MINOR HURLING PHOTO FOCUS - Trim v Kilmessan
Trim coasted to a comfortable 9-13 to 0-8 first round MFL victory against Kilmessan st St Loman's Park on Saturday.
Fielding seven of the team that had won the Meath MHC title last year Trim dominated from the off with some of the successful u-16 team from 2018 adding considerable flair and style to the well drilled outfit.
James Murray was the star of the show on Saturday as he finished with a personal tally of 2-9.
Seven players got on the scoresheet for Trim in contrast to Kilmessan who had to rely on Luke Horan who claimedall his side's points.
Murray opened his account within a minute of the start and almost immediately Conor McKeown had the ball in the net as Trim set the tone early.
Two more points from Murray extended Trim's early advantage, but Kilmessan were lively and did cause plenty of trouble which needed excellent defending from Evan deCourcey-Tobin and Adam Boyle to keep them at bay.
Sean Foley added a second goal for the hosts and by the time Kilmessan got off the mark with a Horan point Trim already had 2-3 on the board.
Trim's third goal was of the fortunate variety as Murray's '65' deceived everyone and dropped to the net.
Kilmessan replied with their second point, but Murray followed with two pointed '65s' before a Josh Harris goal ensured a 4-7 to 0-3 interval lead.
Murray bagged his second goal after the resumption and within two minutes Sean Foley coasted through for Trim's sixth goal.
Sean Foley and Murray traded scores with Horan before Kilmessan held Trim scoreless for 10 minutes during which Horan added some good points.
However, Murray got Trim rolling again with a fine point from a sideline and goals from Oisin Hackett (two) and James Foley added further gloss to Trim's already sparking performance.
Trim - Calum Buckley; Evan de Courcey-Tobin, Adam Boyle, Harry Cottrell; Conor McGinley, Gary Fleming, Alan Costello; Daniel Coleman, Joey Cole (0-2); Conor McKeown (1-0), James Murray (2-9), Oisin Hackett (2-1); Andrew Gibney, Josh Harris (1-0), Sean Foley (2-1). Subs - James Foley (1-0), Ian Byrne, Sean Halton.
Kilmessan - Paddy Wright; David King, Cathal Horan, James Cahill; Dillon Swan, Kristofer Gorman, David Hackett; Kyle Smith, Shane Kennedy; Cian Maguire, Scott Armstrong, Luke Horan (0-8); Jack Cottrell, James Greene, Harry McCann. Sub - Eoin Brady, Kyle Holden.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS
MHL
Div 1A
Ratoath 8-23, Rathmolyon 3-4;
Killyon/Longwood 1-19, Kildalkey 0-10.
Div 1B
Trim 9-13, Kilmessan 0-8.
Div 2B
Kiltale 4-13, Boardsmill 0-2
NEXT UP
SATURDAY 23rd FEBRUARY
MHL Div 1A,
Venue: Ratoath, (Round 2)Ratoath V Killyon/Longwood 12:00
Venue: Kildalkey, (Round 2), Kildalkey V Rathmolyon 12:00
MHL Div 1B,
Venue: Kilmessan, (Round 2), Kilmessan V St Peter's, Dunboyne 12:00
MHL Div 2A,
Venue: Dunderry, (Round 2), Dunderry V Na Fianna CLG 14:45
SUNDAY 24th FEBRUARY
MHL Div 2B,
Venue: Kiltale, (Round 2), Kiltale V Clann na nGael 12:00,