Calasanctius Oranmore 9 Marist Athlone 12:MARIST ATHLONE survived a tough encounter against hosts Calasanctius Oranmore to advance to the semi-final yesterday.

The Athlone school grabbed the lead late in the second half with the second of two tries to edge a highly-competitive quarter-final.

Calasanctius will feel they left this game behind after playing most of the rugby.

Although Marist struck for a 14th-minute try from fullback Robert Henshaw, who broke through two tacklers to score in the left corner, Calasanctius’ superiority at the breakdown and the lineout provided the Galway school with several penalties.

Fullback Jonathan Kelleher struck three of five long-range penalties to give his side a 9-5 lead at the break, but a midfield turnover provided Marist with some rare second-half territorial control.

Number eight Michael Daly was unlucky to knock-on after twice hacking on the ball and winning the race to the line.

But Marist took the opportunity minutes later when left wing and captain Conor Fitzgibbon crashed over.

Outhalf Ben Carty converted to give Marist a narrow victory.

CALASANCTIUS ORANMORE: J Kelleher; M Kavanagh, R Burke, P O’Donnell, B O’Connell; D Joyce, R O’Donnell; C Folan, S Dunne, E Breen, D Greene, B Huxford, P Hackett, E Grealish, S O’Brien. Replacements: C Considine for Breen, C Folan for Huxford (both 47 mins), K Finneran for O’Connell, M Daly for Grealish (both 60 mins), Huxford for Folan (61 mins).

MARIST ATHLONE: R Henshaw; E Maher, C Seery, R Sheridan, C Fitzgibbon; B Carty, B Digby; B Teape, S Flanagan, S Meunargia, K Cooper, TH Thornton, S Ryan, E Kelly, M Digby. Replacements: R Corcoran for Maher (47 mins), C Langdon for Kelly (52 mins).

Referee: LD Flood (Connacht).