After Donnelly and impressive DCU midfielder Matthew Costello traded goals late on, this fixture appeared destined for extra-time.

Yet there was just enough time left on the clock for Tyrone marksman Donnelly to set Queen’s up for a forthcoming clash against the winners of Wednesday’s clash between SETU Carlow and TUS Midlands (DCU will face the losers of this contest).

Scores were hard to come by during a tentative opening period and it took a superb goal from Conor Corbett on 17 minutes – following an excellent catch by Meath native Costello – to offer DCU a slender 1-2 to 0-2 lead at the interval in the Belfast venue.

It proved to be a far more engrossing second half, however, as strong contributions from Donnelly (two), Ronan Boyle, Dan Higgins, Cormac Quinn and Diarmuid King moved Queen’s in front at the beginning of the final-quarter.

Shane O’Donnell and Senan Baker kicked unanswered points to help DCU regain the initiative, but with another Boyle point being followed up by Donnelly’s clinical strike to the net, Queen’s were in the driving seat with the final whistle approaching.

Costello subsequently punched a long ball to the net to compliment his magnificent fielding in the lead-up to Corbett’s goal, only for Donnelly to break DCU hearts by coolly slotting over a close-range free in the 64th minute.

Scorers – Queen’s University: L Donnelly 1-3 (0-3f), C Quinn, R Boyle, D King 0-2 each, D Higgins 0-1. DCU: M Costello, C Corbett 1-1 each, S O’Donnell 0-2, S Baker (f), R Donohoe 0-1 each.

DCU: C McGuinness; B Masterson, S Fitzgerald, J Grant; R Keane, J Hagan, C Caulfield; M Costello, R Donohoe; S O’Donnell, S Walsh, K McGann; K Quinn, S Jones, C Corbett. Subs: S Baker, C O’Brien, J McGroddy, J O’Regan, D Robertson.

Queen’s University: R Rafferty; A McCloskey, E Corry, B Conway; C Quinn, R Donnelly, M Murnaghan; J McDaid, C Hynds; R Boyle, C Bohill, D Higgins; L Donnelly, D King, J Tunney. Subs: P McCarthy, L McBride, P Purcell.

Referee: K Faloon (Armagh).