St Mary's, Dundalk, scraped through yesterday to the next round of the Leinster schools senior cup with a one point win over neighbours De La Salle at Dundalk Rugby club's Mill Road ground.

De La Salle had a try disallowed in a scoreless first period but took a deserved lead minutes into the second period when Fergal Grant scored a try and Barry Finnegan converted.

St Mary's centre Kenny Wilson made the opening for Gareth Kelly to score a try which was converted by Fergus Griffin to level the match.

Then two penalties put St Mary's in front but De La Salle responded when David Garvey got their second try. Then with time running out Barry Finnegan saw his penalty from about 25 metres hit a post and bounce wide just as the referee blew full time.

St Mary's: M McManus; J P Gilbourne, S Fairclough, K Wilson, B Finnegan; C McCarthy, F Griffin; D Coburn, C O'Rourke, G Maddy, C Boylan, D O'Callaghan, G Kelly, K Fearon, G Byrne (capt).

De La Salle: A Brennan; A Byrne, K Barry, S Walsh, D Garvey; B Finnegan, F Grant; N Puyanc, J Goreham, J Fee, C McCabe, C McCabe, M Dorrian, J Thornton, G McConville (capt).

Referee: F Close (Clontarf RFC).