ALL-IRELAND COLLEGES SENIOR A FC SEMI-FINAL St Jarlath's, Tuam 1-14 Col Chríost Rí, Cork 0-14:THE OLD saying that goals win matches proved true as St Jarlath's earned a thrilling win in the All-Ireland Colleges senior A football championship semi-final at the Claughaun club grounds in Limerick.

Munster champions Coláiste Chríost Rí, could not manage a goal despite sharing 28 points with their opponents in what was a hugely entertaining affair.

St Jarlath’s looked comfortable when they swept into a 1-8 to 0-5 half-time lead with the goal being scored by Conor McNamara three minutes before the break. It was a terrific finish from the wing forward, who hammered a blistering effort to the roof of the Chríost Rí net.

Full forward Luke Connolly was a constant thorn in the St Jarlath’s defence and he scored five points, three of them frees.

But as the excitement grew it was the captain, Ian Burke, who put over three points and the outstanding Shane Walsh ensured St Jarlath’s of their place in the final with the last point of a great hour of football.

St Jarlath’s reward for this victory is a Croke Park decider date with St Colman’s, Newry, on April 9th.

ST JARLATH'S, TUAM: J Healy; C Mulryan, C Cunningham, D Collins; P Glynn, A Nolan (0-1), P Varley; G Armstrong (0-1), L Silke (0-1); S Walsh (0-6, 0-3 frees), A Varley (0-1), C McNamara (1-0); S Silke, I Burke (0-3), M McWalters (0-1). Subs: C Langan for McNamara (54 mins), M Farragher for Glynn (57 mins), C Treacy for Mulryan (60 mins).

COLÁISTE CHRÍOST RÍ:J Kerins; I Lynch, K Fulignati, M Lyons; E Dunne, T Lawrence, S Cronin; S O'Keefe, E Finn (0-1); A Nolan, E McGreevy (0-2), P Fitzgerald (0-1); J Philpott (0-3, 0-2 frees), L Conneely (0-5, 0-3 frees), C Dalton (0-2). Subs: C Madden for Finn (54 mins).

Referee: P O'Sullivan(Kerry).