Trim gained their expected Ted Murtagh SHC quarter-final win over a game Blackhall Gaels at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.

Trim  3-16
Blackhall Gaels  2-10

The reward for last year's runners-up is a semi-final tussle with neighbours Kildalkey. Eamonn Clancy's men had the wherewithal to respond positively when their lead was threatened by the Batterstown-Kicloon men.

Blackhall Gaels might have put a better complexion on the scoreline from their perspective, but for shooting 14 wides - 10 after the break.

Following the drama that came with the opening fixture, this quarter-final opened on a less exciting note as hot favourites Trim set the tone with 1-2 in the opening six minutes.

Dimmy Higgins opening point within 15 seconds of the throw-in was countered by a Darren O'Loughlin (65) point. It was the only time the scores were tied.

James Andrews' third minute goal gave Trim the platform to build on. By the 19th minute there were seven points in it, 1-7 to 0-3.

James Toher got that scoring sequence going with the first of his 10 points, from a 65.

Wing-back Tom Murphy pulled a point back for Blackhall, with Hugh Smith's help, in the 23rd minute. Further scores from Niall Mangan and Darren O'Loughlin (free) left just four in it after 28 minutes.

Trim closed out the half with two Toher points (frees) and led by double scores, 1-9 to 0-6, at the break.

Within 20 seconds of the restart Neil Heffernan bagged Trim's second goal, but Blackhall 'keeper Emmet Dalton might have done better in trying to keep the shot out.

Trim were 10 points clear, 2-12 to 0-8, by the 42nd minute when Colm Whitty pulled a goal back for Blackhall Gaels with a fine strike.

It softened the complexion of the scoreline in a pedestrian final quarter livened by two goals in quick succession near the end. Blackhall sub Thomas Coyle got on the end of Paul Kelly's delivery to net at the town goal.

Within seconds Damien McGee pounced on a rebound following a fine save by Dalton and posted his side's third goal. It was left to top scorer Toher (free) to complete the scoring.

Trim - Brian Carley; Ciaran O'Rourke, Eolann Harrington, Colm McGrath; Ryan Andrews (0-1), Ciaran Joyce, Gary Conroy; James Toher (0-10, 7fs,1 65, Dimmy Higgins (0-1); Damien McGee (1-1), Mikey Cullen (0-2), Tommy Farrell; Neil Heffernan (1-1), Alan Douglas, James Andrews (1-0). Subs - Seanie McGee for Farrell (24).

Blackhall Gaels - Emmet Dalton; Niall Kelly, Thomas Delany, Daniel Carty; Paul Kelly, Shane Whitty, Tom Murphy (0-2); Stephen Morris, Hugh Smith; Alan Nestor, Conor Delany, Jonathan Meyler (C) (0-2); Darren O'Loughlin (0-4, 3fs, 1 65), Niall Mangan (0-1), Colm Whitty (1-1, 0-1f)). Subs - Thomas Coyle (1-0) for Mangan (ht), Shane O'Loughlin for D O'Loughlin (49), David McGowan for N Kelly (59).

Referee - Marcus Quinn (Clann na nGael)

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