Trim win without James Toher

Trim produced a late surge in their SHC first round tie against Dunboyne at Páirc Tailteann tonight to record a 3-17 to 2-15 victory following a contest in which the teams were on level terms eight times.

Peter Farrell's goal on the hour was crucial as it gave Trim a 3-14 to 2-15 advantage and they had enough reserves to tack on points from Damien McGeee and Sean McGee and that got them over the line.

Trim deserved to win, although they had to soldier on without James Toher who watched from the sideline nursing an injry from his outing with the Meath footballers in the Leinster SFC against Louth last Sunday.

Toher remains on the doubtful list for the football semi-final against Kildare on Saturday week, but it was another noted footballer (and hurler) Alan Douglas who was the driving force behind this victory.

The sides shared four first-half goals with Stephen Moran and Michael Dunne finding the net for Dunboyne while Trim countered through Neil Heffernan and Mikey Cullen as they established a wind-assisted 2-7 to 2-6 interval advantage.

Alan Douglas and Damien McGee each sent over three points with Cullen also splitting the posts for the Trim men who wasted lots of chances in each half.

Sean Quigley (four), Sean Moran, before he departed due to injury, and Sean McGrath claimed the Dunboyne points with the only major difference between the teams reflected in the wide count.

Dunboyne finished the opening half with two while Trim tallied 10, but the wiiners improved their accuracy after the resumption.

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Ciaran O'Rourke, James Andrews, Colm McGrath; Dimmy Higgins, Ryan Andrews, Gerard Dwane; Alan Douglas (0-5), Sean McGee (0-2); Peter Farrell (1-0), Luke Moran, Damien McGee (0-4 two frees, one '65'); Mikey Cullen (1-1), Neil Heffernan (1-3), Aaron McGee (0-2 one free). Sub - Ciaran Joyce for Cullen 53 mins.

Dunboyne - Paul Gannon; Eoin Ryan, Alan Watters, Niall Watters; Fergal O'Neill, Jack Delaney, Michael O'Grady; Killian Smyth, Sean McGrath (0-3 one free); Sean Moran, Sean Quigley (0-7 two frees, two '65s'), Jack Cox (0-3); Stephen Moran (1-0), Michael Dunne (1-1), Darragh Gilmartin. Subs - Niall Smyth for Sean Moran 25 mins, Keith Doyle for N Smyth 45m, Conor Gilmartin for K Smyth 56m.

Referee - Marcus Quinn (Clann na nGael).