance on the change over. However, it was St Colmcilles who finished out the half best with points from the evergreen Bell and the bustling Endy Ehichoya.

Half Time: Trim 2-2; St Colmcilles 1-8

Trim made a flying start to the second half and Ciaran Caulfield had the first score within 10 seconds of the resumption following a fine solo effort, and when Sean Foley pointed in the second minute, for the home side, it was game on.
Luke Hanan got his second point for the visitors before the Trim defence was split open and Adam Daly palmed to the net at the far post.

David Bell helped himself to another point while Sean Foley pointed from a free for the home side. The big lesson that was emerging from this game was to take your chances when they're presented to you and, in that regard, David Bell is an expert exponent. Some fine defence work by both Josh Harris and Danny Coleman thwarted many efforts by Bell but, working on his percentages, he still managed to rack up an impressive tally and he was to score another three points to give him an overall total of 1-9 (3f).

Cilles were somewhat fortunate in the 16th minute when Ciaran White was first to react to a rebound in the Trim defence and found the back of the net. Gary Fleming had a fine pointed effort from a '45 in the seventeenth minute and James Murray split the 'Cilles posts a minute later. Murray had a pointed free in the 24th minute to cancel out a Bell score shortly before.

When Bell had his final point in the 27th minute, giving his side an eight point advantage, it looked like the game was playing out to an inevitable conclusion.
However, Trim showed great spirit, that, hopefully, they will carry throughout the Championship, and were rewarded by 1-2 in the dying minutes with scores from James Murray (1f), James Foley, and a Sean Foley goal which squeezed through a crowded goalmouth. The final whistle came much to the relief of the visitors. 

Trim scorers: Gary Fleming(2-1), James Murray (0-4, 3f), Mark Dempsey (0-1), Ciaran Caulfield (0-1), Sean Foley (1-2, 1f), James Foley (0-1)   

St Colmcilles scorers: David Bell (1-9, 3f), Ciaran White (1-1), Luke Hanan (0-2), Endy Ehichoya (0-1), Adam Daly (1-0)

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