Champions Kildalkey to negotiate Trim test

One of the most surprising aspects of this weekend's Trim v Kildalkey SHC quarter-final encounter is that these two sides find themselves facing each other at this stage of the competition. At the start of the summer pundits could justifably have predicted they would meet in the final - or at least the semi-final stage. Yet here they are ready to go toe-to-toe with the 'only' prize on offer a place in the last four. It is an indication of the topsy-turvy form experienced by both sides that they go into this game already familiar with the bitter taste of defeat, or, in the case of Kildalkey, two defeats. They lost out to Kilmessan in the opening round, a result that raised a few eyebrows, but could hardly be termed a shock, before suffering an unexpected setback against Kiltale. An outcome that could certainly be filed away in the 'shock' section. That left the reigning champions facing a do or die clash with Killyon. It would have been understandable if the Kildalkey supporters were nervous going into that game fearing that their side were in some form of unalterable decline, morale seriously undermined by their earlier setbacks. They need not have worried. While they didn't perform that well in the first-half against Killyon, Pat O'Halloran's team switched on the power after the break, racking up a bagful of goals in the 4-18 to 2-7 victory. And that scoreline hints at something Kildalkey have, despite their two defeats, expertly demonstrated in this year's championship - their ability to turn possession into scores from open play. So far Kildalkey have harvested a hugely impressive 17-71, that statistic augmented by the hammerings handed out to Clann na nGael (4-20 to 1-5) and Longwood (5-16 to 2-5). Even the unbeaten and in-form Navan O'Mahonys cannot surpass that tally with their scoring rate of 10-55 paling in comparision. It would also have to be factored into that equation that Kildalkey played their early encounters without a recongised free-taker in Noel Kirby who is now back in the fold and, it must be presumed, will get sharper with each game. Kirby contributed five points to the winning margin over Killyon and his return from a stint in the US is a huge fillip for the champions - and just at the right time of the year. There are other reasons why Trim should be fearful. Derek 'Duxie' Doran is in hot form at the moment, his pace and finishing a lethal combination while Tony Fox and Sean Heavey are providing leadership and direction at midfield. On the flip side there is the assertion, also backed up by statistics, that suggest Kildalkey tend to ship soft goals this year. That weakness is indicated in the less than impressive 9-41 they have leaked in their games. Trim are a much tigher unit at the back rarely allowing opposition attackers the kind of time and space they require to thrive. Trim have only conceded 2-60 so far this year, one of the best defensive displays of the championship. Their only defeat against the in-form Navan O'Mahonys was by just a point yet they were buffetted and bustled in that game and found it hard to come up with an answer. Their draw with Drumree has to go down as one of the surprise results of the championship and they were fortunate to get the better of Na Fianna - eventually doing so if only by a point. With manager John Andrews and player Ronan Fizsimons on the suspended list, Trim could struggle but write them off at your peril. They have plenty of talent with Neil Heffernan they type of forward who can make hay against any defence, and in 2010 they pushed Kildalkey all the way in the semi-final. However, Kildalkey are starting to build momentum at just the right time - and they should seal their ticket to the last four.