Toher points Trim into semis

James Toher emerged as the hero for Trim with an injury-time pointed free for a 0-17 to 1-13 SHC quarter-final victory over Ratoath at Pairc Tailteann this evening.

Trim's ability to survive under pressure ultimately saw them through to a semi-final next weekend against Kiltale while Ratoath will rue a number of squandered goal chances in each half.

Bryan McMahon's goal was the crucial score in the opening half as Ratoath took a 1-9 to 0-11 lead to the dressing room at half-time following an absorbing first-half during which the teams were level on five occasions.

McMahon also sent over five points, but crucially was denied a goal chance after only 30 seconds when he was the victim of a yellw-card-style tackle by Trim's James Toher for what must surely have been the quickest card of the championship so far.

Ratoath also fluffed at least two more goal chances as Padraig O'Hanrahan (two frees), Jack and Gavin McGowan sent over points.

Trim were ahead briefly early in the half and again after 20 minutes, but required a late flourish to reduce the interval deficit to the minimum.

Brian Dowling sent over five (three frees) points while a brace apiece from Alan Douglas and Ian Bermingham were augmented by one each from Conor Quigley and Neil Heffernan.

Ratoath forged into a 1-13 to 0-12 lead by the three-quarter stage with O'Hanrahan, McMahon, Gavin McGowan  and Cian Rogers on target, but didn't score again.

Trim stayed in touch with Dowling (two), Bermingham (two) and Douglas on target before Toher's late  intervention with a long-range winning point

In the other quarter-final Longwood defeated Na Fianna by 2-15 to 2-8 at Trim.