Trim edge out Longwood on points

Trim survived the concession of three goals to book their place in the SHC semi-finals with a 0-24 to 3-10 victory over Longwood at Pairc Tailteann this afternoon.

Goals from placed balls from Damien Healy gave Longwood hope in a game that looked to be getting away from them, but ultimately Trim were more clinical in front of the posts and were too strong for their opponents.

Trim looked to be coasting into the semi-finals as they led by 0-13 to 0-4 in the 30th minute, but Damien Healy gave his side hope before the break with a fierce drive from a 20-metre free that rifled to the net.

Turning with the wind at their backs Longwood piled on the pressure and managed to close the deficit to four points within five minutes of the restart with Anthony Healy bagging a second goal.

Those goals sustained Longwood, but Trim's response was impressive. After every goal they clipped over a couple of points to keep their opposition at arms length.

Even when Damien Healy blasted his second goal, Longwood's third, from another 20 metre free to close the gap to the minimum in the 56th minute, Trim replied with the next three points to assume control.

The scoring reflects Trim's dominance.

Trim scored 24 times to Longwood's 13. Trim had eight scorers, Longwood had five. Trim notched 0-21 from play, Longwood hit 1-5.

Trim started well and used the wind to good effect with points from Mark Molloy, James Andrews and Brian Dowling in a 45-second spell giving them a 0-3 to 0-0 lead inside four minutes.

Longwood proved they were a threat with excellent replies from the outstanding duo of Sean Coloe and Mickey Burke, but with Alan Douglas also in fine form Trim replied with Douglas converting a 72-metre free.

Damien Healy responded with his sole score from play as Trim hit points either side of the water break from James Murray (two, one from over 85 metres), Douglas and Dowling to lead by 0-8 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.

Longwood ended a 10 minute barren spell with an Anthony Healy free, but again Trim replied in style with Douglas (two), Ian Bermingham, Molloy and Mikey Cole extending their lead to 0-13 to 0-4.

In danger of getting cut adrift Damien Healy rifled his first goal from a 20-mtre free, but again Trim responded with points from an outstanding sideline cut from Murray and a fine score from play for Cole ensuring a 0-15 to 1-4 interval lead.

Assisted by the wind Longwood launched a recovery mission and after Anthony Healy (free) and Dowling traded points they closed to within four when Anthony Healy took advantage of a defensive mix-up to fire a fine goal and then he added a point to make it 2-6 to 0-16.

Trim hit back with two points from Cole, but Longwood closed to within four again with Ryan Moore and Anthony Healy (free from 10 metres inside his own 65) on target,

Douglas with a free from midfield and an excellent score from play extended Trim's lead to 0-20 to 2-8, but again Longwood ensured they kept their opponents honest with two frees from Anthony Healy.

Damien Healy's second goal from a 20-metre free in the 56th minute made 3-10 to 0-20, but senesing danger Trim pulled away again with Neil Heffernan clipping over two excellent scores either side of a Molloy score.

Moore and Anthony Healy (free) closed to within two points in the fifth minute of injury-time, but again Trim responded with a James Andrews point and they held on as Damien Healy's late free was cleared.

Longwood were clearly frustrated with the defeat and their manager Ryan O'Dwyer was sent-off after the final whistle. They will now face Dunboyne or Na Fianna in the SHC quarter-final while Trim will take on the winners of Kilmessan and Kildalkey in the semi-final.

SCORERS

Trim – Alan Douglas 0-6 two frees; Mikey Cole 0-4; Mark Molloy 0-3; Brian Dowling 0-3; James Murray 0-3 one sideline; James Andrews 0-2; Neil Heffernan 0-2; Ian Bermingham 0-1.

Longwood – Anthony Healy 1-7 seven frees; Damien Healy 2-1 2-0 frees; Ryan Moore 0-2; Sean Coloe 0-1; Mickey Burke 0-1.

TEAMS

Trim – Brian O'Dwyer; Ben Holden, Ryan Andrews, Ger Dwane; Dimi Higgins, Conor Quigley, Sean Magee; Mark Molloy, Dylan Farrell; James andrews, James Murray, Alan Douglas; Ian Bermingham, Brian Dowling, Mikey Cole. Subs – Ciaran Joyce for Bermingham 40 mins, Neil Heffernan for Murray, Luke Moran for Dwane both 53m.

Longwood – Enda Dixon; Kevin Maguire, Ross Kerrigan, Paul Gill; Mickey Burke, Karl ennis, Damirn Healy; Sean Coloe, Ryan Moore; Bob Maguire, anthony Healy, Gavin Griffith; Aaron ennis, Jim Dorran, Niall Mulvey. Subs – Cathal Campbell for Dorran 45 mins, Johnny Furey for Moore 62m.

Referee – Mark Reilly (Kilmessan).