Cistercian College overcame atrocious weather conditions to qualify for their first Senior A final since 1947 when emerging with a three-point victory over Good Counsel in their senior A league game at New Ross yesterday.

The elements ensured a game of two halves as both sides failed to score when playing into the wind.

Cistercian College's win was achieved by some fine hurling by midfielder Ivan McCarthy, who struck three excellent points in the opening 10 minutes.

Further points from McCarthy (2), Austin Murphy and Conor Phelan helped to establish an unassailable 0-7 to 0-0 interval lead.

CISTERCIAN COLLEGE: F Hegarty; D Kelly, J Phelan, C McCarthy; A McIntyre, D Corcoran, L Meehan; I McCarthy 0-5, P Brady; A Murphy 0-1, C Phelan 0-1, P Purcell; C Sheehan, J Byrne, J Connolly. Subs: A Eivers for Sheehan; P Downey for Connolly.

GOOD COUNSEL: D Hartley; S Cummins, C Cleere, P Kehoe; T Frisby, N Coady, J Brennan; P Doran, T. Hendrick; G O'Grady 0-1, W O'Dwyer, S White; J Lawlor 0-2, S Dunphy, R Flynn 0-1. Subs: M. O'Dwyer for Dunphy; S. Barron for Kehoe.

Referee: D O'Sullivan (Kilkenny).