Revitalised Summerhill too strong for Trim

SFC Group stage form goes out the window

WHEN it comes to knock-out football Summerhill are a different animal as Trim found to their cost in this SFC quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday.

Trim had breezed through the group stages and their three victories included one against Keegan Cup holders Dunshaughlin. Summerhill’s passage was a much more laboured process and they limped to the last eight following two defeats and a slightly superior score difference to St Peter's.

Those contrasting routes to the knock-out stages counted for little in this contest as Summerhill, chomping at the bit from the opening whistle, did the heavy lifting throughout the first half when playing into a stiff breeze. They trailed by the minimum twice in the opening quarter but were never headed from the time Conor Frayne pointed them ahead on 19 minutes.

The ‘Hill led by three approaching half-time and eventually settled for a 0-7 to 0-6 advantage at the break.

Trim managed to gain parity on the restart but their challenge fizzled out in that third quarter as Summerhill found the net to open up a five point lead. The town side failed to add to their tally in the final 13 minutes during which Summerhill reeled off a goal and three points to win pulling up.

The ‘Hill were very impressive transitioning from defence to attack and carried the ball forward with strong running that Trim found difficult to contain. Ronan and Ross Ryan, Ben Moran and Jamie O’Shea all showed impressive form while Adam Flanagan’s aerial power alongside his live-wire midfield partner Adam McDonnell also proved crucial for the ‘Hill.

Conor Quigley, Gerry Dwane and Ben Holden worked hard to stem the tide but Trim didn’t have the same fluency about them going forward and struggled to create many clear-cut scoring chances.

Points from Sean Foley and David Lernihan had Trim ahead twice in the opening passages but Summerhill showed an abundance of experience in retaining possession and forcing Trim to chase the game.

They should have had a goal when Liam Shaw was put through but 'keeper Eoin O’Reilly did well to deflect his low shot out for a ’45 which Sean Muddiman converted. Further scores from Eoghan Frayne (free) and McDonnell left it 0-7 to 0-4 on 26 minutes. Trim finished the half with a brilliant two-pointer from Aaron Lynch.

James Murray levelled proceedings on the restart but that was as good as it got for Ken Robinson’s charges. A two-pointer from McDonnell and another free converted by Eoghan Frayne left it 0-10 to 0-8 and when Adam Flanagan found the net on 39 minutes Summerhill were well in control.

The lead extended to six points before Sean Fitzgerald and Lynch (free) reduced it back to four. Summerhill's name was already in the hat for the semi-final draw after Conor Frayne set up Conor Lyons for ‘Hill’s second goal. Corner back Ben Moran and sub John Lavelle added further scores before the finish.

Summerhill – Sean Muddiman (0-1 ‘45’); Ben Moran (0-1), Ronan Ryan, Iarla Hughes; Jack Bannon, Ross Ryan, Jamie O’Shea (0-1); Adam McDonnell (0-3 one two-pointer), Adam Flanagan (1-0); Diarmuid McCabe, Kevin Ryan (0-1), David Larkin; Conor Frayne (0-1), Eoghan Frayne (0-5 frees), Liam Shaw (0-1). Subs – Conor Lyons (1-0) for Shaw 47m, John Lavelle (0-1) for O’Shea 52m, Padhraig Geraghty for McDonnell 56m, Eamonn McDonnell for K Ryan 57m, Kevin Lyons for Flanagan 58m.

Trim – Eoin O’Reilly; Conor McGinley, Gerry Dwane, Ben Holden; James Toher, Conor Quigley (0-1), Eoin Sweeney; David Lernihan (0-1, James Murray (0-1); Harry Purcell, Ciaran Caulfield, Daire Lynch (0-1); Sean Foley (0-1), Tadhg Carty, Aaron Lynch (0-5 three frees, one two-point). Subs – Sean Fitzgerald (0-1) for Purcell 23m, Jack McGowan for McGinley half-time, Tom Carmody for Carty 45m, Kyle Ennis for D Lynch 51m, David Murtagh for Foley 56m.

Referee – Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin).