This was a result not many would have predicted but Kilmessan are currently experiencing something of a renaissance in hurling having already taken the Brendan Davis Cup at the expense of last year’s  Senior champs, Kildalkey, and their under 21’s were victorious over Trim in last year’s under 21 Final.

In near perfect conditions, on a beautifully presented Pairc Tailteann, Trim started strongly and were 1-2 to the fore after only four minutes of play. The Trim goal came following a clever interception and delivery by corner back Danny Coleman who found Mikey Cole and whose perfect delivery was made to James Murray who struck a no nonsense screamer past the helpless Stephen Clynch in the Kilmessan goals.

By the midway point of the opening half Trim had eased into a comfortable lead of 1-7 to 0-4 and this could have been even greater had Mikey Cole’s goal bound effort not scraped the outside of the upright while the Kilmessan rearguard could only look on. All that was to change dramatically soon after when a long speculative Kilmessan effort looked to be going harmlessly wide only for persistent  corner forward, Eoin Harkin, guiding the lost cause past the stranded Trim net minder Eoin O’Reilly. 

Trim, however, regained their composure with three quick scores from David Murtagh, Conor Quigley, and James Andrews, but amazingly Kilmessan were to add another brace of goals and a pointed effort from centre forward Mark Horan had them on equal terms just before referee Kevin Brady sounded the half time whistle. 

Buoyed up by that explosive first half finish, Kilmessan were quicker out of the blocks and had three unanswered points by the fourth minute of the resumption. Once again, Trim responded and were soon on level terms from the successful efforts of James Murray (f), James Andrews, and Mikey Cole.

Another unlikely goal from Kilmessan’s Eoin Harkin following a pointed effort by Daire Horan left Kilmessan once again in the ascendancy and this trend continued to the end of the game with both sides trading another four points apiece.

Try as they might, the goal that Trim yearned never materialized thanks to the heroic efforts of Kilmessan net minder Stephen Clynch and his twenty fourth minute save from Mikey Cole’s goal bound effort might just have tipped the man of the match award in his favour.

Hopefully, this was a hard earned lesson for Trim and they will bounce back in the final match of the group, against St Peter’s, Dunboyne.