Clinical Quinn makes all the difference as St Vincent’s book their Leinster final place

St Vincent's 1-14 Summerhill 1-10

Club football in November is not meant to be played like this. We expect exhibitions in the ordinary – not in energy and flair.

That St Vincent’s eventually won through to the Leinster final in a fortnight’s time ultimately reflected their marginally superior quality; that they did it without Ger Brennan and Diarmuid Connolly – both suspended – reflected their superior quantity of it, too.

And yet Summerhill made them work exceptionally hard for it, and may well have won themselves were in not for the uncontainable Tomás Quinn.

In finishing with 1-8 Quinn not only swung the result in favour of the Dublin champions’ but hinted at the potential for more, especially with both Brennan and Connolly back on board for the final against Portlaoise, set for Tullamore, on Sunday week.

The tempo never let up and neither did the excitement: it was also played in a good spirit and even though Summerhill were just a point behind midway through the second half, they just couldn’t quite retain the momentum in their favour for long enough, with Quinn wrapping up his masterly performance with the final insurance score of the game.

"Playing big games at this time of the year, our first time in years, is great, so enjoyable, and better than sitting at home watching the rugby," said Quinn.

More impressive
"And you play football to play in big games, to take responsibility and try to make an impact and help your team win. I have always tried to do that."

Quinn’s display was all the more impressive given the fact he had to boldly work his way into the game: Summerhill corner back Davy Dalton certainly had the better of him in their opening exchanges, before Quinn slowly but surely cut loose – brilliantly finishing the St Vincent’s goal on 24 minutes with a sublime left-footed strike across the face of the goal and into the right corner, after being set up by Ciaran Dorney.

“Obviously Mossy has proved to be a big thorn in people’s sides to date and was so again there,” said Summerhill manager Declan McCabe. “He just seems to make more space on the ball than other people on the field. I suppose that comes with experience. He’s been there before, done that.”

Quinn’s eight points included three frees and one 45 and three of those game in quick succession at the start of the second half as St Vincent’s eased into a 1-10 to 0-7 lead.

Ruairí Trainer also chipped in with a point each in either half and Gavin Burke had two of his own, too.

Summerhill actually started the better and enjoyed a three-point lead on 20 minutes.

Not long after, however, injury struck centre-back Alan Lyons – son of Meath legend Mick – and that definitely unhinged their defence. Quinn’s goal came just moments after Lyons was forced off, and the Meath champions were essentially chasing the game from then on.

Still, with Conor Gillispie lording things in midfield, and David Larkin and Brian Ennis hungry for every ball, they never gave up. When Paul Ripsin flicked Sean Dalton's long ball into the St Vincent's net on 36 minutes they were back in the thick of it, although a couple of bad wides did them no favours. Gillispie, who also struck two excellent points, pushed forward towards the end but the goal they required didn't come.
ST VINCENT'S: D Jordon; K Bonnie, J Curley, H Gill; C Diamond, B Egan, M Concarr; D Murphy, E Fennell (0-1); G Burke (0-2), A Baxter, S Carty (0-1); R Trainor (0-2), C Dorney, T Quinn (1-8, three frees, one 45). Subs: K Golden for Baxter (38 mins), Tiernan Diamond for Dorney (49 mins), N Mullins for Burke (52 mins).

SUMMERHILL: T McDonnell; D Dalton, Caolan Young, W Ryan; P Geraghty, A Lyons, S Husband; C Gillispie (0-2), M Byrne (0-1, a free); D Larkin (0-1), B Ennis (0-3, all frees), A Kenny (0-1); P Rispin (1-0); S Dalton (0-2), B Dardis. Subs: R Hatton for Lyons (23 mins, inj), S Kennedy for Dardis (56 mins), P Jennings for Geraghty (59 mins).

Referee: Eddie Kinsella (Laois).