Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes conceded two quick-fire early goals but still came out on top (2-7 to 2-4) against hosts Portlaoise in their Leinster senior club championship clash at O'Moore Park.

Without injured county players Paul Griffin and Darren Magee, the south Dublin side made it difficult for themselves by conceding two goals inside the first ten minutes.

The hosts' opening major came from the boot of former Celtic player Paul Cahillane who fired home a penalty after a foul on Brian Glynn.

The second goal for Portlaoise came from a Tommy Fitzgerald flick to the net after Cahillane dropped a 45 short of the post.

Portlaoise managed just two points in the remaining 50 minutes whereas Kilmacud notched 2-6 to edge home by three points.

A goal from Craig Dias in the 22nd minute kicked off the Crokes' fightback and by half-time they trailed by just a single goal, 2-3 to 1-3.

Substitute Mark Vaughan went onto draw the Dubs' level with a sideline kick before a 58th minute goal from Declan Kelleher sealed the victory for the impressive Metropolitans.

Kilmacud Crokes - D Nestor; K Nolan, Ross O'Carroll, C Lamb; C O'Sullivan, B McGrath, R Ryan; N Corkery, P Duggan; L Óg Ó hEineacháin, D Kelleher (1-1), A Morrissey; B O'Rorke (0-1, free), B Kavanagh (0-3, all frees), P Burke (0-1). Subs: C Dias (1-0) for Corkery (19 mins), M Vaughan (0-1, free) for O'Rorke (41 mins), R Cosgrove for Morrissey (50 mins).

Portlaoise - M Nolan; E Bland, C Healy, B Mulligan; K Lillis, H Coghlan, C Boyle; A Kelly, B McCormack; P Cahillane (1-1, 1-0 pen), T Fitzgerald (1-0), C Rogers (0-1); K Fitzpatrick, B Glynn (0-1), B Fitzgerald (0-1). Subs: S Nerney for Kelly (46 mins), J Fennell for Fitzpatrick (55 mins), E Browne for Cahillane (60 mins).

Ref: C Reilly (Meath) Tweet

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