ALL-IRELAND IHC SEMI-FINALS: Dicksboro 0-16 St John's 1-9:DICKSBORO WERE made to fight all the way to eke out a narrow but deserved win over a gallant St John's side in the All-Ireland club intermediate hurling semi-final at Cusack Park, Mullingar yesterday.

With corner forward Brian McFall in fine form, St John’s gave as good as they got in the first half.

McFall’s probing delivery led to a scrambled goal from Liam Boyle after 20 minutes which helped the Ulster men lead 1-6 to 0-7 at the break.

Two points within a minute of the resumption from Ollie Walsh and Martin Gaffney levelled the contest and Gaffney went on to star in the second half, finishing with a personal tally of 11 points, including a few superb strikes from play. Cillian Starr’s point finally gave Dicksboro a lead they never looked likely to relinquish.

DICKSBORO:S Morrissey; D Glynn, K Cuddihy, P Hogan; M Fagan, D Kenny, E Malone; D O'Gorman, C O'Loughlin; P O'Flynn (0-1), M Gaffney (0-11, six frees), O Walsh (0-2); A Stapleton (0-1), S Maher, C Starr (0-1). Subs:K Nolan for O'Loughlin (47 mins), T. Manning for Maher (52 mins).

ST JOHN'S:C Cunningham; C Gannon, M O'Neill, C Morgan; L Knocker, S McCrory (0-1), A McGowan; G Clarke, C McFall; G Cunningham, Barry McFall, S Tierney; L Boyle (1-0), N McCallin (0-1), Brian McFall (0-7, three frees, one sideline, one 65). Subs:M Lyons for Knocker (25 mins), C McStein for Tierney (inj, 39 mins), J Savage for Boyle (45), J Mead for McCallin (59).

Referee:F Smith (Meath).