St Columba's advanced after an absorbing encounter against St Mary's, Drogheda.

It was a battle of the back rows and the St Columba's number eight and captain Ben Deacon proved himself to be just that man for the moment, with a hat-trick of tries. His opposite number James Devereaux claimed two tries, but it was the bristling and combative play of openside Niall Ronan that caught the eye most.

St Mary's were well worth their four excellent tries but the difference between the sides was that St Columba's had a little bit more composure.

St Mary's, Drogheda: N Kerby; L Collins, A Hewitt, E Clinton, C Scanlon; A Tallon, S Eustace; C Duffy (capt), C Clarke, I Dunne; C Hetherington, P Muldownney; V O'Dowd, N Ronan, J Devereaux. Replacements: M Heavey for Hetherington (30 mins).

St Columba's: L McCarrick; Z Maenpaa, D Nolan, H Hoare, M Wilson-Wright; M Willis, F Leigh; J Moore, N Flynn, J Galvin; N Dillon, W Turner; A Wilson, R McArdle, B Deacon (capt).

Referee: T Byrne (ARLB).