Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 0-23 Rathdowney Errill (Laois) 0-22
Sean McGrath filled the captain fantastic role for Dublin side Kilmacud Crokes who came good after extra-time to advance beyond Laois' Rathdowney-Errill in the Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship with a 0-23 to 0-22 success.
The free-taker helped himself to 15 points at Parnell Park, a haul that included three crucial scores in the extra period to eventually see off the stubborn Laois champions.
Crokes might have sealed victory in normal time when they led by four with six minutes remaining but were suckered by a late rally from Rathdowney-Errill who were superbly led by Ross King, who hit 0-13.
Ollie Baker's side eventually edged an entertaining contest though and advance to play the Kilkenny representatives in the semi-finals on 23 November.
The visitors were aiming for just their second ever win in the provincial club championship after losing four of their previous five matches.
But they came into the tie with confidence after hammering Camross in the county final to secure their second Laois crown in three seasons.
Crokes' second title in three seasons came the harder way as they required extra-time that evening too to see off St Jude's.
It was nip and tuck early on at Parnell Park with the sides level five times up to 0-06 apiece after 22 minutes.
But as Crokes upped the pressure they finally put some significant daylight between the sides and led 0-11 to 0-07 at half-time.
McGrath was their key man and helped himself to nine points in the first-half, eight from frees.
He was excellent in open play also and laid on the final pass for a Barry O'Rorke point and won the free that he converted to close out the first-half scoring.
Rathdowney looked to their own free-taker, full-forward King, to lead them in attack. He shot five first-half points with four of those coming from placed balls.
The picture could have been brighter for the Laois men though King and Paddy Purcell both missed good goal scoring opportunities.
Still, they came roaring into the game with a power packed third quarter display.
King continued to be their talisman with four more important points while Tadhg Dowling picked off two to leave Crokes just 0-14 to 0-13 ahead.
Crokes thought they'd finally took control off the game with three points on the trot to lead 0-17 to 0-13 with 54 minutes on the clock.
But Rathdowney points from Ross and Darren King and another from Purcell tied up at 0-17 apiece and forced extra-time.
McGrath added three more converted frees while former county player Ross O'Carroll opened his account with a point.
And despite being outscored by 0-03 to 0-02 in the second-half of extra-time the Glenalbyn men just about held on to progress to the province's last four.
Kilmacud Crokes: M Collins, N Corcoran, Rory O'Carroll, J Clinton, C MacGabhann, J Dougan, B O'Carroll, D Mulligan, D Kelly (0-01), Ross O'Carroll (0-01), R O'Dwyer (0-01), J Sweeney, C Conway (0-03, 1f), S McGrath (0-15, 13f, 1 65), B O'Rorke (0-01).
Subs: R Murphy for B O'Carroll, B Mulligan for MacGabhann, O O'Rorke for B O'Rorke, C Clinton (0-01) for B Mulligan, J Burke for D Mulligan, P Bergin for McGrath.
Rathdowney-Errill: N Brennan, A Delaney, B Campion, J Corrigan, J Fitzpatrick, P Mahon, L O'Connell, S Dollard, P Purcell (0-02), J Purcell (0-02), J Ryan, E Meagher (0-01), M Kavanagh, R King (0-13, 10f), T Dowling (0-02).
Subs: D Bowe for Ryan, D King (0-01) for Meagher, L Tynan for Kavanagh, Kavanagh for D King, E Burke (0-01) for Tynan.
Referee: P O'Dwyer (Carlow).
