Kilkenny College booked a place in the quarter-finals thanks to a strong first-half performance at Barnhall yesterday. The game was evenly contested and Kilkenny defended well to keep their opponents at bay in the second half.

Winger Rory Deverell crossed the line for the only try of the game and Russell Armstrong's conversion put them into the driving seat.

Substitute Conor Gahan performed well for Gongaza in the second half and won some lineout possession but Kilkenny held out, thanks partly to good displays by Philip Ryan and Philip Stanley.

KILKENNY COLLEGE: G Deane; R Deverell, C Peavoy, R Armstrong, K Masterson; G Jacob, R Jones; G Rowe, D James, B Thompson, J Kidd, P Ryan, P Stanley, S Holland, A Copeland.

GONGAZA: M Fanning; J Walsh, A Butterley, B Fitzgerald, D Stewart; C Twomey, D Twomey; M Conlon, J Dowling, P Grant, P Mohr, F Bolster, D O'Dea, S Lyons, C Ellis. Replacements: S O'Brien for Butterley, C Gannon for Bolster.