Cole fired up for final bid

In the week leading up to the postponed 2020 SHC final the Meath Chronicle spoke to Trim manager Neil Cole about the challenge that lay ahead. His words then were as they are now - that it won't be easy against a talented Ratoath side in the final that will be eventually played tomorrow at Pairc Tailteann, 3.30.

The general feeling among observers of the local game, it seems, is that Ratoath will prove far too strong for the their opponents in red - and that, you suspect, suits Cole just fine.

Cole, who is in his fifth year as Trim's manager, knows it's a huge motivation for any group of players when they are written off before a big game.

There will be no need for him to make any fire and brimstone speeches before they leave the dressing room.

Motivation won't be an issue.

"We will be underdogs, but we are not going to Pairc Tailteann for the view or the chance to play on the pitch," he said with a note of defiance, that also doubles as something of a warning.

Yet he knows too Ratoath carry the tag of favourites for a very good reason.

Ratoath hit new heights in 2020 in terms of consistency, crushing all before them as they progressed to the final.

Cole particularly sees danger in Ratoath's powerful attack.

"Players like Gavin McGowan, Cian Rogers, Daithi McGowan, they can score from just about anywhere on the pitch, they are very athletic.

"They are red-hot favourites by right and we'll have it all to do."

Cole knows his team didn't perform against Kildalkey in the thrilling semi-final; that they were fortunate to get two late, late goals and snatch victory from the gaping jaws of defeat.

Yet there were aspects of that semi-final comeback that gives him hope they can overcome the odds and the forecasters who are predictimg their demise.

"I suppose the only positive point out of the semi-final for us is that the lads kept working, they didn't give up.

"That really showed in the final few minutes when we emptied the bench and threw everything at Kildalke.

“We were lucky and we got the rub of the green.

"If you have that fighting spirit you always have a chance.

"We went out with a plan against Kildalkey and to be honest it didn't work for us, not in the way we had hoped.

"We tried to alter things and in hindsight we would have played very differently, but hindsight is a great thing."

Another great source of motivation for Cole and his team is that they lost to Kiltale in the SHC final in 2018.

While a sizeable number of young players have been introduced into the squad since, many of the players involved in that defeat are still around.

"They won't want to leave another final behind them," he added with a tone that suggests Ratoath should be wary, hot favourites or not.