St Mary's will meet UCC in the semi-finals of the Sigerson Cup after both sides recorded extra-time victories yesterday, while UCD also progressed to the last four after a comfortable win over University of Ulster at Jordanstown.
Belfast college St Mary's relied on a team effort led by Tyrone forward Cathal McShane as they upset hosts and pre-match favourites DCU-Dóchas Éireann, 2-14 to 2-13.
The home side, who boasted talent including Mayo pair Patrick Durcan and Diarmuid O'Connor, looked set to steal victory after coming from behind thanks to two second-half goals from Roscommon's Enda Smith.
Despite leading at half-time (0-6 to 0-4), Mary’s were four points down late on before the visitors levelled the tie five minutes into injury-time as McShane’s late point followed an Oisín O’Neill goal in a thrilling finale.
McShane then followed up an extra-time goal from Derry’s Brian Óg McGilligan with yet another point to book St Mary’s place in the semi-finals at the Connacht GAA Centre in Bekan next week.
Paddy Tally's side will meet UCC after they were also forced to extra-time by hosts IT Carlow last night before the Cork college managed to claim a 0-10 to 1-6 win.
Earlier in the day, Dublin forward Paul Mannion kicked seven points (six frees) as UCD coasted past 13-man University Ulster at Jordanstown, 1-18 to 0-9, with Monaghan's Conor McCarthy scoring the only goal in the second half.
A wasteful Ulster side had Gareth McKinless and Ronan McNamee sent off –- the latter on a straight red – while UCD's Colm Basquel was also sent marching and the Dublin forward will miss next week's semi-final clash against the winners of today's game between UL and DIT.
