Reigning champions put to the sword by rampant Reds

SHC - David McGuinness's side start off with real statement of intent

Trim...1-20

Kildalkey...1-13

They mean business all right. Trim that is.

They showed in this SHC encounter at Pairc Tailteannn this evening that it will take a lot to stop them.

We suspected that, of course, but this was concrete, irrefutable evidence that they are by some distance the strong favourites to go all the way. That they are the team to beat in the championship. The standard bearers.

Combining hard graft, silky skills, composure, a steely resolve and some clinical finishing the Reds put the reigning champions to the sword and what was alarming for the rest of the pack was that they seemed to do it at times almost effortlessly. This was a real statement of intent.

They edged in front very early on and were in the driving seat at the break, 1-11 to 0-4. We waited for Kildalkey to mount a comeback they never showed enough to shift the balance of power.

Trim were much better than their subdued, under-performing opponents than the scoreline suggests - and they will get better, sharper, as the campaign proceeds.

They struck 16 wides and had a few shots well saved by Kildalkey's debutant goalkeeper Cameron Smyth who had a fine game. That in itself says a lot.

They also had a few efforts that fell short. When they sort out their radar they will chalk up even bigger scores against more vulnerable sides.

Nearly all the heroes for Kildalkey were in defence with the half-back line in particular of Martin Healy, David Harmon and Brin Kelly strong and resourceful - as they needed to be.

The full-back line of David Connelly, Brian Coffey and Brendan McKeon also stuck manfully to their duties as the Red wave descended on them, relentlessly, especially in that opening 30 minutes.

Seven Trim players got on the scoresheet with James Murray leading the way. His performance mirrored that of the team. He hit 10 points including a string of classy, quality scores from play and frees but he uncharacteristicially missed one or two frees also and fired a first-half penalty well wide. The talented young man, who has had his share of issues with injuries, is a vital part of the Trim set-up.

Another player who had a fine game was Mikey Cole. He lofted over three first-class scores and bagged his team's only goal. It arrived on 23 minutes. James Toher, imperious at the back, plucked the ball from the air, passed to Mark Molloy. He worked the ball to Cole who finished smartly. Earlier Cole had a great chance for a goal but was content to slot over. He was also denied by a smart Smyth save early on.

Darragh Heffernan, Josh Harris, Molloy, Joey Cole and Dimmy Higgins also made their presence felt with scores.

Kildalkey were lethargic in the opening half, at times outclassed. They upped their game considerably after the break and reduced their deficit to seven points but that was as closest as they came to matching their fit, sharp, motivated opponents.

Nicky Potterton was by some distance Kildalkey's leading marksman with 1-6, 1-5 of that from frees.

The Kildalkey goal was scored with the final puck of the game with Potterton driving the ball low to the net from a free. Luke Rickard, Brian O'Halloran, Paddy Barnwell also fashioned fine scores from play over the hour but there simply wasn't enough bite or menace in the Kildalkey attack to give themselves a foothold.

The defeat leaves Kildalkey manager Nick Fitzgerald and his team plenty to think about ahead of a tricky assignment against Kilmessan. Trim will fine tune their game and get better. No doubt.

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Danny Coleman, Gary Fleming, Ben Holden; Dimmy Higgins (0-1), James Toher, Conor Quigley; Joey Cole (0-1), Mark Molloy (0-1); David Murtagh, James Murray (0-10 five frees), Darragh Heffernan (0-2); Kyle Ennis, Josh Harris (0-2), Mikey Cole (1-3). Sub - Pa Ryan for K Ennis.

Kildalkey - Cam Smyth; David Conneely, Brian Coffey, Brendan McKeon (0-1); Martin Healy, David Harmon (0-1 free), Brin Kelly; Mark Healy, Brian O'Halloran (0-1); Luke Rickard (0-2), Paddy Conneely, Paddy Barnwell (0-2); Nicky Potterton (1-6 1-5 frees), Gary Kelly, Niall McNally.

Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna).

* In the opening game played at Pairc Tailteann today Longwood put in a very impressive performance defeating Blackhall Gaels 2-28 to 0-17 in the SHC. Anthony Healy and Karl Ennis found the net for Longwood who led 2-14 to 0-9 at the interval.

* Match reports, Match at a Glance and photos from both games in next issue of the Meath Chronicle.