CUS ... 18 St Columba's Coll ... 7: CUS qualified for a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny College thanks to a late burst, in the final quarter, of this Leinster Schools, Fr Godfrey Junior Cup, second round clash at Sydney Parade yesterday.

This was a closely fought affair with CUS leading 3-0 thanks to a penalty from outhalf Niall McInerney, undoubtedly the man-of-the-match, at half-time.

St Columba's came out with heads high in the second half and their blind side flanker, Warren Evans, blasted a hole through the CUS defence for a textbook, pre-planned move in the 37th minute. Full back Julian Cafolla converted for a 7-3 lead.

It was anyone's game until McInerney took it by the scruff of the neck when his quick thinking undid the St Columba's defence in the 45th minute.

This try was followed by another eight minutes later when, once again, CUS opted to run a kickable penalty. Hooker Steffano Molle barged over for McInerney to convert and the outhalf added a penalty minutes from the final whistle.

CUS: R Buckley; C O'Reilly, C Doyle, G Cowzer, E Lyons; N McInerney, E Stanley; P Lynch, S Molle, E Hession, C Currie, A Beakey, C Hendrick, R McAuley, C Kane. Replacements: C Dillon for Stanley (half-time).

ST COLUMBA'S COLLEGE: J Cafolla; S Crawford, P Kam, O Harrison, C Cousans; A Philpot, A Mitchell; C Erwin, P Wardell, N Grumbley, J Warren, B Dunne, W Evans, J Moore, B Rhodes-Vivour. Replacements: A Dean for Crawford (51 mins); K Harrison for Warren (52 mins);

Referee: J Montayne (Leinster Branch).