Updated today at 4.20pm

2012 LEINSTER COLLEGES senior football champions St Mary’s of Edenderry are into the semi-finals of this year’s competition after a seven point win over Knockbeg College in Carbury this afternoon.

It was the Offaly school that took control early on racing into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead midway through the first half and went into the break well in control 0-10 to 0-2. However, Knockbeg will be left to rue a missed penalty from Glen Pullen just before the break that could have swung momentum in their favour.

While the Carlow school put on a better display in front of the goalposts in the second half, they failed to create any goal chances and it is St. Mary’s who will go on to face Dundalk or Newbridge in the semi-finals on a scoreline of 0-15 to 0-8.

In the day’s other quarter-final, 29-times champions St. Mel’s of Longford reached their first provincial semi-final in 11 years with a narrow victory over Scoil Aodhain Glasnevin.

The Longford school held a commanding half-time lead of 1-6 to 0-2 thanks to Shane Thompson’s goal. However, the Dublin side fought back in the second half to draw level with just minutes remaining.

Not to be denied though, Robbie O’Connell held his nerve over a late free to kick the winning point with just two minutes left on the clock to give St. Mel’s a 1-7 to 0-9 win.

Yesterday, Rochestown College made it back-to-back Dr. Harty Cup semi-final appearances with a four-point victory over Nenagh CBS in Charleville.

Following narrow defeat in the final four last year, the Cork school started the game the quicker of the two sides with Liam O’Sullivan raising the green flag in the very first minute.

Nenagh recovered quickly though and were ahead inside five minutes, Anthony Walsh finding the back of the net for the Tipperary school.

However, another maximum from Paddy Lynch sent Rochestown into the break with a 2-3 to 1-4 lead.

A goal from wing-forward Ciaran Cormack after 38 minutes stretched Rochestown’s lead to five points and, despite a late goal from Nenagh, they were unable to close the gap so it is the Cork side that advances to the semi-finals on a  3-9 to 2-8 scoreline.

Results

Leinster Colleges Senior Football Championship semi-finals
St Mary’s Edenderry 0-15 – 0-8 Knockbeg College
St Mel’s Longford 1-7 – 0-9 Scoil Aodhain Glasnevin

Dr. Harty Cup quarter-final
Rochestown College 3-9 – 2-8 Nenagh CBS

Originally published 15 January at 4pm.

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