Published: Wednesday, 31st March, 2010 5:00pm

Late free seals dramatic victory for stylish Trim

Trim 1-12 Killyon/Boardsmill 1-11

Adam Flanagan of Killyon / Boardsmill and Kieran Connor of Trim tussle for possession during Sunday's MHC decider at Pairc Tailteann.

There was drama all the way as Trim claimed their first MHC title since 1984 when they defeated Killyon/Boardsmill at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

It has been a long time in the wilderness for the club at this level and they certainly left it late before they bagged this title with Damien McGee firing the ball between the posts from a last-gasp free to give them their narrow win.

There was almost four minutes of injury-time played when Trim won a free around midfield. Up stepped McGee who had the wind as an ally. He lifted and struck the sliotar with the required amount of power and direction to take it the distance with a few yards to spare. It was the most dramatic way to finish off a game that was packed with craft and commitment from both sides. Killyon/Boardsmill had hardly enough time to puck the ball out before referee Richard Morris blew the final whistle.

That was the cue for the distraught Killyon/Boardsmill players to throw their helmets and sticks down in disgust and for their counterparts to engage in a huge celebratory scrum in the middle of the pitch.

The defeat must have been pretty galling for the Killyon players especially as their club suffered defeats in minor finals in recent years before amalgamating with Boardsmill.

All those involved with Trim will be hoping that this is another step towards taking the club back to centre stage. They won a MHC B title last year and under manager John Andrews, they did the business at the higher level this time around.

"We had the choice to go to A or B this year. We wanted to go to A, we felt we were good enough to win it," Andrews told the Meath Chronicle.

"That was a fabulous game of hurling, great to be involved in it, I thought our lads dug very deep near the end when things were going against them.

"That's a great day for Trim hurling, a proud day. That lads out there today showed great character."

The Trim players have trained since early January and they certainly needed a deep reservoir of fitness to subdue the spirited challenge from Killyon/Boardsmill.

The opening half was an indication of the drama that was to come as the teams exchanged a series of scores. They were level four times before Killyon/Boardsmill forged ahead with the help of the breeze by 1-9 to 1-7 at the break. The Killyon/Boardsmill goal scored by Adam Gannon who cooly slotted home after four minutes.

Trim's cause was greatly helped by a dream start when they scored 1-1 without reply, the goal coming after just three minutes. Killyon/Boardsmill goalkeeper Evan Dixon won the ball close to his own goal-line. As he attempted to clear Trim's Shane Lenihan flicked the ball away. It broke to Garret White who knocked the sliotar to the net while still lying on the ground.

Damien McGee slotted over three points while James Andrews, Sean McGee and Kieran Connor also contributed to Trim's interval advantage.

Most observers would have expected Trim to push on and quickly wipe out the interval deficit. Instead they struggled to impose themselves on the game as Killyon/Boardsmill battled against the elements.

Damien McGee was the only Trim player to get on the scoresheet in the second-half, he notched five points, three frees including the most crucial of all.

It wasn't until the 46th minute that Trim hauled themselves level and only in the closing stages did they edge ahead.

The Trim side had plenty of heft and height in their team with James Toher, Connor, Sean McGee and Damien McGee among those who harvested good possession from around the midfield area.

Killyon/Boardsmill had plenty of possession, but they just lacked a cutting edge in front of goals to take full advantage. Niall Weir and Ger Foley worked hard in midfield while their defence proved sturdy.

The bulk of the Killyon/Boardsmill scores came from corner-forward Vivian Dwyer who scored five of his six points from frees, but also caused considerable consternation everytime he won possession.

Josh Ryan, Conor Darby and Ger Foley were others who stepped forward to split the posts. The Killyon/Boardsmill combination lacked for nothing when it came to effort and desire.

Extra-time looked a certainty until that free was conceded, Damien McGee took full advantage.

Trim - Paul Melia; Shane Downes, Dermot Whelan, Ciaran O'Rourke; James Andrews (0-1), David Foley, Aaron Winters; Ryan Andrews, Damien McGee (0-8); Sean McGee (0-1), James Toher, Kieran Connor (0-2); Garrett White, Colm McGrath, Shane Lenihan. Subs - D Melia for White, White for Lenihan.

Killyon/Boardsmill - Evan Dixon; Jason Dowdall, Adam Flanagan, Conor Darby (0-1); Shane Farrell, Thomas Raleigh, Jason Maguire; Niall Weir, Ger Foley (0-1); Josh Ryan (0-1), Jim Bird, Adam Farrell; Vivian Dwyer (0-6), Adam Gannon (1-2), Fergal Flattery. Subs - Donal Flattery for Ryan, Stefan Kelly for Maguire.

Referee - Richard Morris (Blackhall Gaels).