GOOD COUNSEL, New Ross survived a punishing third quarter before emerging with a seven-point victory over arch rivals St Peter's College, Wexford in the Leinster Colleges senior football championship A final at New Ross yesterday.

St Peter's started well with a Chris McGrath goal in the sixth minute. But they were unable to capitalise on their opportunities as an under-strength Good Counsel side kept themselves in contention mainly through the brilliant midfield play of David Shannon.

Despite the absence of key players Leigh O'Brien and Philip Wallace through injury, Good Counsel still managed to produce enough flashes in the opening half to gain an interval lead of a point, 1-3 to 1-2. The goal was a brilliant individual solo effort from Paul Sheehan five minutes before the break.

Immediately on the resumption Shannon added a fine point for Good Counsel but St Peter's hit back with points from Ross Dunphy and James Murray to bring the sides level (1-4 each) nine minutes into the half.

Despite those fine points St Peter's were unable to turn their third-quarter supremacy into scores. Suddenly Shannon took control of proceedings, kicking three points without reply.

While St Peter's had a lot of play they rushed their finish, and they paid the penalty as the defending champions stepped up their game in the closing 10 minutes. Points from Michael Sinnott, Paul Sheehan and Jonathan Fitzharris edged them into a four-point lead before a Shannon goal from a penalty one minute from the end secured their All-Ireland semi-final meeting with the Ulster champions.