YET another case of League form counting for little when it comes to the cut and thrust of the cup. Battling St Mary's College advanced to the inaugural All Ireland Cup final with a surprise, yet richly deserved, 23-14 semi-final victory over high-flying Garryowen at a sunny Dooradoyle yesterday.

Two second-half tries helped St Mary's, who had suffered a 33-point League defeat to Ballymena seven days earlier, to an impressive win over their hosts. Centre Keith Douglas and prop Cillian O'Byrne crossed for the decisive second-half touchdowns as the Saints secured their first win over Garryowen in four attempts.

Garryowen, lying seven places above St Mary's in the AIL table, had defeated their opponents 15-3 when the sides met in that competition in Limerick last October.

Garryowen seemed on course for the final when leading 8-6 at the end of a keenlycontested, if uninspiring, opening half. The visitors opened the scoring, when outhalf Jonathan Sexton converted a penalty goal in the seventh minute.

However, Garryowen drew level six minutes later thanks to a penalty goal form Conor Kilroy. The crucial score of the opening period arrived on the quarter-hour mark.

Flanker Paul Neville barged his way over the St Mary's line from close range after the 'light blues' had opted for a line-out from a kickable penalty award. The conversion was missed.

St Mary's finished the half strongly and were rewarded for their endeavour when centre Mark McHugh struck over a penalty goal just before the break.

Douglas' 50th minute try, which McHugh converted, provided a massive psychological boost for St Mary's.

Garryowen out-half Kilroy landed two further penalty goals to one from McHugh to leave St Mary's enjoying a 16-14 led with 10 minutes remaining. Then an excellent try from St Mary's prop O'Byrne and McHugh's subsequent conversion secured a memorable win.

GARRYOWEN A Finn; F Daly, K Hartigan, P Devlin, C O'Boyle; C Kilroy, G Hurley; R Brosnan, D Varley, R Laffan, M Melbourne, D Sheehan, P Neville, P Malone, A Kavanagh.

Subs P Humphreys for D Varley (half-time), N Hartigan for R Laffan, 50 mins; J O'Sullivan for A Kavanagh, 60 mins; F Pala'amo for R Brosnan, 62 mins ST MARY'S COLLEGE P Brophy; R Smyth, K Douglas, M McHugh, J McWeeney; J Sexton, J Kilbride; C O'Byrne, P Smyth, P Collins, E Keane, W Duggan; P Nash, H Gervais, A Copeland. Subs O McCormack for P Smyth, 70 mins; M Donnellan for W Duggan, B O'Donohue for H Gervais, both 72 mins Referee D Courtney (Leinster)