Controversy surrounded this semi-final at Lakelands Park yesterday with Skerries claiming victory in the dying seconds.

Trailing by six points with full-time approaching they ran a penalty in the St Columba's 22. Columba's could only look on as centre Paddy O'Sullivan finally found a crucial gap. But it seemed to many that he had put a foot over the deadball line before touching down. The try stood and Marc Hewitt sent over the winning points.

St Columba's went 5-3 in front when wing Forward Rory McArdle scored on the right with 12 minutes gone. They increased their lead when captain Ben Deacon carried the ball over following a clean line-out.

But the second half saw Skerries rally and Hewitt's second penalty on 50 minutes galvanised his side into action.

Scorers: Skerries: P O'Sullivan try, M Hewitt con, 2 pens; St Columba's: B Deacon try, con, R McArdle try.

St Columba's: L McCarrick; Z Maenpaa, D Nolan, G Sweeney, M Wilson-Wright; M Willis, F Leigh; J Moore, N Flynn, J Galvin, N Dillon, W Turner, A Wilson, R McArdle, B Deacon.

Skerries CC: A Murtagh; J Dunphy, P O'Sullivan, C Whearity, S Carroll; M Hewitt, M Heeney; N Walsh, B Murphy, R McCorry, B Murray A McGuinness, J Crowell, C Cribbin, J Sherlock. Replacement: A Jenkins for McGuinness.

Referee: M Fanning (Leinster)