All too easy for Trim as they coast to victory over Dunderry

The ease of this victory will serve little purpose for either side as Trim marched to a 4-31 to 1-8 win over Dunderry in the second round of the SHC at Kilmessan this evening.

There is no point in trying to butter it up any other way. Dunderry were simply outclassed in every sector by a much stronger Trim side who gave starts to young guns Caelum Casserly and George Douglas in place of the absent James Murray and Darragh Heffernan.

For Dunderry they need to wipe this game from their memory quickly. They are still a very young side with an average age of under 21, but they were handed a harsh lesson from an accomplished Trim outfit.

Their opening round win over St Peter's proved that they are far better than they produced in Kilmessan tonight, but when their heads dropped it was all too easy for Trim.

Trim have to be satisfied with their return of 4-31, but they can also reflect on eight first-half wides and a couple of moments of ill-discipline that might haunt them against better opposition.

Without ever having to step out of cruise control Trim lorded proceedings. The coped supremely well with most things defensively as James Toher held the rearguard together and was well supported by Gary Fleming, Danny Coleman and Ben Holden behind him.

Conor Quigley helped himself to 1-4 when allowed rampage forward, while in midfield Joey Cole and Mark Molloy were imperious throughout and both gave an exhibition.

Kyle Ennis deputised on the frees and finished with a brilliant personal tally of 1-12, while the work rate and industry of David Murtagh ensured no rest for Dunderry.

The battle of the inside lines between Mikey Cole, Josh Harris and George Douglas against Ronan Brady, Niall O'Leary and Darragh Fay was intense and value for money, but the Trim players emerged on top with Mikey Cole bagging a brace of goals.

While Trim were clearly the dominant side they eased themselves into the game with a brace from Mikey Cole, two frees from Ennis and one each for Murtagh and Molloy giving them a 0-7 to 0-1 lead after 13 minutes, Stephen Coogan's point was actually an equaliser to Joey Cole's opening score.

Evan Nolan's free and a point from Daire O'Driscoll closed the gap to four, but that was as close as it got and within 30 seconds Quigley had the ball in the net for a brilliant goal after a surging run that was reminiscent of Rob Downey's goal for Cork in last Sunday's All-Ireland SHC final.

Four points from Ennis (three frees), one for Douglas, Harris and Quigley put 14 between the team before Donagh O Laoire pointed on the stroke of half-time to close the gap to 0-4 to 1-14.

By the time Dunderry got on the scoreboard again in the 37th minute Trim added goals from Mikey Cole and Ennis (free) as well as a free from his own '65' from Joey Cole to make it 3-15 to 0-4.

Points from Coogan and Nolan (free) either side of another free from Ennis closed the gap to 19 points, but then seven points in six minutes from Joey Cole (two), Quigley (two), Murtagh, Molloy and Casserly extended Trim's lead to 3-23 at the three-quarter stage.

Coogan temporarily stopped the rot with a point before Ennis replied with two frees, but then came the score of the game - a wonder goal from Donagh O Laoire that drew the biggest cheer of the evening.

Dunderry only added one more point from a Nolan free as Ennis landed three more frees, Molloy lofted over another brace and Quigley clipped over his fourth, while Mikey Cole bagged his second goal to underline Trim's supremacy.

Trim - Charlie Ennis; Danny Coleman, Gary Fleming, Ben Holden; Dimmy Higgins, James Toher, Conor Quigley (1-4); Joey Cole (0-4 two frees), Mark Molloy (0-4); David Murtagh (0-2), Caelum Casserly (0-1), Kyle Ennis (1-12 1-11 frees); George Douglas (0-1), Josh Harris (0-1), Mikey Cole (2-2).

Dunderry - Jack Fagan; Cian Coogan, Ronan Brady, Niall O Laoire; Fionn McHale, Darragh Fay, Liam Coogan; Conor Leavy, Jamie Duffy; Jordan Martyn, Daire O'Driscoll (0-1), Donagh O Laoire (1-1); Mark Leavy, Stephen Coogan (0-3), Evan Nolan (0-3 frees). Subs - Liam Rattigan for C Coogan, Tadhg Dowd for Martyn both half-time, William Treacy for N O Laoire 50m.

Referee - Sean Stack (Parnells, Dublin).