Dublin on final trail

Dublin Colleges continue the defence of the Leinster Senior Hurling A title when they play Kilkenny CBS in this afternoon's semi-final (Dr Cullen Park, 3.30).

The winners will play St Kieran's, Kilkenny, in the final, who comfortably beat St Mary's, Enniscorthy, in the first semi-final on Sunday.

The Leinster final is scheduled for April 14th and the winners there will have a bye into the All-Ireland final on April 28th, as Ulster currently field no representatives at this level.

After the easy defence of their Dr Harty Cup title in Clonmel on Sunday, St Colman's, Fermoy, will play Connacht champions Mercy College, Woodford, in the sole All-Ireland semi-final.

Our Lady's, Templemore, had no answer to the strength and depth of St Colman's, who emerged as 2-18 to 0-6 winners. To no one's great surprise was the 1-7 total for Andrew O'Shaughnessy, who continues to instil terror into any school that comes up against St Colman's.

Mercy College, however, were the unexpected 1-12 to 0-8 winners over Gort Community School in the Connacht final. Last year Gort made it to the All-Ireland final only to fall to St Colman's, and appeared set on achieving a similar feat this year.

In football, the last remaining All-Ireland semi-final place will be decided in Killarney this Sunday when Coláiste na Sceilige meet Coláiste Chríost Rí in the Munster senior A final (3.0).

The winners there will play Connacht champions St Jarlath's, Tuam, who earlier this month enjoyed a convincing win over St Colman's, Claremorris.

On that performance alone St Jarlath's look well capable of regaining the All-Ireland title they last won in 1994.

Newly-crowned Leinster champions Dundalk Colleges, who pulled off the shock win over All-Ireland champions St Patrick's, Armagh, will play Ulster champions St Michael's, Enniskillen, in the other semi-final. They defeated Omagh CBS in the MacRory Cup final earlier this month, and play the Leinster champions in a game scheduled for April 7th.