Trim scored a surprise win over Blackhall Gaels in this Meath Farm Machinery Group A SFC clash at Summerhill on Sunday but it wasn't enough to steer them clear of the relegation play-offs.

Trim ………………… 1-15
Blackhall Gaels ……. 1-10

However, Kit Henry's charges put paid to Blackhall Gaels' hopes of advancing to the quarter-final finals with a strong showing that will boost their chances in the round robin relegation decider.

When word filtered through that Oldcastle drew with Simonstown, Trim fate was sealed due to their poorer scoring difference.

Derek Donohoe took scoring honours for Trim with 1-4 and his 41st minute goal earned them a lead, 1-9 to 1-6, they didn't surrender.

Playing towards the pavilion end on a dry humid afternoon, Trim kicked on with some splendid scores that included a Donohoe free from about 55 metres.

Blackhall Gaels lost influential midfielder and goalscorer Paddy O'Brien with a hamstring injury in the 38th minute when the scores were level.

When Donohoe completed his tally, Trim were seven points clear. A prolonged period of stoppage time yielded just two Sean Whelan pointed frees.

Blackhall's Jonathan Meyler was denied an early goal by county 'keeper Brendan Murphy.

The scores were tied twice in the early stages before Trim moved clear as the Gaels became increasingly wasteful.

Trim moved three points clear on as many different occasion and were four to the good when Eoin McGrath completed their first half tally.

A pointed Whelan free left Leo Turley's men trailing by 0-5 to 0-8 at the break. Within two minutes of the restart O'Brien's goal levelled matters again.

Wing back John Kelly pointed Blackhall in front for the first time since the opening minutes.

A fine save by Blackhall 'keeper Tommy Dalton prevented Neil Heffernan from goaling in the 35th minute. Paul Gilsenan got Trim back on terms before Donohoe's decisive score.

Trim - B. Murphy; C. Flaherty, S. Farrell, R. Brennan; D. Phelan, P. Flanagan, M. Power; M. Lowther, A. Douglas; P. Gilsenan (0-4, 3fs), E. McGrath (0-2), J. Toher (0-1, f); M. Gilsenan, D. Donohoe (1-4, 0-1 f), N. Heffernan (0-2). Sub - A. Kane for P. Gilsenan (60).

Blackhall Gaels - T. Dalton; D. Dalton, N. O'Hora, D. O'Brien; J. Kelly (0-1), G. Beirne, D. Tobin (0-1); P. O'Brien (1-0), E. Broad; D. Beirne, M. Ferris (0-1), A. Brady; S. Morris, J. Meyler, S. Whelan (0-6, 4fs). Subs - C. McElligott (0-1) for D. O'Brien, D. Carty for P. O'Brien (both 38), M. Crampton for D. Beirne (50).

Referee - S. O'Connor (Carnaross). Tweet

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