Sligo Grammar defeated Marist in Athlone this afternoon to top Pool B and set up a Semi Final clash with Colaiste Iognaid.

The home side took the lead early on but Sligo showed why they are reigning champions and took hold of the game from then on. Creaven, Bamber, and O'Connell all crossing the line to give them a comfortable victory in the end.

For Marist, they now face a winner takes all clash with CBS Roscommon, the fixture that was originally postponed on Week 2, with the winner facing a trip to Summerhill in the last four.

Tom Sheehan had the first attempt at goal for the hosts but despite favourable conditions just dragged his kick off target.

The first score in the game came from a handling error inside the goal line from Mark Tempany which led to Luca Giles pouncing to touch down and give Marist an early lead with Charlie O’Carroll adding the extras. 

It was not long until Sligo got back into the fixture however, recovering from the early setback to put together a great team move moving the ball well which ended up in the hands of Ambrose Bamber who touched down to the left of the posts leaving Tempany a comfortable kick which he converted well to level the scores after 15 minutes.

Mark Tempany recovered from his early error to give his side the advantage just before the break, slotting a penalty between the sticks from the 22 for the first Sligo lead of the afternoon.

Charlie O’Carroll responded from the tee with two minutes to go in the half to level the scores at 10-10. 

Sligo Grammar started the better side in the second half and were rewarded with Conor Creaven going over the whitewash after a number of phases at the Marist goalline. Tempany continued his kicking form with Sligo now up by seven.

Coming up to the final ten minutes of the match the game was still within reach for Marist, who really put it up to the holders at home this afternoon, in what was another tight and entertaining game in the cup competition. 

Diarmuid O’Connell put an end to any Marist hope of a late score to draw the game as he broke through to put daylight between the teams. A third try of the competition for the Leitrim man. Tempany was not able to add the conversion leaving a 12 point advantage for Sligo.

Sligo ran down the clock to take victory and top spot in the group and can now look forward to another semi-final in the coming weeks.