Clontarf took the spoils and five vital league points at Castle avenue on Saturday. The students who had a very youthful look about them with six Under 20s and eight players making their AIL debut, made them fight all the way. With a bit more composure they would have got a bonus point for losing within seven or less. With only three minutes remaining Trinity trailed 27-20 and were backed up on their goal line. They ambitiously went to run the ball, but were stopped, turned over and conceded another giveaway try.

 

Clontarf started the game as if they were going to run all over the visitors. They were 12-0 up without creating anything. The students self destructed and things did not look good for this young side. True to recent form though Trinity dug deep and dominated the next 20 minutes. From a line out near the line Lock Martin Garvey crashed over, with out-half Johnny Watt kicking the extra points.

 

Later good pressure forced a loose ball near the half way line and inside centre Conor Donohue won the race to score a well taken try. Clontarf kicked a penalty and Trinity went in at half time 15-14 down.

 

In the second half Trinity continued to press, as both teams played wide open rugby on a rare balmy day in Clontarf. From deep in their own half the Trinity backs opened up and full back Phil Howard went 60 metres before being hauled down from a ruck the home side infringed. Watt kicked a long range penalty. Clontarf were gifted an easy try from naïve defence to regain the lead. 22-17. Watt kicked another penalty to bring Trinity to 22-20. Clontarf applied more pressure but got an unbelievable bounce for their wing to score in the corner. 27-20. The rest is history.

 

There is no room for morale victories in AIL Division one, and this was tough not getting at least a bonus point. Many experts predicted a heavy defeat for the students as Clontarf have been in dominating form this season. The students must learn not to shoot themselves in the foot or both feet for that matter. They played some fine enterprising rugby (as did Clontarf) but you cannot give away soft scores at this level. Decision making and clinical execution is needed before they tackle high flying Blackrock College RFC fresh off a great away win in Galwegians next week in Stradbrook 2.30pm.

 

Team; 15 Phil Howard, 14 Shane Hanratty, 13 Brian Hastings, 12 Conor Donohue, 11 Eoin McNamara, 10 Johnny Watt, 9 Conor McShane, 1 Niall Conlon (David Rowe 65), 2 Matt Crockett, 3 Paul Doran Jones, 4 Martin Garvey (Peter McFeely 55), 5 Marc Warburton, 6 Riche Morrow, 7 Shane Young, 8 Darren O’Reilly

 

Trinity 2nds had a fabulous home league win over Lansdowne 16-10. In a hard fought battle the home team just deserved their win against a strong Lansdowne outfit. With players coming back into the senior squad the 2nds can only improve, they have won three out of four league games. Well done to the 2nds!

 

 

The U20s capped off a great day for the club, when they won the Conroy Cup outright for the first time. Last season they tied with UCC and shared the trophy. On Sunday they beat old rivals UCD 24-12 in great style. The forwards dominated possession for most of the game, and the backs attacked at every opportunity. UCD scored in the last play of the game to close the gap. Trinity beat UCG and UL Bohemians on Saturday, to qualify for this prestigious trophy. UCD came through challenges from UCC and Queens. Well done lads!!