Kildalkey are able to up the tempo when necessary

One of Micheal O Muircheartaigh's most memorable sayings from his long broadcasting career came when he sought to describe how a team dramatically upped their performance in the second-half of a game. "They played with the wind in the first-half, but with the ball in the second," he said. Kildalkey had the advantage of the breeze and the driving rain in the first-half of Saturday's SHC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann. Yet it was only after the break when Trim sought tenaciously to wrench the title from their grasp, that the champions really started to produce the type of champagne hurling that eventually quelled the considerable storm whipped up by their opponents. If Kildalkey, who led 0-6 to 0-4 at the break, were looking for a test of their character and resolve they got it as Trim sought to book a place in the final and end a long spell away from the biggest day in Meath hurling. The manner in which Kildalkey sealed victory in this highly entertaining contest was indeed impressive. With 46 minutes on the clock the sides were level at 0-7 apiece with Trim looking like they could push on and secure their place in the final. Then, utilising their considerable experience Kildalkey moved up their performance a few notches, and within the next six minutes they fired over points from Noel Kirby and Maurice Keogh and a goal from Dan Fagan to leave them 1-9 to 0-7 in front and looking good. It was the kind of devastating response that left Trim's spirited young side with a lot to do and as it turned out it proved to be too big a task for them. Maybe that's what makes champions? The ability to find that extra yard or two and dig out the scores at vital stages of a game. There were other reasons why Kildalkey are through to the final. They produced scores from a wide variety of sources with eight of their players getting on the scoresheet. This compares to just three from Trim. Kildalkey also had a superb defence that presented the Trim attack with very limited opportunities. The full-back line of Conor Dunne, Stephen Forde and Daire Lahart were particularly impressive while goalkeeper Gary McNally played his part with a couple of smart saves and some secure handling. Dunne got in a couple of vital blocks while one flamboyant flick by Forde in the first-half prevented Trim's dangerman Neil Heffernan from having a clear run on goal. Lahart did a lot of good work and in the opening half he made a goal-line clearance after a Joey Toole shot had deceived McNally. It is on such instances games are won or lost. Mairtin Doran also mopped up a great deal of possession in front of his own posts and, time and again, launched ball deep into enemy territory. Further upfield Sean Heavey and Derek Doran looked very similar in their yellow helmets. They also have the same style of play running at defences and earning frees or shooting between the posts. Both chalked up excellent points and gave big, energetic performances as they worked hard to create openings in Trim's stubborn backline. Derek Doran helped himself to two points with Gary Kelly, Maurice Keogh, Heavey, Seanie Corrigan and Paddy Conneely grabbing a point apiece. Kirby missed a few frees early on before fine-tuning his radar and going on to fire over four points, three frees, one '65', most of them from long distance. The score that really put daylight between these teams and gave Kildalkey a huge lift was Fagan's goal on 51 minutes. The move originated in a fine piece of defensive work by Lahart who intercepted a pass from Toole. The ball was moved downfield and Kirby drove it long to Fagan who won possession on the edge of the square. The big full-forward was under severe pressure from Gay Kennedy yet he somehow managed to turn and get a shot in. The ball flew past Brian Carley for a score that drew a huge cheer from the Kildalkey supporters among the big crowd. A few minutes later Trim responded with a goal. Dimi Higgins powered his way through and had his shot blocked. The ball fell perfectly for Heffernan who once again showed his instinct for goals. While Trim only trailed by two points at that stage Kildalkey's goal appeared to give them a greater boost and self-belief. They got the scent of victory in their nostrils and they were determined to land their prey. They went on to fire over the final four points of the game without reply. Fagan could have netted a second goal in the closing minutes, but instead went for a point as his team took control. Trim will look back on this game and think of what might have been. They will reflect on Toole's shot that was cleared by Lahart. Late in the opening half Toole also had an effort smartly saved by McNally. Early in the second-half Heffernan looked certain to score a goal when he was one-on-one with the Kildalkey custodian. Heffernan appeared to be aiming for the top corner and instead flashed his shot wide. It was a let off for Kildalkey who had to be at full-alert throughout this encounter to deny Trim further goals. Trim will look back on this game, and this year, and think that if the likes of Kildalkey and Kilmessan are the teams of today, they are surely the team of tomorrow. They had excellent outings from players such as their half-back trio of Ciaran Joyce, Colm Doyle and Ryan Andrews. They got a good percentage of ball into their forwards only to find the Kildalkey backs in outstanding form. Alan Douglas was Trim's top scorer with four of his five points from play. Trim created chances, but not enough to derail the champions who played enough good ball in the second-half to ensure progress to the final for the third time in the last four years. SCORERS Kildalkey - D Fagan 1-2; N Kirby 0-4, three frees, one '65'; D Doran 0-2; G Kelly 0-1; M Keogh 0-1; S Heavey 0-1; S Corrigan 0-1; P Conneely 0-1. Trim - A Douglas 0-5, four frees; N Heffernan 1-1; J Toole 0-1. THE TEAMS Kildalkey - G McNally; C Dunne, S Forde, D Lahart; G Kelly, M Keogh, M Doran; T Fox, D Fagan; S Heavey, N Kirby, P Keogh; D Brady, E Keogh, D Doran. Subs - S Corrigan for Fox half-time; P Conneely for Brady 43 mins; E Potterton for P Keogh 60mins. Trim - B Carley; J Lee, G Kennedy, B Keogh; R Andrews, C Doyle, C Joyce; R Fitzsimons, N Murray; J Toole, D McGee, J Canty; J Toher, N Heffernan, A Douglas. Subs - D Higgins for Toher 38 mins; S Ashe for Canty 50m; K Higgins for Lee 47m. Referee - Donal Smyth (Navan O'Mahonys).