Toher leads Trim to the summit
"We did it for everyone up in the stand," said Trim captain James Toher after he accepted the Jubilee Cup on behalf of his team today.
Ahead 1-8 to 0-5 at the interval Trim stayed in front in the second-half to secure a 1-13 to 1-10 victory over Ratoath in the SHC final at Pairc Tailteann today.
The driving wind and rain made the underfoot conditions difficult for the players but that all that added rather than subtracted from the entertainment value.
Playing with the wind behind them in the opening half Trim took a big step towards ultimate victory on 17 minutes when James Andrews delivered the ball towards the Ratoath posts from out under the terrace side of the groung.
The slippery ball escaped the clutches of Ratoath netminder Gearoid Crowley and rolled into the net.
It was a blow Ratoath struggled to recover from but in truth they were finding it difficult to established themselves before that goal.
James Murray was named 'Man of the Match' and he contributed a massive 10 points to Trim's tally including two points from sideline cuts.
Ratoath worked had but couldn't make the breakthrough they needed until time was almost up when their topscorer Padraic O'Hanrahan fired to the net from a 20m free - but it was a classic case of too little, too late.
They just couldn't get another goal in the time that remained.
Roared on by their fans Trim stayed one step in front of their opponents throughout with Toher capping a fine display by accepting the trophy on behalf his colleagues and those delighted followers.
Captain Toher thanked a wide range of people for their part in the victory including manager Jimmy Canty and selectors Ciaran Joyce and David McGuinness.
The senior victory completed a great day for Trim as their minors also won the county final defeating Donaghmore/Ashbourne. It was Trim's fourth title at this grade in the last five years.
SCORERS IN SHC
Trim - James Murray 0-10 two sideline cuts, four frees, one '65'; James Andrews 1-0; Mikey Cole 0-1; Alan Douglas 0-1; Neil Heffernan 0-1.
Ratoath - Padraic O'Hanrahan 1-7 four frees, two '65s'; Cian Rogers 0-1; Gavin McGowan 0-1; Darragh Kelly 0-1.
SEE MATCH REPORTS, QUOTES AND JOHN QUIRKE'S PHOTOS FROM PAIRC TAILTEANN IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE