Meath SHC Final

Trim 1-13 Rataoth 1-10

Trim overcame a gutsy Ratoath side, who are still in search of their first Meath SHC title since 1963.

Padraic O’Hanrahan’s late 21 yard free in additional time found the back of the net, but Charlie Ennis’s puck outs were on the money and Trim breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Ironically the winners were control of showpiece for the most part and the final scoreline is a misleading one.

James Murray will get the plaudits on the day for his ten point tally, however the wing forward whizzed over two sideline cuts, from both sides, into the road end in the first half that will live long in the memory.

Gavin McGowan levelled the tight opening quarter for Ratoath to make it 0-4 a piece but the game was about to swing dramatically.

James Andrews' fortuitous goal from a long drive that Ratoath goalkeeper Gearoid Crowley let slip midway through the half allowed Trim to take control.

Murray’s accuracy accounted for six of his side's first half tally as Trim led 1-8 to 0-5 at the break.

O’Hanrahan to his credit kept the scoreboard ticking to set up the tense finale but Trim would deservedly see captain James Toher to lift the Jubilee cup for the 28th time, now just one behind Kilmessan on the roll of honours list.

Scorers for Trim: James Murray 0-10, (5f, 2s/l, 1 ’65), James Andrews 1-0, Alan Douglas 0-1, Neil Heffernan 0-1, Mikey Cole 0-1.

Scorers for Ratoath: Padraic O’Hanrahan 1-7 (1-4 f, 2‘65s), Cian Rogers 0-1, Darragh Kelly 0-1, Gavin McGowan 0-1.

Trim: Charlie Ennis; Gerard Dwane, Dairmuid Higgins, Ben Holden; Ciaran O’Rourke, James Toher, Conor Quigley; Dylan Farrell, David Murtagh; James Murray, James Andrews, Mikey Cullen; Mikey Cole, Alan Douglas, Joey Cole.

Subs: Neil Heffernan for Cole (47), Brian Dowling for Cullen (51), Pa Ryan for Murtagh (59), Ian Birmingham for Andrews (60), Gary Fleming for Holden (60).

Ratoath: Gearoid Crowley; Cian Kelly, Domhnall Rogers, Conor McGill; Darragh Kelly, Ben McGowan, Conor Ward; Padraic O’Hanrahan, Niall McClarnon; Daithi McGowan, Jack McGowan, Padraic Byrne; Cian Rogers, Bobby O’Brien, Gavin McGowan.

Subs: Bryan McMahon for O’Brien (43).

Referee: Stephen Masterson (Kildalkey).