Trim's narrow win over Kiltale at Kildalkey on Friday evening wasn't enough to secure top spot in the Ted Murtagh SHC Group A as the champions take the direct route to the semis

Trim ......... 3-15
Kiltale ....... 1-19

The final placings were decided on points difference as Dunboyne's win over Kilmessan left a three-way tie at the top with Kiltale prevailing and Trim second.

Both sides had some changes in personnel from their round four outings. A draw would have earned Kiltale top spot.

James Toher sets off for the Kiltale goal

Last year's runners-up, Trim made most of the running on a dry mainly sunny evening. The first of Neil Heffernan's three goals boosted the team in red in the opening minute.

Jack Regan finished with 1-12 to his credit (0-10 frees), his 58th minute speculative effort from play wound up in the Trim net. Ultimately, it didn't deprive the town side of top spot.

Alan Douglas, wearing 14 but operating around midfield, got the move for the opening goal going. Trim maintained their lead to the end and had the wherewithal to respond when the champions rallied.

Kevin Ryan clears as James Andrews tries to hook

James Toher's accuracy from placed balls, though he missed a few, was the mainstay ot Trim first-half tally, Heffernan's goals apart.

Kiltale cut the gap to two points on a couple of occasions but Trim responded positively. The team in red were further boosted by Heffernan's second goal, in the 29th minute, with Toher's contribution influential.

Jack Regan (free) posted the final score of the opening half and the board read 2-8 to 0-7 at the break.

Kiltale posted four of the first five points in the second half. Among them was William Harnan's goal effort that was brilliantly turned over his bar by Brian Carley.

Strike number 1. Neil Heffernan scores Trim's first goal as Anthony Donnelly closes in

It left four points between the teams. Then in the 37th minute, Douglas provided the assist for Heffernan's hat-trick and the board read 3-9 to 0-11.

The champions responded positively with five points on the spin to leave just two in it, 0-16 to 3-9, heading into the final quarter. Trim replied well, outscoring the holders by 0-4 to 0-1 in a five-minute spell to cushion them against Regan's goal.

Cathal McCabe passes despite the efforts of Colm McGrath and Ciaran Joyce

Kiltale take the direct route to the semi-final while Trim will face whoever finishes third in Group B.

Trim - Brian Carley; Ciaran O'Rourke, Eolan Harrington, Colm McGrath;, Gary Conroy, Ciaran Joyce, Cathal Bermingham; Gary Conroy; Thomas Farrell, James Toher (0-6, 5fs);  James Andrews, Shane Ashe (0-1), Damien McGee (0-1); Neil Heffernan, (3-1), Alan Douglas (0-3), Michael Cullen (0-3). Sub - Diarmuid Higgins for D McGee (60).

Kiltale - Shane McGann; Anthony Donnelly, Ciaran Ennis, Kevin Ryan; Stephen Donoghue, John Donoghue, Eamon Ryan; Padraig Kelly, Ronan Ryan; James Kelly (0-1), Cathal McCabe (0-2), Jack Regan (1-12, 0-10 fs); Ross Ryan, William Harnan (0-1), Peter Durnin (0-3). Sub - Brendan Dixon for E Ryan (49)

Referee - NIck Fitzgerald (Kildalkey)

Eolan Harrington clears as Ross Ryan tries to block

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