TRINITY DRAW WITH CLONTARF
14/09/2006
Clontarf 14pts – Trinity 14pts

Trinity caused a minor upset last night in Castle Avenue, when they shared the honours with reigning Leinster Cup champions and AIL division one finalists Clontarf. Considering the circumstances this was a good result for the new look and very young students line up.

This was always going to be a tough game for the visitors, who went into the game with out a recognized line out jumper - with four second rows injured or unavailable. The scrum had a lightweight look about it also. But what the pack lacked in size, they more than made up for in physicality at the tackle and breakdown area and showed great heart and determination in all aspects of the game.

Because of the superiority of Clontarf at the set piece, Trinity found themselves chasing the game and defending for long periods. But when they did get the ball, the backs looked hungry using their possession well and stretching the home defence on several occasions.

In the early exchanges Trinity looked the livelier team and attacked well, keeping the ball in hand. Clontarf tried to get their big forwards running at the student defence, but they were cut down by terrific first time tackling. The Trinity back row of Ross Condron, Shane Young and Philip Rowe were outstanding in loose play and in defence.

Clontarf opened the scoring when they turned over a ball in a ruck, they attacked and scored from close in. The home side kept up their attack, but did not seem to be going anywhere, as the Trinity defence proved well up to the task. Trinity then turned the tables when some great team ‘pressure defence’ led to Wing Killian Stafford stepping in front of an aimless pass and ran in from 60 metres out. Johnny Watt Converted.

In the second half Clontarf kept up their attack, but never seemed to really pressure the Trinity line. This was the story of the game as Trinity lived off scraps of possession but defended bravely. Halfway through the second half the game turned when from a line out, Trinity inside centre Conor Donohue scored a magnificent individual try when he beat the first up tackles with a superb angle of run and then stood up and rounded the home team full back to score by the posts. Johnny Watt converted again. 14-11 Trinity.

Clontarf as expected came back but never really made any headway from the continual stream of possession that they had. Trinity looked like they would get the surprise win, but Clontarf kicked a penalty to tie the game up. Clontarf did miss a long range penalty late into injury time, but that would have been unjust, for all the work that the students had put in.

This was a good result for Trinity against the top club in Leinster, Clontarf had a very strong XV on the field with several inter- provincial players. They also had three former Trinity players including Former captain Martin Garvey, Wing Philly Howard and Phil Purdue. The students have much improvement to do in all aspects of the game, but can take heart from this brave performance.

Team; 15 Gareth Murphy, 14 Paul Gillespie, 13 Brian Hastings, 12 Conor Donohue, 11 Killian Stafford (George Byron 40), 10 Johnny Watt, 9 Joey Burns, 1 John Clarke, 2 Matt Crockett, 3 Tristan Goodbody, 4 Shane Mullane, 5 Peter McFeely, 6 Philip Rowe, 7 Ross Condron (Steve Curtin 60), 8 Shane Young.

Trinity now play another first Division team Blackrock College (who lost to Clontarf 27-3) in the final pool game at Stradbrook next Saturday (September 23rd at 3pm), in a ‘must win’ game if they hope to advance through to the play off stages of the Leinster senior cup.

The Trinity 2nd XV open there league account this Sunday at Terenure College (3pm.KO)

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