Just when it seemed that St Patrick's of Navan were about to release their grip on their All-Ireland colleges title at Limerick yesterday, coach Colm O'Rourke pulled off a master stroke which left Colaiste na Sceilge reeling.

With just 10 minutes remaining, the Kerry boys had built a three-point advantage and were looking the part for a place in the decider. O'Rourke gambled by moving midfielder Darren O'Toole to full forward and inside four minutes he had turned the game in his side's favour.

O'Toole was involved in the build-up to the game's opening goal from Joe Sheridan on 54 minutes and, within a further two, emerged as hero when he fisted a high ball past goalkeeper Brian Sheehan. Colaiste na Sceilge responded with a point from Joe Corridan, but it was too little too late.

In the opening half, which was played at a very fast pace, the scores were level on four occasions after Adrian Breen and Sean Courtney had opened an early two-point lead for the losers.

It was Courtney who put them back in front at the start of the second half, leaving it to David Murtagh to level. Jeremiah O'Shea and substitute Simon O'Connor then exchanged further points.

Colaiste na Sceilge were preparing to celebrate victory after they edged in front 0-10 to 0-7, but Darren O'Toole and Joe Sheridan spoiled the party for them.

St Patrick's Navan: S Murray; I Matthews, K Slattery, G Brennan; P Quinn, S Stephens, E O'Donoghue; D O'Toole (1-1), D Sheridan; G Regan, J Sheridan (1-2), R Penny; D Murtagh (0-1), P Treacy (0-1), A Gillick (0-1). Subs: S O'Connor (0-1) for Gillick J Friel for Penny.

Colaiste Na Sceilge: B Sheehan; A O'Connor C O'Malley, C Granfield; W O'Sullivan, P Sheehan, D O'Connell; A Breen (0-1), D Fenton; K Cronin, S Fogarty (0-1), S Courtney (0-4); J O'Shea (0-2), D O'Sullivan (0- 1), J Corridan (0-2).

Referee: L Seely (Mayo).

SFC `B'/All-Ireland quarterfinal