CAMROSS, the Lao is champions, showed their nerve in a thrilling finish before seeing off a great challenge from Wexford's Rathnure in a thrilling Leinster club SH semi-final at Nowlan Park yesterday.

Camross goalkeeper Tim Lowry was the man who saved the day. Right on full-time, Paul Codd breached the winners' defence, but his brilliantly struck shot from 14 yards was turned over the bar by the goalkeeper.

This was a game that started in an exciting fashion and then bubbled up into a gripping affair. In the 14th minute, Camross pounced for a goal. Midfielder George Danne won possession on the edge of the Rathnure square and evaded two tackles before finishing to the net.

That score took the winners to a 1-4 to 0-5 lead. Rathnure depended too much on veteran mid-fielder Jimmy Houlihan, who was an inspiring figure. Houlihan grabbed two scores and wing back Joe Mooney hit another pair as their forwards proved rather score-shy.

When Rathnure started the second half with a point from Martin Byrne, they looked set to take over. Camross stuck to their task, however. A Joe Dollard free was caught by Mattie Collier, in the 38th minute, and he turned and finished to the net.

During the final minutes, Rathnure piled on the pressure. Points fell to Paul Codd, Martin Byrne and Jimmy Houlihan to reduce the lead to the minimum

Again, when the pressure was intense, Camross produced something special. Joe Dollard landed a mighty free from midfield and minutes later he threw over another point.