Eleven in a row chasing Ballygunner survived the second half dismissal of Shane O'Sullivan to hold off De La Salle in a hotly contested quarter final (2-21 to 0-21).
Kevin Mahony (1-4) and Dessie Hutchinson (0-6) led the fourteen men out of trouble. Pauric Mahony shot 1-5 including a tenth minute penalty. Subs Patrick Fitzgerald and Billy O'Keeffe got three points between them.
O'Sullivan was shown a straight red card with eleven minutes remaining for an off the ball clash with former Waterford team mate Kevin Moran. Referee Thomas Walsh consulted with linesman Eoin Morrissey before he made his decision. The Gunners outscored De La Salle 7-5 after that to go 56 games unbeaten in the Déise and set up a semi final with neighbours Passage.
Reuben Halloran scored ten points for Salle but sent a third minute penalty right and wide. Halloran, Thomas Douglas and Brian Cunningham all troubled the Gunners full back line. Barry Coughlan got an early yellow card and Darragh O'Sullivan substituted the long serving number three before the break.
The sides were deadlocked at half time (1-7 to 0-10). A row broke out in front of the tunnel as the players walked off the field. Walsh took no action when the teams reemerged. Points from Jake Dillon, Halloran and Jack Twomey gave Salle a two point lead by the 35th minute. Kevin Mahony then sidestepped Adam Farrell and planted the ball in the bottom corner. He assisted a point for Dessie Hutchinson before substitute Patrick Fitzgerald fired two on the trot. Despite O'Sullivan's red, the champions stayed on course.
