Presentation Athenry 1-12

Midleton CBS 2-6

Presentation College, Athenry came good in the final quarter to beat Midleton CBS in Kilmallock and qualify for the Croke Cup final for the second year running.

The Galway school, who lost last year's decider to St Kieran's, Kilkenny, outscored their opponents by 0-6 to 0-1 down the final stretch to set up a March 30 showdown with the winners of this Wednesday's second semi-final between St Kieran's and CBC Cork. Both sides finished with 14 players after Christy Brennan (Presentation) and Ross O'Regan (Midleton) were given their marching orders.

Despite having to wait until the 21st minute for their opening score, Midleton held a slender 1-3 to 0-5 lead at the interval thanks to Ryan McCarthy's 31st minute penalty. Athenry were also awarded a first half penalty, but were denied by a Jack McGann save.

Mark Kennedy netted in the 38th minute to give the winners a 1-8 to 1-6 lead, only for Midleton to immediately regain the lead thanks to a Ross O'Regan strike at the other end.

The Cork side led by 2-5 to 1-6 going into the final quarter, but unanswered points from top-scorer Kennedy, TJ Brennan, Adam Clarke, Gavin Lee and Adam Brett sent Athenry into the final.

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