James Toher's stoppage time free secured a minimum margin win for Trim over Ratoath at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening.

Trim ............. 0-17
Ratoath ....... 1-13

The puck from distance was taken close to the right-hand sideline with Trim playing towards the old swimming pool end. 

Last year's runners-up were second best for most of the hour and looked to be exiting this year's championship when trailing by four points, 0-12 to 1-13, midway through the second-half. 

In the time remaining Trim posted five unanswered points. Had they lost the team in red and white would have rued nine second-half wides to Ratoath's four. 

The team and blue and gold might feel aggrieved at some of referee Fergus Smith's decision, but over the hour they squandered a number of goal chances what could have settled matters in their favour a lot sooner.

Drizzle and some rain persisted over the hour. The first-half yielded 21 scores while just 10 were posted after the break. For most of the game, Ratoath seemed to be coping better with the unfavourable weather conditions.

Ahead by a point at the interval, 1-9 to 0-11, Ratoath had the better of the third quarter. A resolute defence looked set to see them through to a meeting with champions Kiltale (whom they drew with in round five).

A couple of half-chances apart in the latter stages, Trim never looked like getting a goal. Despite a mounting wide tally, they chipped away at the deficit. Ian Bermingham's fourth point from play leveled matters for the sixth time in the 57th minute. 

Brian Dowling's accuracy from placed balls was also significant to the outcome. It included one from a 65 that started their rally. 

The Trim subs impacted positively on the outcome with Mikey Cullen and Mikey Cole combining well in the build-up to Bermingham's well-worked third point in the 54th minute. 

Ratoath looked good from the off. After a closely contested opening quarter during which the sides were tied four times, the team in blue and gold moved four points clear by the 25th minute.

Ratoath passed up three good goal chances in the first 30 minutes. Trim created no such chances in that time. 

Bryan McMahon was outstanding for Ratoath in the first-half and had 1-5 from play to his name at the break. He got the first score of the second-half, but no more. His 23rd minute goal left it 1-7 to 0-8.

Having fallen four behind, Trim posted a trio of points in first-half stoppage time, with Dowling and Bermingham scoring from play, to trail by the minimum at the break, 0-11 to 1-9.

Ratoath outscored a wasteful Trim by 0-4 to 0-1 in the third quarter and looked set to advance.

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Ciaran O'Rourke, Ger Duane, Ryan Andrews; Ciaran O'Rourke; David Murtagh, James Toher (0-1f), Sean Magee; David Murtagh; Dylan Farrell, Dimi Higgins; Ian Bermingham (0-4), James Andrews, Conor Quigley (0-1); Brian Dowling (0-7, 4fs, 1 65), Alan Douglas (0-3), Neil Heffernan (0-1). Subs - Ciaran Joyce for O'Rourke (ht), Mikey Cullen for James Andrews (ht), Mikey Cole for Murtagh (48).

Ratoath - Collie O'Riordan; Paddy Dowd, Brian Murphy, Conor McGill; Darragh Kelly, Daithi McGowan, Ben McGowan; Jack McGowan (0-1), Padraig Byrne; Padraig O'Hanrahan (0-3 fs), Niall Murphy, Sean O'Hanrahan; Cian Rogers (0-1), Gavin McGowan (0-2), Bryan McMahon (1-6). Subs - Seanie Johnston for N Murphy (53). 

Referee - Fergus Smith (Kilcock)

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