Club football championships hot up

The club football championships in Munster and Leinster moved nearer the final stages after today's action in both provinces.

In Leinster, Dublin star Tomas Quinn was very much on form as he scored 1-5 in St. Vincent's facile 3-13 to 1-8 win over Portlaoise in a semi-final which saw a player dismissed from both sides.

Vincent's booked a spot in their first Leinster final since 1984 thanks to a comprehensive 11-point victory over Portlaoise at Parnell Park.

Although they only held a one point lead at half-time, the north Dublin outfit exerted their dominance in the second half, and in particular the final quarter despite the loss of defender Eoin Brady following a second yellow card.

Indeed, Portlaoise's Zach Tuohy was also dismissed after 26 minutes for his second bookable offence.

Portlaoise dominated possession in the opening half but it was St. Vincent's who were more clinical in their use of the ball and they held a deserved 2-3 to 1-5 interval lead after an injury-time point from Pat Gilroy.

It looked as though St. Vincent's might run away with this game when they held a 2-2 to 0-1 lead after just eight minutes thanks to well worked goals from Brian Maloney and Quinn.

But the north Dublin side were not to score for a further 23 minutes as Barry Fitzgerald ensured Portlaoise made a firm comeback - he scored 1-3 in a 16-minute spell to ensure the sides were level for the first time.

All of Fitzgerald's points came from placed ball efforts with the Laois champions managing to break through for a goal a minute from the end of normal time.

Portlaoise were eager not to let their numerical disadvantage get the better of them and they continued to play with determination for the remainder of the opening half, with Fitzgerald's goal coming after the corner-forward made a strong run from 30 metres out and finished the ball to the net.

St. Vincent's came out strongly in the second half and early pointed frees from Kevin Golden and Quinn helped them open up a goal advantage after three minutes.

Although the sides were level ten minutes into the second half at 2-5 to 1-8, Portlaoise failed to score for the remainder of the contest as a more lively St. Vincent's side sprung into action.

Quinn was among those who led the Vincent's charge and the corner forward along with Maloney and Diarmuid Connolly in the full-forward line were most dangerous.

Meanwhile, Moorefield edged a step closer to taking back-to-back provincial honours after the Kildare side finally shook off Dromard of Longford at the third time of asking.

The sides' second quarter-final replay at St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge, finished in a 0-13 to 0-7 victory for Moorefield.

Michael Treacy led the charge for the Kildare champions, who were 0-7 to 0-4 ahead at the interval and never looked back in the second half.

In Munster, Waterford champions Ballinacourty created history by qualifying for their first ever Munster Senior Football championship final thanks to a 2-6 to 0-8 victory over Kilcummin of Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium this afternoon.

Second half goals ensured Ballinacourty advanced after the sides had been level at 0-4 each at half-time. The youthful Waterford outfit, who had 10 of their players eligible for the Under-21 grade, dominated the midfield sector in the opening half but failed to capitalise on their chances in front of the posts.

However a goal from John Phelan paved the way in the second half and another goal four minutes from the end put a gloss on a fabulous victory.

Nemo Rangers will be Ballincourty's opponent's in the Munster final on Sunday week after the Cork outfit secured a 2-15 to 2-9 victory over Ballylanders of Limerick.

James Masters was very much on target for the eventual winners who continue their quest in search of another Munster crown.