Trim are made to sweat in sweltering heat by Dunderry

SHC

Trim ............1-17

Dunderry .....0-14

When these two sides clashed in the second round of last year's SHC there was 32 points between the teams, but tonight it was a much tighter affair as much changed Trim were pushed all the way by battling Dunderry in sweltering heat at Dunganny.

Trim started with just seven of the side that began the 2024 Jubilee Cup final against Ratoath as a raft of injuries denied them of the services of James Murray, Gerry Dwane, Dimmy Higgins and Mikey Cole, while James Toher and Mark Molloy were limited to the closing minutes off the bench. Trim were also without Alan Douglas and Charlie Ennis who are overseas, while Pa Ryan was also missing.

With their faith placed in youth Trim looked nervous against a robust Dunderry side that were brimming with confidence after a successful league campaign and who had multiple Jubilee Cup winner with Kildalkey Sean Heavey on their sideline.

Trim's nervousness showed in their shooting as they hit 18 wides in contrast to four from Dunderry. However, it is testimony to the strength in depth in Paul Kelly's panel that they still managed to hit 1-17 on an evening when the energy was quickly sapped from the legs in the roasting heat.

Dunderry were honest and significantly improved from last year. Mark Leavy was excellent throughout, while Evan Nolan was supremely accurate from frees.

However, when Trim needed answers they turned to outstanding displays from David Murtagh, Conor Quigley and Kyle Ennis, while defensively Danny Coleman, Ben Holden and youngsters Cormac Slattery and Luca Taheny also impressed.

The opening half was high in effort, but low in quality. Trim hit 11 of their wides in the first period as the lead changed hands a couple of times early on with Nolan (two) and Adam Kelly trading points with Murtagh (two) and Ennis to leave the sides deadlocked after 17 minutes.

Trim moved two clear for the first time with points from Murtagh and Quigley either side of a Nolan free that was saved on the line.

A '65' and a free from Nolan did draw Dunderry level after Ian Birmingham had pointed for Trim, but Ennis had the last word of the half to ensure a 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead for the Town side.

Leavy restored parity for Dunderry 10 seconds after the restart, but that was the last time the sides were level as Trim managed to edge in front with scores from Murtagh and Joey Cole (free).

Leavy replied for Dunderry, but Ennis and Murtagh (free) added points to make it 0-11 to 0-8.

Another point from Leavy was answered with points from Quigley (two) and Ennis as Trim moved five clear with 10 minutes remaining.

Dunderry never looked like getting the goal they needed with four of their last five points coming from frees from Leavy (three) and Nolan, while Trim stayed in control with Daniel Murray, Cormac Slattery and Murtagh (free) on target before George Douglas sealed the deal with a clever finish for the only goal of a forgettable game - but Trim won't care less as they have the points in the bag.

Trim - Eoin O'Reilly; Danny Coleman, Ben Holden, Padraig Walsh; Cormac Slattery (0-1), Gary Fleming, Luca Taheny; Conor Quigley (0-3), Joey Cole (0-1 free); Darragh Heffernan, James Andrews, David Murtagh (0-6 four frees); George Douglas (1-0), Ian Birmingham (0-1), Kyle Ennis (0-4). Subs - Daniel Murray (0-1) for Fleming 19m, James Toher for Murray, Mark Molloy for Heffernan both 53m, Murray for Cole 54m.

Dunderry - Jack Fagan; Darragh Fay, Liam Coogan, Padraic Stephens; Niall OLaoire, Ronan Brady, Fionn McHale; Donagh O Laoire, William Treacy; Mark Leavy (0-6 three frees), Liam Dempsey, Rian Fay; Evan Nolan (0-6 four frees, one '65'), Adam Kelly (0-1), Conor Leavy. Subs - Jordan Martin (0-1) for Dempsey 49m, Niall Darcy for Coogan 56m.

Referee - Kevin Brady (Louth).