No stopping Kilmessan's bid for another title?

How do you defeat Kilmessan? It's going on close to two years now since they last felt the sting of defeat in a local championship match. Various teams have sought to out-fox them. Some have used the physical approach, some have looked to out-hurl them. So far this year no antidote has been found to their powerful cocktail of contained aggression, steely determination and silky skills. Trim were the latest to try and derail them when they sides met in the SHC at Ratoath on Wednesday evening of last week. Inspired by an exhibition of marvellous free-taking from Joey Toole that even Kilmessan would find hard to match, the Trim side put it up to the reigning champions. Toole bagged 14 points, 11 frees, one from a textbook sideline cut, the other two sweetly struck over from play. He also did what few have done so far this year and subdued Stephen Clynch. Trim shook Kilmessan's cage, they just couldn't manage to bring their house down. The Trim supporters left Ratoath encouraged with what they saw and with good reason. With a little more sharpness, a few lucky breaks and a better start, Trim could have pulled off a shock here. Instead they shipped their second defeat in the championship and now they face tricky assignment against Rathmoylon in the last game in what is a do or die encounter for both. Kilmessan are, of course already through to the knock-out phase and there is a sense that they have greater ambitions than just bagging another SHC title. Martin Curran's side felt they should have at least got to the All-Ireland Club IHC final last year. They would love another crack at it. There were further signs in this match of the combination of factors that make Kilmessan the best team around. There was the resolute defending, the high standard of ball regularly fed into the forwards and the ability of players to take their scores. Six Kilmessan players got on the scoresheet. Nicky Horan led the way with six points while Joey Keena, Kevin Keena, Danny Maguire and Clynch all clipped over first-rate points. Then there was Ger O'Neill who started from midfield and regularly drifted into space unmarked. He did that on 50 minutes. Clynch hit the ball forward from deep inside his own half and there was O'Neill about 20 metres out, completely unmarked and in acres of space. He didn't need a second invitation to shoot to the net. That goal came when Trim had reduced the deficit to just two points. Every time real trouble loomed Kilmessan always looked capable of finding a little extra. Toole's superb contribution added to scores from Michael Lowther, Niall Murray and Tommy Farrell were some of the highlights for a battling Trim side. Benny Keogh, David McGuinness and Gay Kennedy stood out for them. However, Kilmessan showed once again they are the masters of all they survey. Kilmessan - M Brennan; P McGovern, D Donnelly, C Keena; M Horan, S Clynch (0-1), R Donnelly; P Farrell, G O'Neill (1-1); N Horan (0-6), P Reynolds, J Keena (0-3); M Doyle, K Keena (0-3), D Maguire (0-2). Subs - M Reilly for Doyle. Trim - B Carley; K Higgins, J Canty, B Keogh; C Joyce, G Kennedy, D McGuinness; C Doyle, A Douglas; M Lowther (0-1), J Toole (0-14), P Gilsenan; D McGee, N Murray (0-1), N Heffernan. Sub - T Farrell (0-1) for McGee. Referee - Arthur Reilly (Boardsmill).