The Limerick outfit were reduced to 14 men in the early minutes following a red card for Declan Hannon, but Eamon Cregan's charges impressed throughout to book their passage to a Pearse Stadium decider.

Clare's John Conlon and Cork's Luke O'Farrell put in a superb innings over the hour, registering all bar four points of Mary I's tally to power the Limerick side to the decider.

Conlon's 17th minute goal gave Mary Immaculate College a 1-7 to 0-8 half-time lead.

WIT hit with a major blow in the second quarter after the forced exit of Waterford defender Noel Connors due to injury.

Mary I continued to hold the lead in the third quarter, pushing 1-13 to 0-9 ahead with Conlon and O'Farrell continuing to impress.

WIT fought back with Paraic Mahony, Eoin Murphy and Jake Dillon on target to help cut the deficit, with Michael Sheedy smashing home WIT's lone goal.

Mahony's sixth point levelled the contest late on, and it looked like extra-time was on the cards.

However, St. Thomas, Galway clubman Conor Cooney and O'Farrell fired vital points late on to ensure a historic win.

Reigning champions UCC dug deep to shake off UCD in the second semi-final at Carnmore.

The Leeside University finished up 1-20 to 0-14 winners, with Waterford's Brian O'Sullivan claiming the only goal of the hour.

The sides were level at 0-9 apiece at half-time, but UCC kicked on in the second half.

O'Sullivan and Conor Lehane were immense, bagging 1-11 between them from the full-forward line.

UCC were in control in the opening stages and led by 0-8 to 0-4 after 23 minutes, but UCD responded well.

Five unanswered points, including three from Tipperary's Noel McGrath edged UCD ahead, but a Brian Lawton point ensured parity at the break.

UCC were in firm control on the restart, taking a 0-15 to 0-11 lead in the 42nd minute and failing to relent as they finished strongly to take a nine-point win.

IT Tralee and LIT-Tipperary will contest the second tier Ryan Cup Final tomorrow in Pearse Stadium after semi-final wins today.

IT Tralee were 1-11 to 1-10 winners over Trinity College Dublin, while LIT-Tipperary registered a 1-19 to 3-10 win over Queen's University Belfast at Athenry.

Meanwhile, St Mary's University College Belfast/BMC and St Patrick's College, Thurles will face-off in the Fergal Maher Cup final tomorrow afternoon.

St Mary's claimed a 1-20 to 2-8 win over Napier University, Edinburgh; while St Pat's were 2-23 to 4-8 over Marino College.

IT Blanchardstown took the Corn Padraig Mhic Diarmuda after a slender 1-11 to 1-10 win over UU Coleraine-Magee.