SCHOOLS RUGBY: St Michael's College...21  Cistercian College...3 Four first-half tries ushered St Michael's College to a quarter-final victory at Donnybrook yesterday.

Cistercian College, Roscrea fought doggedly in the second period, but never threatened to overhaul their opponents.

An early try by winger Gary Clarke, converted by Oliver Cleary, set St Michael's on their way, although Thomas Garvey replied with a penalty for Roscrea.

A faster and wittier St Michael's back line then assumed control, their clever scrumhalf, David Rowan, setting up numerous opportunities.

St Michael's second try came courtesy of an incisive break by full back Frank Kearney, Cleary again converting.

He was off-target, however, following the best try of the game, a fine individual effort from the halfway line by number eight Ronan O'Connor.

Stylish outhalf Andrew Cummiskey and wing forward Kevin Feeney then combined to give St Michael's 24-3 half-time lead.

A second try from Clarke after the break, converted by Cleary, brought St Michael's total to 31, although Roscrea held them at bay for most of the second period.

Most of Roscrea's players will be eligible for junior cup rugby next year, when the Tipperary school will be fancied to improve significantly on this year's impressive run.

ST MICHAEL'S: F Kearney: J Power, D McGowan, O Cleary, G Clarke; A Cummiskey, D Rowan; D Mahoney, K Sheahan (capt), R Burke Flynn, J Gary, E Sherlock, K Feeney, E Lowe, R O'Connor, Replacements: B O'Brien for Kearney, M Twomey for Cummiskey, P Burke for Rowan, N Murphy for Mahoney, K Coleman for Sherlock, R O'Hanrahan for Feeney.

CISTERCIAN COLLEGE - T Breen, D McGuinness, K Fulham, J Carroll, P O'Brien, T Garvey, J McCarthy, A O'Keeffe, D McDonnell, A Thompson, N O'Donoghue, M Staunton, B Murphy, L Tierney, A McIntyre capt . Replacements: P Henry for Staunton, C Egan for McDonnell, N McCarthy for Murphy, G Delahunty for McCarthy.

Referee: W Sheridan, (Leinster)