ST COLUMBA'S needed a late try to secure the Leinster Junior Section A Cup at Donnybrook yesterday. On their earlier form Columba's were hot favourites to take the trophy but, with star winger Michael O'Sullivan clearly having an off day, they were made to fight all the way by a resilient Marian side.

With the sides deadlocked at five points apiece the breakthrough came with just two minutes remaining when number eight Niall Denham swept the ball out right to David Myerscough who went over to score.

O'Sullivan added the two points to leave Marian needing a converted score, but moments later referee David Nelson blew a halt to proceedings. Columba's controlled the early play and were unlucky not to open the scoring when Myerscough opened up the Marian defence with a lovely jinking run, but the outhalf was grounded just inches short of the post.

Then on the quarter hour Columba's made their mark with wing forward Rory McArdle collecting cleanly in the line out before his momentum carried him over. Ten minutes after the interval Marian drew level when Simon Beirne made a diagonal run into the corner following a tap penalty in the Columba's 22.

. Referees could plunge the game in Wales into chaos by refusing to officiate on selected dates between now and the end of the season.