Wolfe Tones secure IHC final ticket

Wolfe Tones advanced to the IHC decider with a thoroughly deserved 0-21 to 0-8 victory over Trim at Pairc Tailteann today.

The Tones dominated the opening exchanges, but some woeful finishing left them ahead by only two points (0-3 to 0-1) at the first water break, a margin they managed to extend to five (0-9 to 0-4) at the interval.

The Tones tallied 10 first-half wides, but they also managed four points (three frees) from the impressive Eanna Harrington while Stephen Sheppard (two), Caolach Halligan, Darragh Canny and Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch completed the tally.

Trim had a pointed Arnie McGee free on the scoreboard after four minutes, but had to wait another 24 minutes for the next score, the second of four pointed McGee frees in that opening half.

Although Trim struggled to stay in contention, that wayward Tones finishing gave them a chance in the second-half, but it just didn't happen for them.

A spirited third-quarter produced more pointed frees, they didn't score from play, with McGee (two) and former Meath player Joey Toole splitting the posts.

That left them adrift by 0-7 to 0-12 at the water break as a more composed Wolfe Tones side improved in the finishing department with points from Mark Coleman, Harrington (free) and Sheppard sustaining the momentum ahead of the water break

Tones benefited more from the break and a determined and productive final quarter got them comfortably over the line as they out-scored Trim by 0-9 to 0-1.

Trim lost composure when the Tones raised the tempo and they finished with 14 men when James Cullen picked up a late red card.

Toole pointed a Trim free, but it was all about Tones with Harrington (four frees), Halligan (two), Canny, O'Kelly-Lynch and Gary McFadden completing the tally.

Tones will play either Boardsmill or KIlskyrne / Moylagh in the decider, the second semi-final will be played at Pairc Tailteann tomorrow.

SCORERS

Wolfe Tones - Eanna Harrington 0-9 six frees; Caolach Halligan 0-3; Stephen Sheppard 0-3; Darragh Canny 0-2; Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch 0-2; Mark Coleman 0-1; Gary McFadden 0-1.

Trim - Aaron McGee 0-6 frees; Joey Toole 0-2 frees.

TEAMS

Wolfe Tones - Cillian O'Brien; Davi Coleman, Eoghan Harrington, Gearoid O'Brien; Conor Sheppard, Gerry Farrelly, Brian Meade; Thomas O'Reilly, Mark Coleman; Caolach Halligan, Stewphen Sheppard, Darragh Canny; Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch, Eanna Harrington, Donal Keogan. Subs - Gary McFadden for Canny 53 mins, Ray Dorran for Sheppard 56m, Donal Curtis for O'Kelly-Lynch 58m.

Trim - Calum Buckley ; Cian Walsh, Colm McGrath, Darragh Kennedy; Kevin Lennon, Gary Flemming, Jack Cotterll; James Cullen, Danny Coleman; Conor McKeown, Peter Farrell, Ciaran O'Rourke; David Murtagh, Joey Toole, Aaron McGee. Subs - Stephen Doyle for O'Rourke half-time, Andy Dinan for Cotterill 37 mins.

Referee - Marcus Quinn (Clann na nGael).