On a day which featured some tight scorelines in the preliminary round, UCD's visit to Coleraine produced one of the closest calls as last year's semi-finalists UUC took the 1996 champions to extra time.

The Dublin college started well and led by two points at half-time, 0-7 to 0-5. Derry senior and All-Ireland under-21-winning captain Johnny McBride led a third-quarter comeback by Coleraine and a 42nd-minute penalty, awarded for a foul on full forward Niall McSorley, was taken by Niall McGleenan, blocked by Noel Mulvihill the UCD goalkeeper, but followed into the net by McGleenan.

The home side took control and led by a point 1-7 to 0-9 going into the last moments but a free by Mick O'Keeffe levelled the match. UCD, with Tyrone's Brian Dooher making an impact on his introduction, pulled away in extra-time but still managed only a two-point victory which sets up a first-round reprise of their classic semi-final clash of two years ago with UCC.

The Cork students had an easy enough time of it against St Patrick's Drumcondra. Leading 2-7 to 0-4 at half-time, the 1995 champions went on to win by 17 points after a brief St Patrick's recovery after half-time came to nothing.

UCG cut it tight when requiring an injury-time goal by Lorcan Colleran to see off Dundalk RTC at Dangan. Louth's Ollie McDonnell made a big impression for Dundalk and finished with 0-6 from a combination of frees and play.

The introduction of former Galway minor captain Conor McGauran, who has played for Galway seniors and Salthill in the 1991 All-Ireland club final, for Kieran Collins proved vital, as he had two points for the victors between the 55th and 56th minute.

Sligo RTC, last year's semi-finalists, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of NUI Maynooth. Trailing for much of the second half, Sligo rallied with a penalty goal from Roscommon's Lorcan Dowd and a couple of points. Just as they seemed to have regained the initiative, however, Sligo lost it again and three late points pushed Maynooth into the quarter-finals as they will receive a bye through the first round.

St Mary's Belfast were also on the receiving end of a surprise defeat when DCU travelled north. The Glasnevin college, under the tuition of former Dublin All-Ireland full back Gerry Hargan, benefited from a tour de force from Ian Robertson at centrefield and a substantial five-point haul from full forward Kevin Barry. A rallying goal scored by Fermanagh All-Ireland B winner Liam McBarron failed to turn the match around and the visitors progressed to a first-round meeting with either Queens or Trinity who play on Monday.

DIT's involvement in this year's competition was brought to an abrupt halt by Athlone RTC at St Margaret's GAA grounds yesterday. The visiting side stamped their authority on the game with two goals inside the opening 15 minutes. Ciaran Gallagher punched the opening goal on 13 minutes while two minutes later Offaly forward Colm Quinn fisted the second. DIT battled gamely in the final quarter scoring four points but the outcome was never in danger.

A 59th-minute point by Dublin's Ray Cosgrave proved decisive as Waterford IT advanced to the second round at the expense of a battling Cork IT side in Waterford. The winners will now have a bye into the quarter-finals.

In Limerick, John McCaffrey was man of the match for Galway RTC, who beat Limerick by a four-point margin, 1-11 to 2-4. McCaffrey scored all of his side's 11 points with their goal coming from Damien Cunniffe. Galway led by 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time.

Revised first round draw: UCD v UCC; Garda College v UUJ/UL; Tralee RTC v Galway RTC; TCD/Queens v DCU; Byes - Athlone RTC, NUI Maynooth, WIT, UCG.