Moorefield’s reign as Leinster champions was brought to an end by Portlaoise in Newbridge today.

The visitors finished with three points (1-14 to 1-11) to spare over the holders.

A dominant first-half showing helped Portlaoise take a 1-8 to 0-4 lead into the break and they had enough in reserve to withstand a second-half Moorefield rally.

Craig Rogers netted their goal in the opening period but that was cancelled out by Niall Hurley Lynch early in the second-half.

Scores from captain Paul Cahillane – who finished with 0-7 (four from play) to his name – helped Portlaoise overcome that set-back.

Moorefield kept pressing but were unable to engineer a much-needed second goal and it’s the Laois standard bearers who will travel to Parnell Park for a semi-final meeting with Kilmacud Crokes.

Portlaoise - G Brody; F Flanagan, D Seale, Chris Finn; Colin Finn, C Healy, D Holland; C McEvoy, C Boyle; C Rogers (1-2, 0-1f), K Lillis (0-1), G Dillon (0-1); P Cahillane (0-7, 3f), B McCormack (0-2), R Maher (0-1). Subs: B Glynn for C Rogers, S Lawless for R Maher.

Moorefield - T Corley; L Callaghan, L Healy, M Dempsey; K Murnaghan, A Durney, J Murray; D Flynn, A Masterson; C O’Connor, E Heavey (0-2), E O’Connor (0-4, 1f); A Tyrrell (0-2f), R Sweeney (0-2), N Hurley Lynch (1-1). Subs: I Meehan for D Flynn, I McDonnell for T Corley, S Healy for K Murnaghan, J Phillips for C O’Connor, M McDermott for E Heavey, A Mullins for N Hurley Lynch.

Referee - B Tiernan.

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