IFC semi final: Impressive Trim topple Oldcastle

TRIM 2-12  OLDCASTLE 0-9

(Report below from www.hoganstand.com/meath

THERE was much to admire about Trim as they produced an impressive display to easily see off the challenge of Oldcastle in the second of the IFC semi-finals at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

Trim made light of the difficult conditions with fast flowing football for most of the hour and they had their place in the decider, and a clash with Nobber, booked long before the final whistle.

Unlike Oldcastle, who only managed two points for play for the hour from Colin Hawdon, Trim scored freely throughout with corner forward Aaron Lynch excelling and ending with a tally of 1-7.

The Trim men produced an almost flawless display throughout the opening half at the end of which they led 1-8 to 0-2 at the break.

With Rob Bourke and Conor Quigley controlling the midfield exchanges it allowed the Trim attack get a plentiful supply and both Lynch and Alan Douglas tormented the Oldcastle rearguard.

Lynch accounted for four points in that opening half, including two from frees, while Douglas hit a brace.

There was also two points for centre back James Toher (one ’45) and the former county player was rock solid in defence.

The Trim goal from Brian Dowling was a somewhat fortuitous one as Lynch’s attempt for a point was dropping short until the inrushing Dowling got a vital touch to leave his side leading 1-7 to 0-1 on 27 minutes.

Little went right for Oldcastle in that first half hour with both their points coming from Robbie Farrelly frees on nine minutes and first half added time. They lost Ronan Maguire to an injury after just 11 minutes and then CJ Healy hobbled out of the action on the stroke of half-time.

The Oldcastle performance improved marginally in the third quarter but scoring continued to be problematic. Hawdon had their opening point from play on 34 minutes before Lee Healy was presented with a goal opportunity but he rushed his effort and it went well wide of the target. 

The margin was down to six points in the third quarter but that was as good as it got for Oldcastle.

A defensive mistake handed possession to Daire Lynch and he fed his brother Aaron who produced a calm finish to the net on 44 minutes. 

Lynch accounted for his side’s entire second half tally apart from one point scored by Alan Douglas.

TRIM – Barry O’Callaghan; Cian Downes, Gerard Dwane, Declan Dowling; Darrel Phelan, James Toher 0-2 (1 ’45), Paul Munnelly; Rob Bourke, Conor Quigley; Ciaran O’Rourke, James Cullen, Daire Lynch; Brian Dowling 1-0, Alan Douglas 0-3, Aaron Lynch 1-7 (4fs). Subs – Diarmuid Higgins for O’Rourke (48), Eoin O’Connor for D Lynch (49), Sean Fitzpatrick for Bourke (53), Ciaran Joyce for Cullen (55), Luke Moran for Munnelly (56).

OLDCASTLE – Packie Kevin; Sean Maxwell, Cian McPartland, Oran O’Reilly; Darren Hawdon, Stephen Lawless, Dylan Garrigan; Paddy Rahill, Gerard Reidy; Ronan Maguire, Paddy Gilsenan, Colin Hawdon 0-2; CJ Healy, Jason Scully, Robbie Farrelly 0-7fs. Subs: Lee Healy for Maguire (11), Rory McHugh for C J Healy (30), Stephen Tierney for L Healy (43), Keith Connell for Rahill, Niall Mangan for Gilsenan (both 53), Oran Mulvany for McHugh (56).

Referee – Patrick Coyle (Curraha)

Report