St Vincent’s 4-12
St Jude’s 1-12
Emma Duffy reports from Parnell Park
REIGNING CHAMPIONS ST Vincent’s booked their place in a fifth successive Dublin SFC final this evening as they saw off St Jude’s at Parnell Park.
As St Jude’s — who were bidding to reach just their second-ever decider — were reduced to 13 men, the floodgates opened and an impressive late surge saw Brian Mullins’ side book their ticket to a mouth-watering decider against Ballymun Kickhams.
Mossy Quinn was influential for the winners on the night, chipping in with 1-3, and his goal — Vincent’s second — was the crucial one that sank St Jude’s.
Nathan Mullins, Shane Carthy and Brendan Egan hit the other three goals, while Diarmuid McLoughlin slotted home at the other end.
It was St Jude’s who drew first blood, as Dublin All-Ireland winner Kevin McManamon put on a stellar display of free-taking from the outset. He finished with 0-4 to his name.
It took the reigning champions eight minutes to get off the mark, Quinn setting the standard with a well-taken free-kick off the ground.
Kieran Doherty was impressive for Jude’s, splitting the posts twice in the opening half, as Cormac Diamond did similarly at the opposite end, either side of Vincent’s first goal.
After a cutting run through the middle, Nathan Mullins fired home, leaving Jude’s keeper Paul Copeland with no chance as his effort clipped off the post and rattled the back of the net.
Diarmuid Connolly was quiet in the opening stages, but his work-rate off the ball paid dividends — and he sprung to life in the later exchanges. As the half-time whistle sounded, the teams were tied with the scoreboard set at 1-4 to 0-7.
The second half opened in a cagey manner, but both sides mustered up attacks only for a strong wind sweeping across the pitch forcing several efforts wide.
There was no shortage of off-the-ball action throughout the match, and that continued with referee Gary McCormack kept busy. St Jude’s were reduced to 14 men, with Mark Sweeney sent off for an incident around the middle.
It was a little over eight minutes before the scoring was opened, Connolly sending over a huge curling effort to edge Vins ahead. Niall Coakley fittingly got his first of the night at the other end immediately after, the Cork native’s effort deadlocking the game yet again.
Enda Varley had the holders one up again, just before St Jude’s goalkeeper Paul Copeland was dished a straight red for high challenge on Ruairi Trainor. JB Carty was called to action from the bench, while Quinn slotted over the resultant free.
Down to 13 men, there were huge cheers from the large St Jude’s crowd as Coakley sent over an inspiring effort to keep his side in touch.
Quinn and Varley kept the scoreboard ticking over for Vincent’s, while Coakley starred at the other end to leave a goal between the sides with six minutes on the clock.
Then the floodgates opened.
A stellar ball from Connolly eventually found its way to Quinn, who smashed home. The outpour of Jude’s supporters followed as Shane Carthy added a point and goal in quick succession to pile more misery upon them.
And Brendan Egan was the man to put the final nail in the coffin, his original effort hit the crossbar but he made no mistake on second asking.
To St Jude’s credit, they didn’t give up the effort with Diarmuid McLoughlin coming off the bench to add 1-1, as the game finished with nine points between the sides.
Scorers for St Vincent’s: Mossy Quinn (1-3, 3f), Shane Carthy (1-1), Nathan Mullins and Brendan Egan (1-0 each), Enda Varley (0-3, 1f), Cormac Diamond and Ruairi Trainor (0-2 each) Diarmuid Connolly (0-1).
Scorers for St Jude’s: Kevin McManamon (0-4, 3f), Niall Coakley (0-4, 1f), Diarmuid McLoughlin (1-1), Kieran Doherty (0-2), Ross O’Brien (0-1).
St Vincent’s
1. Michael Savage
2. Michael Concarr
3. Jarlath Curley
4. Craig Wilson
5. Cameron Diamond
6. Ger Brennan
7. Brendan Egan
8. Lorcan Galvin
9. Nathan Mullins
10. Gavin Burke
11. Diarmuid Connolly
12. Cormac Diamond
13. Enda Varley
14. Shane Carty
15. Tomás Quinn
Subs
30. Ruairi Trainor for Cormac Diamond (37)
27. Daithi Murphy for Lorcan Galvin (48)
28. Luke Sheehy for Cameron Diamond (52)
20. Tiernan Diamond for Gavin Burke (55)
23. Eamonn Fennell for Enda Varley (58)
St Jude’s
1. Paul Copeland
2. Ciaran Fitzpatrick
3. Paul Cunningham
4. Rob Martina
5. Chris Guckian
6. Paul Courtney
7. Niall O’Shea
8. Mark Sweeney
19. Colm Murphy
10. Ronan Joyce
11. Kevin McManamon
12. Kieran Doherty
18. Ross O’Brien
13. Niall Coakley
15. Declan Donnelly
Subs
14. Diarmuid McLoughlin for Ross O’Brien (43)
16. JB Carty for Colm Murphy (46)
23. Eoin McLoughlin for Ronan Joyce (49)
27. Simon King for Paul Courtney (51)
25. Billy Sheehan for Rob Martina (60)
Referee: Gary McCormack
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