Nestor’s late penalty save sees Crokes prevail in duel with Portlaoise

KILMACUD CROKES 1-17 PORTLAOISE (Laois) 3-8

David Nestor was the Kilmacud Crokes hero as his injury-time penalty save saw the Dublin champions survive and progress to the Leinster Club SFC final after Sunday's dramatic semi-final in Parnell Park.

Portlaoise were awarded a spot-kick as the game moved into added time as Crokes protected a three-point lead but Craig Rogers had his penalty brilliantly turned around the post for a '45'.

It was an action-packed encounter with plenty of scores and goal-mouth action with both keepers Nestor and Graham Brody having busy afternoons.

Portlaoise were left to rue not alone the missed penalty but 13 wides while Crokes were far more economical in turning opportunities into scores.

A Craig Rogers goal in the 46th minute brought the sides level, 1-14 to 3-8, but Crokes replied with points from Pat Burke, Paul Mannion (both frees) and a great point by Andrew McGowan.

Crokes now face Longford champions Mullinalaghta in the provincial decider after they totally outclassed Carlow's Eire Og in their semi-final, the Barrowsiders finishing the game with 12 men following three dismissals.

Crokes made a great start with a Callum Pearson point and superb Dara Mullin goal inside the opening three minutes, Mullins' pace carving through Portlaoise defence before cleverly rounding Brody and finishing to the net.

A minute later Nestor came to Crokes rescue when he denied Kieran Lillis but could do nothing in the fifth minute when Gareth Dillon scrambled the ball to the net after Liam Flatman did well to save his original attempt sprinting backwards on the line.

Kilmacud reacted well to the concession of that goal with points from Pearson, Pat Burke, Paul Mannion and Craig Dias.

However, a mix up in the Crokes defence with Cian O'Sullivan under great pressure fumbling a short Nestor kickout let Paul Cahillane in for a clincal side-footed finish to the net.

With ten minutes to go in the first-half Cian O'Connor scored a fine point after some great off-the-ball running to lead 1-10 to 2-2 and by the interval it as 1-11 to 2-5.

Kilmacud Crokes will now play Mullinalaghta (Longford) in the Leinster SFC Final on Sunday 9th December in Bord na Mona O'Connor Park, throw-in at 1.30pm.

SCORERS – Kilmacud Crokes: D Mullin 1-2, P Mannion 0-5 (0-2f), P Burke (0-1f), C Pearson 0-3 each, A McGowan, C O’Connor, C Dias, S Horan 0-1 each. Portlaoise: P Cahillane 1-3 (0-1f), G Dillon, C Rogers 1-0 each, B Glynn, K Lillis, C Boyle, B McCormack, R Maher 0-1 each.

KILMACUD CROKES: D Nestor; L Flatman, A McGowan, R McGowan; C O’Connor, C O’Shea, C O’Sullivan; C Dias, C Casey; S Cunningham, S Horan, C Pearson; P Burke, D Mullin, P Mannion. Subs: A Jones for R McGowan (inj, 36), K Dyas for Horan (47), T Fox for Cunningham (55), S Williams for Mullin (inj, 62), R Ryan for Jones (bc, 62); C Dias (bc, 63).

PORTLAOISE: G Brody; F Flanagan, C Finn, D Seale; C Finn, C Healy, D Holland; C McEvoy, K Lillis; G Dillon, C Boyle, B Glynn; P Cahillane, B McCormack, R Maher. Subs: C Rogers for Maher (36), S Lawless for McCormack (47), A Rafter for Glynn (55), C Finn for Holland (58)

REF: D Coldrick (Meath).