This try was supplemented by a Bill Corrigan conversion, but following excellent approach work by James and Micheal O’Kennedy, Gonzaga centre Harry Brennan crossed over on the left-flank for a converted touchdown.

Brennan was the stand-out performer for the Ranelagh school, but even though his lung-bursting runs kept Wesley on their toes, the sides remained on level terms (7-7) at the midway point in the action.

Gonzaga were close to moving into the ascendancy from another incisive attacking move ten minutes after the restart.

Wesley ultimately turned over their southside rivals, though, and thanks to a successful Adam Curry penalty, they had regained the lead on 49 minutes.

Indeed, courageous defensive work helped them to frustrate their opponents on a number of occasions, but persistence finally paid off for Gonzaga on the hour mark, when substitute hooker McEvoy finished off a dangerous move on the left-hand side.

James subsequently added the bonuses to this five-pointer in spectacular style, and although Wesley stayed within touching distance, Gonzaga’s victory (and passage into the last-eight) was finally secured courtesy of an O’Grady try deep into second-half stoppage-time.

GONZAGA COLLEGE – S Galvin; D Lynch, H Brennan, M O’Kennedy, A Browne (A Caslin h-t); O James, R Kelly; F Keane, R O’Donnell (A McEvoy 44), E Coyle; S Dempsey (H O’Grady h-t), E Ryder; C Farrell, J MacNamara, T Costello.

WESLEY COLLEGE – A Ladias-Barlow (I Sheridan 46); A Quirk, D Gilmer, W Hayden, T Spencer; A Curry, B Corrigan (A Lynam 33); C Classon, A Egan, S Kenny; D Motyer, J O’Connor (R Whitehead 67); L Corish, M Guest, S May (C Kirwan 40).

Ref – J Montayne (IRFU)