UCD came from behind to score the last five points and see off Carlow's brave challenge at Tullow yesterday and see them book a place in the O’Byrne Cup Semi-final.

Luke Dempsey's side looked to be heading for a surprise win when leading 0-10 to 0-8 with time running out. But the students finished strongly with unanswered points from Rob Kelly, John Heslin, David Larkin and a brace from Laois senior player John O'Loughlin.

The sides were deadlocked on six occasions, including half-time when it was 0-6 apiece. Carlow, who had demolished Kilkenny in their previous game, certainly put it up to the students, who were themselves shock winners over Meath in midweek.

There was controversy in the latter stages with Carlow claiming that a Kieran Nolan effort, waved wide, was a point and that Heslin's leveller at 0-10 each was wide.Carlow also saw a Cormac Mullins effort go across the face of goal and wide, and JJ Smith was off the mark from a routine free in front of goal.

The home county will not be too displeased with this outcome -- they were without star midfielder Brendan Murphy. The Rathvilly clubman is out injured.Heslin and O'Loughlin, in particular, impressed for the college side in midfield as the dominant duo contributed a vital 0-5 to their side's cause.

SCORERS -- UCD: J Heslin (1f) R Kelly (2f) 0-3 each, J O'Loughlin 0-2, D Larkin, M Brazil, JJ Cocoman, C Kenny, C Lyng (f) 0-1 each. Carlow: JJ Smith 0-6 (5f), D Foley, T Walsh, D Bambrick, M Ware 0-1 each.

UCD -- M Savage; J Hayes, C Forde, M Fitzimons; S Redmond, C Brady, T Warburton; J O'Loughlin, J Heslin; M Brazil, C Lyng, D Larkin; C Kenny, R Kelly, K McGourty. Subs: L Cawley for Brazil (42), JJ Cocoman for Larkin (55), S Nerney for Hayes (60).

CARLOW -- T O'Reilly; K Nolan, P McElligott, B J Molloy; E Nolan, B Kavanagh, G Nolan; D Foley, JJ Smith; E Finnegan, S Gannon, D Bambrick; C Pender, T Walsh, C Mullins. Subs: E Ruth for Bambrick (40), A Kelly for Finnegan (50), M Ware for Gannon (55), A Murphy for K Nolan (65).

REF -- F Barry (Kildare). UCD 0-13  Carlow 0-10

 In Hurling... Hyland helped Laois boss Fennelly get off to flier

Michael Fennelly got his inter- county management career off to a promising start as Laois denied an under-strength UCD side at Rathdowney. Willie Hyland once again proved to be their most important player, hitting 11 points. The visitors piled on the pressure but Matthew Whelan and Brian Smyth were excellent in defence for Laois.

Scorers -- Laois: W Hyland 0-11, M Whelan, J Brophy, J Purcell 0-3 each, S Burke 0-2, J Walsh, T Fitzgerald 0-1 each. UCD: J Foley 1-1, C Allis 0-6, W Walsh 1-2, N McGrath 0-2, F Hannon, K O'Loughlin, D Connor 0-1 each.

UCD -- M O'Sullivan; J Doyle, S Cummins, O Gough; N Prendergast, E O'Shea, S Norton; C McBride, F Hannon; C Allis, D Connor, N McGrath; W Walsh, J Foley, K Hogan Sub: K O'Loughlin for F Hannon h-t.

REF -- S Cleere (Kilkenny). Laois 0-24 UCD 2-14