COLLEGES GAA/St Muredach's - 1-11; St Mary's - 0-6: A resolute defensive performance, along with some accurate shooting from Adrian Kelly and John Walsh, saw St Muredach's ease past Galway side St Mary's at Hale Park, Castlebar, yesterday to book a semi-final date with champions St Jarlath's in the Connacht Colleges senior A football championship.

The Ballina school were superior in the first half and led 1-6 to 0-3 at the break. Seán Rafter deflected the ball into the net in the 19th minute for the only goal of the match.

Points from Alan Egan and John Walsh had put St Muredach's in control before Angus Callinan opened St Mary's account in the 16th minute. By the 20th minute St Muredach's were five points clear, Gary Rogan and Jonathan Martyn getting the other first-half points for St Mary's.

The Galway side pressed for a second-half goal, but some superb defending by Muredach's, and a fine save from goalkeeper Derek Butler, frustrated their efforts.

St Muredach's, despite struggling in the second period, finished strongly with two points from Kelly pushing them seven points clear with 15 minutes remaining.

_{ST MUREDACH'S: D Butler; M Rafter, A Judge, B McShane; S O'Donnell, S Melia, J Burke; G Higgins, E Healy; S Rafter (1-0), S McCarron (0-1), K McCarron; A Kelly (0-5), A Egan, J Walsh (0-4). Sub: F. Kelly (0-1) for Rafter.}

_{ST MARY'S: R Hannon; C Bohan, G Begley, C Glynn; N McDonachadha, M Silke, F Cox; A Cullinan (0-3), B Shaw; P Morley, G Rogan (0-1), M Lydon (0-1); D Folan, R Grant, J Martyn (0-1). Subs: S Canavan for McDonachadha.}

_{Referee: T Murphy (Garrymore).}