DETERMINATION and some crisp finishing by Graham Dunning gave Drimnagh Castle victory over last year's beaten finalists St Declan's CBS in the FAIS Leinster Under-18 Cup semi-final at Home Farm's ground, Mobhi Road, yesterday.

Dunning caused the St Declan's defence endless problems throughout and his two opportunist goals, which came just before half-time and 10 minutes after the break, proved the difference between the sides.

The winners too showed their character in the final half hour after being reduced to 10 players when Damien Stout was sent off for a second bookable offence and St Declan's had reduced the leeway through Gerald Sweeney.

But they responded quickly and restored their two-goal advantage with Dunning again prominent when his clever flick-on gave substitute Ian McLaughlin the opportunity to blast the ball home from close range.

Drimnagh Castle will be hoping to repeat their 1983 success in the competition when Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn was a member of the side.