St Patrick's, Navan 2-10 St Mary's, Mullingar 3-6:Title holders St Patrick's of Navan advanced in this year's competition by holding off a late rally by their Mullingar opponents at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

Four of the five goals were scored in the first half, which ended with St Mary's leading by 2-4 to 2-3 after having the advantage of the stiff breeze.

Cathal Lawlor and top scorer Andrew Kearney found the net for the Meath side, with Declan Lynam and Barry Slevin raising the green flag for their opponents.

Colm O'Rourke's charges went ahead for the first time with a Kearney free at the end of the third quarter, and points from Jake Regan (free), substitute Fiacra Ross and Darragh Smith left them four to the good.

They had a late scare when Lynam grabbed his second goal deep into added time.

But the final whistle went after the resultant kick-out.

ST PATRICK'S: S McCabe; C Lynn, D Kelly, N Galligan; M McCormack, A O'Sullivan, D Moran; P Lyness, S Tobin; P McKeever, A Khan, C Lawlor (1-0); J Regan (0-2, f), D Smith (0-1), A Kearney (1-6, 3f). Subs: R Barry for Moran (38 mins), J Grant for Lyness (43 mins), F Ross (0-1) for Lawlor (47 mins), J Reilly for McKeever (54 mins).

ST MARY'S: J Kenny; S Ronan, P Keena, C Sheridan; B Hogan, S Flanagan, S Gilmore; A Gilmore, S Flynn; B Slevin (1-0), C Lynam (0-5, 4f), J Doherty; D Lynam (2-0), J Heslin, A Coroon (0-1). Subs: S Walsh for Keena (half-time), S Noonan for Slevin (54 mins).

Referee: A McKenna (Louth)