Trim 'keeper Charlie Ennis emerged as his side's hero with a string of saves that helped unseat champions Kildalkey in a thriller at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening..

Trim .................. 1-18
Kildalkey ........... 2-14

Ennis' 58th minute brilliant stop from Nicky Potterton prevented Kildalkey from regaining the lead they last held in the fourth minute thereby keeping Trim in the race for Jubilee Cup honours. PHOTOS

Despite being on the front foot for most the hour, Trim never led by more than four points as they did once either side of half-time.

The champions did not relinquish their title easily, keeping Trim in their sights up to and including the last play.

It was Trim's second win over Kildalkey in the campaign, but achieved in a different manner to their second round success.

Major controversy was averted when a mistake in referee Mark Reilly's tally - he credited them with one point less than they had actually scored in the first-half. The  mistake was corrected and proved to be the difference between the sides at the finish.

While Nicky Potterton emerged as the game's top scorer with 1-7, Trim had nine different scorers overall, while Kildalkey had six.

When Kildalkey were three points down, Evan Fitzgerald saw his goal attempt blocked by Ennis midway through the second half.

A notable influrence on the outcome came from the Trim bench in the latter stages. Neil Heffernan and Mikey Cullen had notable cameos with the latter seeing a goal attempt crash against the post.

Both teams deserve credit for the manner in which they coped with the dipping sun in the final quarter. Trim especially so, as they faced that element in the second half.

Kildalkey didn't manage to cut the gap to the minimum again, for the first time since the 14th minute (when their top markman goaled), until the second minute of added time when Nicky Potterton wrapped up the scoring

The game exploded positively wth three goals in the opening quarter. Wind-assisted Kildalkey were first to strike with Padraig Geoghegan finishing to the net in the second minute aided by Mark Healy and Paddy Conneely.

Trim responded positively with with 1-4 inside seven minutes. Joey Cole's sixth minute goal put Jimmy Canty's side ahead for the first time.

They maintained that lead to half-time but Kildalkey were thrown a lifeline with Nicky Potterton's 14th minute goal that trimmed the deficit to the minimum, 2-1 to 1-5.

Charlie Ennis came to Trim's rescue twice in the second quarter, keeping out two goal attempts from Brian Conneely.

Scorers: Trim - James Murray 0-7 (6fs, 1 65); Joey Cole 1-2; Mikey Cole 0-2; Dimmy Higgins 0-2; Brian Dowling 0-1; Mikey Cullen 0-1; Conor Quigley 0-1; Alan Douglas 0-1; James Andrews 0-1

Kildalkey - Nicky Potterton 1-7 (0-6fs); Padraig Geoghegan 1-1; Paddy Barnwell 0-2; Evan Fitzgerald 0-2; Brian Conneely 0-1; Martin Healy 0-1.

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Ger Dwane, Dimmy Higgins, Ben Holden; Ciaran O'Rourke, James Toher (c), Conor Quigley; Dylan Farrell, David Murtagh; James Murray, James Andrews, Brian Dowling; Mikey Cole, Alan Douglas, Joey Cole. Subs - Mikey Cullen for Dowling (39), Neil Heffernan for Andrews (47), Pa Ryan for Murtagh (53).

Kildalkey - Mark McCormack; David Conneely, Brian Coffey, Brendan McKeon; Brian O'Halloran, Mairtin Doran, Martin Healy; Patrick Potterton, Evan Fitzgerald; Padraig Geoghegan, Paddy Conneely, Paddy Barnwell; Nicky Potterton, Mark Healy, Brian Conneely. Subs - Niall McNally for P Conneely (23), Gary Kelly for B Conneely (58),

Referee - Mark Reilly (Kilmessan)

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