Left-wing Mark Byrne produced a virtuoso display in scoring all his side's points as HFDLS, Skerries, defeated Marian College in a closely fought Leinster Schools Senior Cup Section A semi-final at Westmanstown yesterday.

Byrne grabbed three tries as the Skerries back line showed attacking imagination and defensive courage that their opponents could not match despite controlling large sections of the play, especially in the first half.

Marian started the stronger and might have done more with their territory and possession before Byrne got the first of his tries after eight minutes. A double missed move routed the ball quickly to the speedy winger, who evaded the flailing arms of a number of Marian players before touching down under the posts.

Byrne kicked the conversion himself as he did a few minutes later after he had completed another not dissimilar move that left the Marian defence trailing.

Number eight Glen Trehy was the Marian pillar of strength in the scrum and he fittingly got his side's only score, crashing over from a line-out on the Skerries line after 18 minutes. The conversion was missed but Marian were back in it after half-time with the scoreline at 14-5.

Try as they might, Marian could made no impression on the scoreboard in the second half and it was plain sailing for Skerries once Byrne had completed the scoring with another darting run after 51 minutes to guarantee his side a place in the Section A final against Mount Temple.

HFDLS, Skerries: A McGuinness; C Ryan, F Glennon, P O'Sullivan, M Byrne; J Ryan, J Reid; N Walsh, S Boylan, J Garrigan, B Byrne, R Keane, R Connolly, N Bolger, E Grundy.

Marian College: N Cassidy; D Prior, D Walsh, G Lawless, N O'Donovan; C Daly, M Egan; W O'Brien, A Allan, S Healy, D Langan, L Magee, D O'Reilly, E Meier (capt), G Trehy. Replacement: R Russell for Trehy

Referee: T Duncan.