St Patrick's aiming for final

One of the more anticipated Leinster clashes of the colleges calendar is set for Carlow on Saturday when St Patrick's, Navan, finally get to meet the All-Ireland football champions Good Counsel of New Ross. A place in next month's final with St Mel's, Longford, awaits the winners.

St Patrick's have been digging a ruthless path to the final - most significantly with their nine-point win over St David's of Artane in the quarter-final. It's bound to be a stern test for the champions, although they're coming off the even more convincing 17-point win over Salesian, Newbridge.

In Connacht, the first football semi-final on Thursday will feature holders and beaten All-Ireland finalists St Jarlath's taking on St Mary's, Galway, at Tuam. The other semi-final involves St Colman's, Claremorris, and Ballinrobe at Garrymore on Saturday.

Ulster's first MacRory Cup semi-final for the senior football title also takes place on Saturday when Omagh CBS tackle St Patrick's, Armagh, in Dungannon.

Elsewhere, St Flannan's of Ennis are still on course for the double in Munster after the footballers edged out Killorglin on Sunday, setting up their Corn Ui Mhuiri clash with holders Tralee CBS. That final will be played on March 12th, with the Dr Harty Cup decider between holders St Flannan's and Our Lady's Templemore a week later.