Ballyclare and Armagh delivered on the anticipated all-action tussle as Matt Dailly’s late try gave the Co. Antrim school a quarter-final trip to RBAI.

The first-half swung too-and-fro, with Alastair Wright’s penalty putting Armagh ahead before Jonny Douglas’ try gave Ballyclare the lead.

Wright and his Ballyclare counterpart Jonny then exchanged penalties as the home side stayed in front.

Despite Ballyclare out-half Josh Irvine causing problems it was Armagh who led 11-8 at half-time though when a neat blindside move saw winger Daniel Ewart cross the line.

Armagh continued to play like a team that held the lead, but they weren’t clinical enough and were unable to add further scores after the break.

And they were left to regret that when Ballyclare completed a smash-and-grab victory in the closing minutes.

Man-of-the-match Dailly crashed over in the corner for the try. Without Holmes’ conversion Armagh would still have been within a score of victory, but he kicked successfully and Ballyclare held off a late rally from the visitors to claim victory.