St Vincent’s find scoring touch to book SFC1 last-eight spot (Group 3)

DUBLIN SFC1 GROUP 3 ROUND 3

ST VINCENT’S 2-16 CLONTARF 0-11

St Vincent’s progressed to the Dublin SFC1 last-eight with this victory over Clontarf in Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

The Marino club, who lead the Dublin SFC Roll of Honour, join Ballyboden St Enda’s in the quarter-finals from this group – St Enda’s, who had already booked their last-eight berth, defeated Whitehall Colmcille 4-22 to 1-10 earlier in O’Toole Park.

Vincent’s had too much movement and energy for their opponents who were missing the presence and forward drive of Jack McCaffrey owing to injury.

The Brian Mullins-managed team laid the platform for their victory in the opening half and they had established a 1-11 to 0-6 lead by the interval.

Two Tomás Quinn scores, one a free, as well as scores from Mark L’Estrange and Diarmuid Connolly with Kieran McKeon scoring for Clontarf left Vinnies 0-4 to 0-1 up inside ten minutes.

Check out the highlights from @StVincentsGAA1’s #DSFC1 win over @ClontarfGAAClub this evening: pic.twitter.com/OhgHP0sGun

— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) August 15, 2020

With Seán Lambe breaking forward with great timing both Seán Lowry and Greg Murphy lively on the inside forward line Vincent’s continued to hold the upperhand.

Before the break points from Greg Murphy and two Tomás Quinn frees, with Kevin Lillis kicking a good score for Clontarf, making it 0-9 to 0-3 by the water break.

Before the interval Greg Murphy fired to the ‘Tarf net following good combination play ignited by a brilliantly weighted pass from Diarmuid Connolly to Shane Carthy on the move, all this coming after Tomás Quinn had dispossessed Chris Barrett and then shown battling soccer skillls to get the ball out of the congestion on the deck. 

Vincent’s had other goal opportunities with keeper Ross O’Hanlon denying Diarmuid Connolly from close range.

Two minutes into the second-half Vincent’s settled the outcome when Dublin U20 panellist, Seán Lowry, found the net after unselfish play from Mark L’Estrange.

Clontarf rallied with points from Andy Foley and a Nathan Doran free but there was no way back as the game petered out.

Nathan Mullins was sent off on a double-yellow card towards the finish with Ross O'Hanlon making a fine save to deny Greg Murphy his second goal in the 58th minute.

Ger Brennan was introduced as a late sub in the second half making his comeback after temporarily 'retiring' last season with Craig McConnell getting a late consolation score for Clontarf.

SCORERS – St Vincent’s: T Quinn 0-8 (0-7f), G Murphy 1-2, S Lowry 1-0, S Carthy 0-2, M L’Estrange, E Fennell, D Connolly, G Burke 0-1 each. Clontarf: N Doran 0-5 (0-5f), K McKeon, A Foley 0-2 each, K Lillis, C McConnell 0-1 each.

ST VINCENT’S: M Savage; Conor O’Brien, J Curley, C Wilson; S Lambe, C Diamond, M L’Estrange; E Fennell, N Mullins; A Martin, D Connolly, S Carthy; G Murphy, S Lowry, T Quinn. Subs: A Giblin for Fennell (25), G Burke for Martin (ht), M Concarr for Conor O’Brien (ht), Cian O’Brien for Connolly (42), G Brennan for Lambe (50).

CLONTARF: R O’Hanlon; L Howley, C Doran, D Monaghan; S Walsh, C Barrett, F O’Byrne; A Foley, M Walsh; S O’Quigley, N Doran, F Dodd; K McKeon, M MacDonncha, K Lillis. Subs: B Berney for O’Byrne (35), C Cronin for Walsh (35), J McDonagh for Dodd (43), C McConnell for MacDonncha (55), C Kyne for S Walsh (57).

REF: L Lacey (Na Fianna).