Fielding a number of players with SHC-title winning experience Trim proved too good for Clann na nGael in the U21 HC final at Dunganny early on Sunday afternoon

Trim ................. 1-20
Clann na nGael ....... 1-13

Trim led for most of the way, apart from a brief spell in the second quarter. They led by eight points early in the second-half before a rally lifted hopes that the Athboy-Clann na nGael contingent might bring the Sean Carrigy Cup to his home ground. Photos

Trim felt that some of the referee's decisions were harsh on them, but they had the wherewithal to produce 21 scores from seven different players with five registering more than one.

Joe Ennis led the scoring charge for Clann na nGael his goal from a free, about 25 metres out, left his side just 1-12 to 1-14 in arrears in the 45th minute. Just before the water break a James Murray point steadied Trim. The latter came to fore in the latter stages to put some breathing space between his team and their neighbours.

Ennis finished with all but two of his side's scores and his opportunistic goal from a free in the 45th minute brought Clann na nGael to within two points of the eventual winners.

As often happens this mini interval breaks the stride of the team with momentum and allows the other team to regroup.

Trim reasserted themselves in the final quarter, outscoring Clann na nGael by 0-5 to 0-1. An Ennis free was all the team in green and gold mustered from the second water break to the finish

In Joey Cole's absence, James Murray took to the free-taking and three points to his tally in the latter stages. Sub Kevin Lennon also got off the mark.

Trim posted four wides in the latter stages, but persisted to take the title.with a bit to spare. Corner forward Andy Dynan deserves a mention for his work rate to go along with three points from play.

SHC-winner Ian Bermingham dropped deep in the latter stages and won vital possession for Trim. Sub Conor McKeown had a significant impact. That strength in depth was  also crucial to the outcome. 

But for tenacious Clann na nGael defending, Trim might have won by a wider margin. With his goalkeeper stranded, full-back Martin Keogh did well to deny Mikey Cole a goal in the third quarter. 

The team were tied five times in the opening half with Clann na nGael hitting the front for the only time through Eoin Fitzsimons' 19th minute point, 0-7 to 0-6.

Trim's reply was to outscore the Athboy-An Gaeltacht side by 1-5 to 0-1 from there to half-time. Josh Harris' 26th minute goal was central to this flourish. It was only confirmed following consultation among the officials.

Trim led by 1-11 to 0-8 at half-time. A Joey Cole free was the first score of the second-half before Clann na nGael enjoyed their best spell of the final. Once again the team in red and white responded positively for a deserved triumph.

Scorers: Trim - James Murray 0-7 (2fs); Josh Harris 1-2; Joey Cole 0-4 (1f, 1 65); Andy Dynan 0-3; Conor McKeown 0-2; Dylan Farrell, Kevin Lennon 0-1 each. 
Clann na nGael - Joe Ennis 1-11 (fs); Diarmaid O Donnchadha, Eoin Fitzsimons 0-1 each.

Trim - Caolan Buckley; Andy Gibney, Harry Cotterill, Ben Holden; Gary Fleming, Conor Quigley (c), Danny Coleman; Dylan Farrell, Oisin Haskell; Joey Cole (c), James Murray,.Ian Bermingham; Mikey Cole, Josh Harris, Andy Dynan. Subs - Conor McKeown for Haskell (19), Cian Lee for Gibney (40), Kevin Lennon for J Cole (48).

Clann na nGael - Eoin Griffin; Jack Murray, Martin Keogh, Cian Harnan; Eugene O'Reilly, Cian Swain, Evan Cole; Diarmaid O Donnchadh, Sean Og Tiernan; Callum O'Sullivan (c), Johnny Farrell, Eoin Fitzsimons; Joe Ennis, Josh McGrath, Niall O'Reilly.  Sub - Darragh Swain for Murray (30). 

Referee - Niall Burke (Na Fianna)

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