Vincent’s cruise into Leinster semi-final

ST VINCENT'S 3-11 PORTLAOISE (Laois) 0-10

An explosive start to both halves saw St Vincent's keep their dream of back-to-back Leinster titles alive in Sunday's AIB Leinster Club SFC quarter-final at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.

The Marino men hit goals very early both at the start and restart of the second half to beat the Laois champions for the third time in recent years in the provincial club campaign (2007, 2013 being the previous recent duels).

Vincent's progress to the semi-final in two weeks' time against Westmeath's Garrycastle in a game that will provide part of a double-header with the clash of Kilmacud Crokes and the Kilkenny champions in the Leinster Club SHC.

Vincent's started very well and looking like they could run away with it but despite leading 1-2 to 0-0 inside four minutes they led by just the minimum at the interval, 1-4 to 0-6.

However, a Shane Carthy goal within a minute of the restart, following good work by Tomás Quinn, jolted Vincent's to life again and points from Quinn (free) and the influential Carthy propelled their side 2-6 to 0-6 clear.

Carthy grabbed his second goal just before the three-quarter mark to make it 3-6 to 0-7 and Tommy Conroy's men were on their way to victory.

In the first half Vincent's got off to an electric start to lead 1-2 to 0-0 inside the opening four minutes.

In the first minute Tomas Quinn worked a one-two with Diarmuid Connolly off a free before firing over.

A minute later Connolly beat his marker Cahir Healy before splitting the posts and before the home side had settled Connolly carved through the Portlaoise defence before placing Quinn who blasted to the net.

However, during this early dominance the Marino side could have strengthened their lead but had penalty claims turned down as well as spurning a couple of other occasions when they could have worked goal opportunities.

At the half progressed Portlaoise began to come to terms with the Vincent's attack and a brace of Paul Cahillane points settled their early nerves.

Further points from Zach Tuohy and a Cahillane free left it 1-3 to 0-4 with seven minutes remaining in the opening half.

Shane Carthy stopped the Portlaoise flow with a point but it was the eight in-a-row Laois champions who concluded the half on the up with scores from Craig Rogers, following good work by 'Bruno' McCormack and Tuohy, and McCormack himself as the sides entered the break with Vincent's just a point to the good, 1-4 ro 0-6.

SCORERS - St Vincent’s : S Carthy 2-2, T Quinn 1-3 (0-2f), D Connolly (0-1f), Cormac Diamond, R Trainor 0-2 each 0-1 each. Portlaoise: P Cahillane 0-6 (0-4f), C Rogers 0-2 (0-1f), B McCormack, Z Touhy 0-1 each.

ST VINCENT’S: M Savage; K Bonnie, J Curley, H Gill; B Egan, G Brennan, M Concarr; E Fennell, D Murphy; G Burke, D Connolly, S Carthy; R Trainor, T Quinn, C Dorney. Subs: Cameron Diamond for Murphy (43), Cormac Diamond for Dorney (47), T Diamond for Burke (55), M Loftus for Trainor (60).

PORTLAOISE: M Nolan; P Cotter, D Seale, B Mulligan; E Whelan, C Healy, C Boyle; S Nerney, K Lillis; G Dillon, B McCormack, B Glynn; P Cahillane, Z Touhy, C Rogers. Subs: A Kelly for Nerney (35), E Feane for Boyle (35), M McNulty for Whelan (42), R Maher for Cotter (47), M Rogers for Lillis (50, black card), G Brody for Dillon (55).

REF: A Nolan (Wicklow).