Powerful Portlaoise cruise past Kilmacud
The fact that they did so emphatically was due as much to their second-half dominance as to the relative weakness of the challenge from Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes.
It was a day when the bigger names on the Portlaoise side delivered and it proved crucial. Portlaoise made the better start, gaining the lead straight from the throw-in. That score came from midfielder Enda Coleman, who was prominent in the early stages when county star Colm Parkinson was also seen to good effect. Interestingly, however, the Kilmacud backs looked comfortable enough under early pressure and in time they were to exert a strong influence. At the other end Ray Cosgrove (unable to start because of a hamstring problem) was missed, while Portlaoise had to start without Kevin Fitzpatrick.
