IFC: Bective dig deep to stun Trim
Bective pulled off a big surprise by beating Trim in this second round Intermediate championship encounter in sunny Sean Newman Park in Bohermeen. Trailing by 8 points 5 minutes into the second half only the most optimistic Bective supporter would have given them any chance of a victory but the men on the field thought different and in true championship style, bagged 3 more goals to outscore Trim in the second half by 10 points and claim a 2 point win. Trim laid out their stall from the first whistle and fired in early ball which brought a superb defending block from midfielder Ciaran Mc Connell to avert a certain goal. Aaron Lynch slotted over the resulting forty-five and Trim added a further point on 3 minutes. Paul Mc Cabe opened the scoring for Bective with a fine point on 4 minutes but Trim, playing direct ball to their lethal full forward duo of Alan Douglas and Lynch, fired over 2 points and added one from a free kick. But Bective, with some key players out through injury, were up for the challenge and Mc Cabe pointed a free kick after Cathal Mc Connell was fouled and a great carry from Marty Mulhall placed Mark O’Brien for a Bective goal on 13 minutes. However the threat from Trim was ever present and they blasted two goals in 3 minutes and rocked the Bective belief. It could have got worse but Ciaran Breslin brought off a great save at the expense of a further pointed forty-five. Mark Dowdall fired over on 25 minutes and was quickly followed by one from O’Brien and by a well taken point from Mulhall. Trim keeper, not to be out shone, stopped a close in effort from Sean Keating and Bective were guilty of some rash shooting, before Paul McCabe pointed from play. Again Trim struck with a major after a defensive slip on 29 minutes to leave the half time score at Trim 3 – 6, Bective 1 – 6.
Trim restarted the second half with a new resolve and fired 2 points inside the first 2 minutes. Mc Connell took on the Trim defence and only a sliding footblock kept a goal out but it was deemed a penalty which Keating coolly slotted on 4 minutes. Trim restored a 7 point lead with 2 points before Mulhall pointed on 10 minutes. Bright daylight and good underfoot conditions inspired many fine catches in the midfield area from both sides. Mc Connell again stretched the Trim defence and slipped to Keating to fire to the net and this was game-on. Trim, now with James Toher gathering a lot of ball, carried forward and pointed from play. Bective enlisted Donagh Garvey and Kevin Brennan into defence and supported by their midfield and wing forwards were closing down the Trim attacks. A long hopeful ball produced a Keating forward’s nudge that released Mulhall to sidefoot to the net on 16 minutes. Bective, now level, increased the intensity and a McCabe free puts them one up. Mulhall was now at his best and carried the ball before been taken down. Mc Connell pointed the resulting free kick and Bective were two ahead with 5 minutes of normal time remaining. Frenzied play up and down the field with some hasty shooting and gifted turnovers added to the excitement of a fine crowd. Colm Barry came in at corner back for Bective. Trim converted a close in free kick to put one between the sides on 30 minutes but Mulhall had the final say with a point from play on 31 minutes and Bective with a fine team performance held out for a memorable victory. Bective 4 – 10, Trim 3 – 11.
Bective Team: Ciaran Breslin, Ben Malone, Mark Usher, Dara Maguire, Colin O’Rourke, Jack Grant,Craig Roche, Ciaran Mc Connell, Paul Lyness, Mark O’Brien, Cathal Mc Connell, Mark Dowdall, Paul McCabe, Marty Mulhall, and Sean Keating.
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