St Brigid's defeated Portlaoise in a thrilling Leinster club SFC semi-final by 2-16 to 1-15 after extra time at Parnell Park.

This was an enthralling contest that could have went either way, but Brigid's, who despite playing an awful lot of football over the last six weeks finished the stronger and progress to the Leinster final where they will meet Westmeath champions Garrycastle.

The large crowd were not disappointed as both sides produced some fantastic football early on and there was nothing to separate the sides throughout.

Portlaoise were dealt a blow before the match when their impressive captain Craig Rogers was ruled out through injury and he was replaced by Adrian Kelly in the starting line up.

After five minutes, the sides were level at 0-2 each as Hugh Coughlin and Brian McCormack points were cancelled out by similar scores from Cian Mullins and a Ken Darcy free. The Portlaoise got through for the opening goal in the 12th minute when Colm Parkinson fired home.

However, the impressive Paddy Andrews hauled St Brigid's back into the match as the sides traded points for the remainder of the half. The energetic John O'Loughlin hit a brace as did Andrews to leave the score 1-6 each at half time.

In the second half three long range points by Adrian Kelly wee cancelled out three by St Brigid's as Andrews (2) and substitute Lorcan McCarthy gave St Brigid's the perfect reply. Both sides exchanged points for the remainder of the half and when Barry Cahill raced through to point in stoppage time, it looked as if the Dublin champions were going through to the Leinster final.

However, Portlaoise were offered a reprieve when they were awarded a free and Barry Fitzgerald held his nerve to convert from 40 yards out to send the game into extra time, with the score 1-13 each.

Even during the first period of extra time, the sides were inseparable and with just three minutes of the second half played, it was 1-15 each as Ian Fitzgerald and Brian McCormack points were cancelled out by similar scores from Paddy Andrews and Mark Cahill.

Ken Darcy then put St Brigid's into the lead with three minutes remaining, but Portlaoise pushed for an equalizer and many thought they had won a free in, but a free for over carrying was awarded. St Brigid's went down the field and good work by McCarthy saw Philly Ryan through on goal and he fired to the back of the net to bring an end to this enthralling contest.

St Brigid's: S Supple; A Daly (0-1), Martin Cahill, G Norton; C Freeman, S Murray, G Kane; B Cahill (0-1), J O'Loughlin (0-2); C Mullins (0-1), P Andrews (1-4), Mark Cahill (0-2, frees); K Kilmurray, K Darcy (0-4, three frees), P Ryan (1-0). Subs: L McCarthy (0-1) for Freeman (33 mins), O McCann for Kilmurray (45 mins), D Plunkett for Mark Cahill (74 mins).

Portlaoise: M Nolan; T Fitzgerald, K Fitzpatrick, B Mulligan; K Lillis, C Healy, C Boyle; H Coghlan (0-1), B Glynn; B McCormack (0-4), A Kelly (0-4), C Parkinson (1-0); P Cahillane (0-3, frees), B Fitzgerald (0-1, free), B Smith. Subs: C Rogers (0-1) for Parkinson (42 mins), E Bland for Fitzgerald (55 mins), I Fitzgerald (0-1) for Smith (58 mins), Parkinson for Kelly (61 mins).

Ref: C Reilly (Meath) Tweet

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