Jubilant Jude’s see off challenge of Cuala

ST JUDE'S 0-16 CUALA 1-7

St Jude's impressed as the progressed to the semi-finals of the Dublin SFC following this comfortable victory over Cuala in Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

The Tymon North men will now face holders St Vincent's in their last-four encounter in two weeks time.

The victors could also afford a missed late penalty when Declan Donnolly sliced wide from the penalty spot in second half injury-time after he had been fouled himself.

Jude's started well and the early signs were ominous for the opponents.

Niall Coakley opened his account with a free and despite Con O'Callaghan's reply for the Dalkey side Jude's soon held the upperhand.

Points from Kevin McManamon, Donnelly and three Coakley frees had their side 0-6 to 0-1 up by the 16th minute.

It could have been more but they missed goal chances when Mick Fitzsimons performed a great block tackle on McManamon in the 11th minute and Donnelly spurned another opportunity at the end of some brilliant interplay by Jude's.

By the break Jude's were 0-9 to 0-4 in front and the second half began with something of a 'collector's item' score when Paul Cunningham half-volleyed the ball over his own crossbar when trying to clear his lines after Niall O'Callaghan went close to raising a green flag for Cuala.

Three minutes Cuala did goal when Dara Spillane concluded a fine move to the net following Con O'Callaghan's approach play.

However, Jude's responded with intent to kick the following six points in-a-row with the accuracy of Coakley to the fore.

There was no way back now for Cuala as Jude's ran out six-point winners.

SCORERS– St Jude’s: N Coakley (0-4f), D Donnelly (0-2f) 0-5 each, K McManamon 0-3, R O’Brien, M Sweeney, K Doherty 0-1 each. Cuala: C O’Callaghan 0-4 (0-3f), D Spillane 1-0, C Mulally 0-2, P Cunningham 0-1 (own point).

ST JUDE’S: P Copeland; C Fitzpatrick, P Cunningham, R Martina; N O’Shea, C Guckian, M Sweeney; C Murphy, S Ryan; R Joyce, R O’Brien, K Doherty; N Coakley, K McManamon, D Donnelly. Subs: D McLoughlin for O’Brien (48), P Courtney for Murphy (55), O Manning for Fitzpatrick (56), B Sheehan for McManamon (62).

CUALA: L Kelly; S Drummond, M Fitzsimons, L Tracey; E Breathnach, C Mulally, J Fitzsimons; J Power, M Schutte; M Kiernan, C Sheanon, J Sheanon; N O’Callaghan, C O’Callaghan, D Spillane. Subs: A Benson for Schutte (16, inj), N James for Kiernan (ht), L McHugh for J Fitzsimons (44), N Carthy for C Sheanon (44), C Ó Giolláin for N O’Callaghan (59).

REF: D Sweeney (St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER).