Impressive Jude’s topple Vincent’s in SFC1 semi-final

ST JUDE'S 2-11 ST VINCENT'S 0-8

St Jude's set up an all-southside Dublin SFC1 final with their well-earned nine-point victory over holders St Vincent's in Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon.

Jude's held Vinnies scoreless for 31 minutes as they took the game away from the Marino men when going from 0-1 to 0-5 in arrears after 15 minutes to leading 2-7 to 0-5 by the 42nd minute.

They now face Kilmacud Crokes, victors over Ballyboden in their semi-final on Saturday, in the county decider on Monday, October 29 in Parnell Park.

Jude's, who have never been crowned Dublin champions, will enter the decider in a very positive frame of mind following Sunday's convincing victory despire their slow start.

As Vincent's threw caution to the wind when chasing the game in the concluding quarter the Jude's defence proved impossible to break down.

Their counter-attacking game, with the accurate left-boot of Chris Guckian to the fore, coupled with the ball-winning and hard running-game of Kevin McManamon ensured that Vincent's were not going to cut the deficit.

Vincent's started very well to lead 0-5 to 0-1 inside 15 minutes with Gavin Burke, operating as an attacking wing-back, Nathan Mullins, Eamon Fennell, Tomas Quinn (free) and Loran Smyth all on target.

But Jude's then took over slowly. Niall Coakley pointed and Padraic Clarke added two (one free).

Maybe the portents were bad for Vincent's when Tomas Quinn hit the upright with a free and then Jude's got level with a Seamus Ryan point from play.

Three minutes before the interval a long, hopeful punt from corner-back Oisin Manning bounced invitingly for Clarke to run onto as he beat keeper Michael Savage in time to flick it over his head to the net. The move came at the end of a chain of passages that began with keeper Liam Mailey cutting out a ball in the danger zone as Vins attempted to work a goal situation.

A McManamon free made it 1-6 to 0-5 at the break.

The introduction of Diarmuid Connolly and Enda Varley could not turn the game Vincent's way. Vinnies enjoyed plenty of possession in the early part of the second-half but failed to get the scoreboard ticking.

Twelve minutes into the second-half Jude's effectively delivered the knockout blow when Seamus Ryan covered 70 metres to link with McManamon before sliding the ball to the net past Savage to make it 2-7 to 0-5.

Inside the final ten minutes whatever hope Vincent's had of a heroic late comeback faded when Ger Brennan's goal attempt when just outside the left post.

Despite two Enda Varley frees Jude's closed the game out with points from Coakley (free) and Guckian to set up their county final against Kilmacud Crokes.

SCORERS - St Jude's: P Clarke 1-2 (0-1f), S Ryan 1-1, N Coakley 0-3 (0-1f), K McManamon 0-2 (0-1f), C Guckian, T Devlin, S King. St Vincent's: T Quinn (0-2f), E Varley (0-2f) 0-2 each, E Fennell, N Mullins, G Burke, L Smyth 0-1 each.

ST JUDE'S: LMailey, O Manning, C Fitzpatrick, C O'Reilly; T Lahiff, N O'Shea, C Guckian; M Sweeney, S Ryan; K Doherty, R Joyce, S King; N Coakley, K McManamon, P Clarke. Subs: T Devlin for Joyce (39), N Mangan for King (52), A Sweeney for Clarke (61), B Sheehan for Coakley (66).

ST VINCENT'S: M Savage; J McCusker, M Concarr, F Breathnach; B Egan, G Brennan, G Burke; E Fennell, N Mullins; L Galvin, L Smyth, C Diamond; A Baxter, S Carthy, T Quinn. Subs: D Connolly for Baxter (ht), E Varley for Diamond (ht), J Feeney for Smyth (48), R McBride for Mullins (56), S Lambe for Egan (59).

REF: D Burnett (Croabh Chiarain).