Trim survive late siege for a welcome title success

Trim claimed the Junior B FC title for the fourth time when they survived a stern Moynalty test in the 2010 decider at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. Goals made the difference as Trim managed one in each half while Moynalty were denied by the woodwork and a smart save by Tosh Barry. Moynalty were also the authors of their own demise with a tally of 14 wides, seven in each half and they will be well aware that if they had converted even a small number of those chances that they would have brought the silverware back to the north Meath village. Understandably, for the fourth grade of football, the standard was not of the highest quality. However, both teams compensated for any deficiencies on that front with tremendous commitment which kept the sizeable crowd well entertained for the hour. Nine minutes had elapsed and the teams had shared six wides before Stephen Blackburn opened the scoring for Moynalty with a well-taken point from play. Trim found the perfect response scarcely a minute later when Paul Campbell capitalised on a defensive error by Moynalty's Paul Farrelly for a goal. Campbell raced clear and unleashed a fierce drive which David Murtagh did well to parry. However, Campbell followed up expertly on the rebound and finished to the net from a tight angle. Trim were unable to build on that and added another five wides as Moynalty got back on terms through a Blackburn free and a fine Christy Cahill effort by the 20th minute. Moynalty created some good chances for the remainder of the half and took a 0-5 to 1-1 lead to the dressing room after Cahill and Bob Maguire were on target. Trim managed their first point of the half in the 27th minute when substitute Sean Murphy, who replaced Andrew O'Brien, converted a free with his first touch. Trim made a perfect start to the second-half when John Quinn finished to the net after only 30 seconds as the Moynalty rearguard dozed. That score sustained Trim as Moynalty took over the mantle of 'king of the wides' and managed only one point in the third-quarter. That came from corner back Sean Lynch in the 10th minute. They were also denied goals when Cahill rifled a shot off the crossbar and Maguire was denied when Barry produced a superb save. Trim lifted the siege with points from Mark Gilsenan (two) and Jimmy Canty before Maguire cranked up the Moynalty challenge from a pointed free with five minutes remaining. By that stage Moynalty had amassed 14 wides, but their never-say-die attitude kept them going and Maguire popped over another free which reduced the deficit to two points (0-8 to 2-4). Maguire reduced the deficit to the minimum from a free before the end of normal time, but Moynalty were unable to muster another score and now face the prospects of another year in the backwaters of the Junior B championship. Trim - T Barry; C O'Flaherty, D Foley, E Kelly; R Andrews, G Kennedy, S Moriarty; J Quinn (1-0), S Doyle; D McGee, J Canty (0-1), P Campbell (1-0); D Higgins, M Gilsenan (0-2 one free), A O'Brien. Subs - S Murphy (0-1 free) for O'Brien 26 mins; E Dunne for Moriarty half-time; S McDonagh for McGee 43m; E Reilly for Canty 58m. Moynalty - D Murtagh; P Sheridan, P Farrelly, S Lynch (0-1); A Lynch, D Lynch, D Kangley; P Tormay, C O'Loughlin; C Cahill (0-2), S Blackburn (0-2 one free), A Brogan; P Lynch, R Tormay, B Maguire (0-4 three frees). Subs - O Sheridan for Brogan 39 mins; J Curley for P Lynch 50m. Referee - Frank Gallogly (Dunshaughlin).