A spirited Portlaoise comeback was not enough as Rhode progressed to the Leinster club football semi-finals with a narrow win in Tullamore. At O'Connor Park in Tullamore clinical finishing from Offaly champions Rhode ensured they held out for a two-point win by 2-9 to 1-10 over Portlaoise. First half goals from Pascal Kellaghan and Niall Darby help Rhode to a 2-5 to 1-4 interval lead, with a Craig Rogers 25th minute goal keeping Portlaoise in touch. Despite the efforts of Brian McCormack, who kicked four second half points, Portlaoise were guilty of seven second half wides, which ultimately cost them victory. Rhode will have to wait for their semi-final opponents after Carlow's Éire Óg and Colmcille of Longford drew 2-4 to 0-10 after extra-time in a dower encounter at Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow. Rhode - C Masterson; J Kilmurray, S Sullivan, D Murphy; E Byrne 0-1, C Heavey, B Darby; P Sullivan 0-1, A McNamee; N Darby 1-2, R Malone 0-1, G O'Connell; G Hickey, P Kelleghan 1-0, N McNamee 0-3. Subs - D Hope for Kilmurray, P Glennon for Hickey, A Sullivan 0-1 for Malone, J Kavanagh for O'Connell. Portlaoise - M Nolan; M McNulty, C Healy, A Fennelly; C Lillis, B Mulligan 0-1, T Fitzgerald; B McCormack 0-4, K Fitzpatrick; C Rogers 1-0, Z Tuohy 0-3, S Cotter; P McNulty, C Parkinson 0-1, B Fitzgerald 0-1. Subs - S McManus for Cotter, C Boyle for McManus. Ref - P Fox (Westmeath). Tweet

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