The management and team extend our sincere sympathies to team member Eoghan, to his brother Dylan and his mum Carol on the very sad passing of his father Paul Ryan
JM Food Services – Football League – Division 2 Round 11
Trim 2-09 St Vincent’s 0-11
An uncharacteristic hiccup last week saw Trim relinquish their top of league position to Moynalvey so, both pride and redemption were up for grabs as they lined out against St Vincent’s on Saturday evening. Although missing a number of key players, including intercounty stars Ciaran Caulfield & Aaron Lynch, Trim looked fit and ready as referee Stephen Creegan commenced proceedings.
Playing with a strong wind at their back, Trim set about their business with James Murray securing possession in midfield and launching the first attack of the day. With good movement between the half forwards of Davy Murtagh, Sean Fitzgerald and Daire Lynch, a high ball was launched towards goal that was met by the soaring Sean Foley who majestically caught and off-loaded to a waiting Brian Bolger who mercilessly rattled the back of the net. 3 minutes gone – game on.
On the kick out, possession was again secured by Trim and the ball moved patiently across the field with Fitzgerald and Lynch combining well. Corner forward Foley was prepared to come out the field to help, and in the 6th minute, demonstrated wonderful skill when getting hands on ball outside the 40-metre arc, and with the aid of a strong wind, swung the ball from right to left high over the bar to bag the first 2 pointer of the game. Minutes later, St Vincents managed to get the ball up the field where they secured a free that was well converted for their first score of the game. But neither Trim or Foley were in the mood for any lessening of intensity, when big Fitzgerald caught the ball in midfield and surged forward to deliver a razor-sharp pass to an unmarked Foley who hammered the visitor’s goal net to bring his personal tally to 1-02 with only 9 minutes gone. But not to be outdone, St Vincents attacked from their own kickout and moved the ball smartly through the midfield to strike a beautiful 2-pointer that showed that they were in no mood to be left behind in this game. A further attack by the visitors could have done more damage to Trim except for a great intercept by Conor McGinley who immediately released the midfielders who once again found Foley who jinked once and off loaded to Davy Murtagh who calmly slotted the ball over the bar. Back came St Vincent’s from the kick out to swiftly move the ball into their forward line where a very good move was only thwarted by the solid presence of Eoin O Reilly who stood firm in the Trim goal to block a good effort. Again, the Reds drove forward and again the ball finds its way to Foley who this time draws a free which he converted himself. With 16 minutes gone Trim lead by 2-04 to 3 points and things are beginning to look somewhat ominous for the visitors. But St Vincent’s were determined to stay in this game when, minutes later, they fisted over a point of their own from a well struck free kick into an annoyingly persistent wind.
On the kick out, Lynch, who was playing very well, released Kyle Ennis who weaved goalward only to be denied by some good St Vincent’s defending. But Trim weren’t to be denied for long, when in the 22nd minute Foley pounced once again to shoot a point from the most acute of angles.
Although a match played in good spirit, things got somewhat messy in the 27th minute when an amount of harmless pulling and dragging resulted in a yellow card for both sides and an unfortunate black card for Padraig Walsh for his late arrival into the fray.
The silent, half-time hooter saw both teams head to the dressing rooms to give St Vincent’s time to regroup before the game slipped away.
Half time: Trim 2-06 St Vincent’s 0-04
Trim, now playing into the strong wind were first off the mark in the second half when, once again, that man Foley struck on the 4th minute to deliver another point to keep the Trim scoreboard ticking over. Good ball management by Trim saw the half back line of O Reilly, Quigley and Sweeney coolly breaking up repeated attacks by the visitors until the 10-minute, black card clock ran down and Walsh strode back onto the pitch and immediately back into the fray. But things were now noticeably changing in the match. Although 9 points up, Trim were now battling the wind and a very spirited St Vincent’s team who repeatedly probed the Reds defence. On the 8th minute a well struck St Vincent’s free was awarded 2 points by the referee to help lessen the gap and give the visitors a very apparent injection of confidence. Both teams now matched up to one another with hard tackling and spirited attacking and counter attacking. But it were the visitors who started to get the rewards when, in the 15th minute, they struck a well taken point followed by a free some 3 minutes later. The gap was now down to 5 points with St Vincent’s playing very well with the wind at their back.
St Vincent’s turned the heat up further. A good 2-point free kick for the visitors brought the margin down to a mere 3 points – or a single kick of the ball. On the 25th minute more trouble for Trim when the black card was again flashed by the referee – this time to half back Sweeney, followed shortly after by another St Vincent’s point from a free kick.
With tension now high and the clocking running down Trim were working hard and covering every St Vincent’s attack. Finally, in the 33rd minute Kyle Ennis – who had given a good performance throughout – secured the ball in midfield and smoothly passed to substitute Ben Holden who was brought down for a free. The ever-reliable Foley strode up – slotted over – game over.
The referee gave the final score as a 4-point win for Trim.
Eoghan Ryan's performance as the Man of the Match in the No. 4 jersey was exceptional. He orchestrated plays and maintained a strong defensive line. He made crucial interceptions and delivered precise passes, setting up opportunities for his teammates. A well-deserved Man of the Match.
Without doubt, the wind played an important part in this game, with Trim moving from a position of comfort to one of pressure over the 60 minutes. But neither the players or the management on the sideline panicked – or indeed threw in the towel! They composed themselves, battled hard and managed out the final minutes of the game. This result was real proof of the character of the Trim team. Well done to Ken Robinson, the management team and the full panel.
St Vincent’s too should be proud of the battling spirit they displayed.
With Moynalvey slipping up elsewhere, Trim got the redemption they came for and now return to the top of the league. But there will be nothing easy from now on!
Semi – Final – Áth Troim v Simonstown – Wednesday 16th July @ 7.30pm Venue Áth Troim
Trim: E O Reilly; C McGinley; P Walsh; E Ryan; C O Reilly; C Quigley, E Sweeney; J Murray; A Donohoe; D Murtagh; D Lynch; S Fitzgerald; S Foley (1-05); B Bolger (1-00); K Ennis
Subs: D Dowling for A Donohoe; B Holden for C O Reilly; A Donohoe for J Murray
