Trim stun Kilkenny champs in Nowlan Park

In one of the most seismic shocks in Meath hurling history Trim travelled into the lions den of Nowlan Park this afternoon and claimed the massive scalp of Danesfort to secure a thrilling 0-16 to 0-15 Leinster IHC quarter-final victory.

Written off as massive underdogs against the 1/20 favourites, Trim produced a display of pure guts, determination and no small amount of class to stun the Kilkenny intermediate champions who included seven-time All-Ireland winner Richie Hogan and four-time MacCarthy Cup winner Paul Murphy in their ranks.

That Hogan was kept to just two points from play is testament to the foundation of Trim's remarkable victory - their defensive solitude.

James Toher was simply sensational for the Meath champions, while Gerry Dwane and Conor Quigley was also immense as they limited a fearsome Danesfort attack.

Even when Danesfort threatened to pull away, as they did on a number of occasions, Trim showed remarkable determination to stay in the game and with classy forwards like James Murray in their ranks they bared their teeth in the final quarter and produced a stunning victory.

It looked ominous for Trim early on as Danesfort's slicker stickwork propelled them to an early lead with Cathal Kearney and James Mullally on target.

It took Trim a while to settle, but when they did a superb pass by Brian Dowling picked out Pa Ryan for their opening score in the 10th minute and two minutes later Murray arrowed over the equaliser from a free.

Hogan and Murray traded frees before Ben Whitty and Mikey Cole exchanged great scores from play. Two opportunist scores from Hogan, his only points from play, edged Danesfort 0-6 to 0-4 ahead in the 21st minute and the Kilkenny side threatened to pull clear.

However, Trim responded with another Murray free before Des Dunne pointed from inside his own half to make it 0-7 to 0-5 to the hosts.

Trim produced the first clear goal chance as Quigley played a one-two with Neil Heffernan, but his shot was blocked and James Andrews' subsequent pull sailed wide.

Danesfort went close to finding the net in the third minute of first-half injury-time, but they hit the crossbar before the half-time whistle sounded with the hosts two points clear.

Hogan stretched that lead with a free a minute after the restart, but anything Hogan could do Murray could do better as he hit two monster frees in as many minutes to close the gap to 0-7 to 0-8.

Hogan and Dylan Farrell traded points before Charlie Ennis produced a fine save to deny Robbie Walsh and inspired by that stop Trim rallied with Murray (free) restoring parity before Mikey Cole hit the point of the game to give Trim the lead for the first time, 0-10 to 0-9, in the 41st minute.

Danesfort responded well to falling behind by hitting three in a row from Paul Murphy, Colm Phelan and Hogan (free) to lead by 0-12 to 0-10 with 12 minutes remaining.

Most wondered was that the end of Trim's brave challenge? Not Trim though.

Murray with a free from midfield and Philly Cooney exchanged points to maintain the two-point gap, but then Trim hit their best spell as points from Ian Birmingham, Ryan and two from Murray (one free) pushed them into an unexpected 0-15 to 0-13 lead with six minutes remaining.

Whitty made it a one-point game in the 58th minute before Alan Douglas restored Trim's two-point cushion two minutes into injury-time.

Dunne did pull one back for Danesfort, but with Toher, O'Rourke and Dwane making some outstanding clearances late on Trim held on to claim a remarkable victory in Danesfort's backyard.

SCORERS

Trim - James Murray 0-9 seven frees, one '65'; Pa Ryan 0-2; Mikey Cole 0-2; Dylan Farrell 0-1; Ian Bermingham 0-1; Alan Douglas 0-1.

Danesfort - Richie Hogan 0-6 four frees; James Mullally 0-1; Cathal Kearney 0-1; Ben Whitty 0-2; Des Dunne 0-2; Colm Phelan 0-1; Philly Cooney 0-1; Paul Murphy 0-1.

TEAMS

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Ciaran O'Rourke, Gerry Dwane, Ben Holden; Dimmy Higgins, James Toher, Conor Quigley; Dylan Farrell, Pa Ryan; James Murray, James Andrews, Brian Dowling; Mikey Cole, Alan Douglas, Joey Cole. Subs - Neil Heffernan for Dowling 21 mins, Ian Bermingham for M Cole 48m, Peter Farrell for Andrews 59m.

Danesfort - Paddy Hogan; Eoin Brennan, Diarmuid Phelan, Daire O'Neill; Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Cathal O'Neill; Philly Cooney, Cathal Kearney; Colm Phelan, James Mullally, Ben Whitty; Richie Hogan, Robbie Walsh, Jake Cullen. Subs - Philly Walsh for Cullen 45 mins, Dylan Dunphy for R Walsh 58m.

Referee - Eamonn Furlong (Wexford).