Focused Marist stay on target

For about 20 minutes, Colaiste Eoin managed to stay in touch with Marist College, Athlone. Then the pace picked up and they were left trailing, allowing Marist to carve a comfortable path into the quarter-final.

It was three years ago that Colaiste Eoin won the Leinster title, but the school has been trying to rebuild that sort of strength ever since. Marist were far more balanced and, in this sort of form, are likely to have further influence on the championship.

Conditions at Silverpark were close to ideal, and that was reflected in the early flurry of scores. John Mannion and Paul Bannon put Marist three points clear in as many minutes. Colaiste soon warmed up, though they were searching deeper to find their scores.

???e Buitlair was instantly reliable with his free-taking, and after kicking two in succession, Ciaran O Murchu stepped up from full back to level the sides. Another free from de Buitlair briefly put the Dublin school in front, but they would never again enjoy such a fortune.

Marist were causing greater problems for their opponents defence and, after 20 minutes, James Tobin made the first serious assault on the goal. Although his shot fired off the crossbar, full forward Alan Kelly was in the perfect position to send the rebound into the net. And, before the break, they delivered the most telling blow when John Mannion set up Kelly for his second goal.

Trailing 2-6 to 0-5, Colaiste Eoin needed to produce an instant reply. But the best they could do was another free from Daithi de Buitlair, and ?????from then on it was clear there would be no way back. ain had the best chance for a goal at the other end but the finishing was hardly the most aggressive, and the Marist defence stood firm. Marist now meet Moate in the quarter-final.

Marist College, Athlone: P Golden; C Farrell, T Furey, D Rohan; N Fagan, G Aherne, S Carr; J Tobin, L Naughton; S Scanlon, P Dillon (1- 0), P Bannon (0-2, both frees); J Mannion (0-3), A Kelly (2-1), A Kelly (0-2). Subs: P Mulvihill (0- 2) for Scanlon (half-time), P Cosgrove for Dillon (59 mins).

Colaiste Eoin: B Mac An Alaigh; D de Burca, C O Murcu (0-1), M O Meachair; E O Scanain, E O Maoileoin, R O Riain; M Mac Gabhann (1-0), D de Buitlair (0-5, all frees); C O Muirghease (0-1), B Latchford, P O Riain (0-1); C O Nuain, C O Gallchoir, D Mac Samhrain. Subs: T Mac hAonghusa for O Muirgheasa (53 mins), T O Maille for O Scanain (58 mins), D O'Floinn for O Murchu (60 mins). Referee: P Freaney (Kildare).

Meanwhile, a crucial first-half goal from corner forward Donal McLoughlin put St Peter's College on the road to a well deserved victory over Colaiste Iosagain in their game at Power Park, Wexford.

The only bright feature of the afternoon was the glorious sunshine for both sides struggled to provide any real flowing football. St Peter's eventually prevailed on a scoreline of 3-8 to 0-7.

Scorers: St Peter's: D Foran 1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-4 frees), C Byrne (1-2), D McLoughlin (1-0), J Codd (0-1). Colaiste Iosagain: A Mulhall, M Egan (0-2 each), A Slevin, M Maree, J. Greene (0-1 each).

Aiste Iosagain: D Hennessy, J Bigler, P Bracken, D. Crombie, A. = Slevin (0-1), M Lalor, K Kiely, A Mulhall, T. O'Connor, T Fitzpatrick, P McDonough, M Maree, R. Connor, J Greene, M Egan. Subs: L Finlay for Bigler; S. Gordon for Connor; K. Keegan for Greene.

Referee: Seamus Whelan (Wexford).