TRINITY WIN - IN ELEVEN TRY THRILLER!!
21/02/2009

Malone 36pts Trinity 41pts

Trinity travelled to Belfast, with only one friendly game (V Clontarf ) since 24th January under the belt. The squad have trained hard over the past month but they were for sure to be a little ‘under done’. In the opening minute the rust was smashed off them when Malone off the first line out of the game, scored a well worked try to go 7pts up.

Trinity to their credit settled into the game, keeping the ball for long periods into the breeze. They drew level when full back Paul Gillespie broke the line to put centre Richard Brady in for a superb try. Out half Dave Joyce converted. Joyce followed this up with a penalty to put the students ahead. Malone kicked a penalty of their own.

Just before half time Trinity scored a brilliant counter attack try when captain Shane Young broke from deep in his own half with a surprising burst of speed he linked with prop James Gethings who in turn switched (yes props do that now!) with Paul Gillespie who’s speed beat the cover defence to the corner from 40 metres out. 15-10 up at half time, into the wind was a good outcome for the visitors.

In the second half Trinity turned the screw when off a line out wing Colin Murphy split the defence before linking with #Brian Coyle who passed to Richard Brady who finished off from 20 metres out.

Trinity left wing Killian Stafford scored the bonus point try after the backs linked well.31- 24 after he sliced through for a powerful effort off a superb pass from Conor Coclough.

The forwards were next on the sheet when they kept their patience through several phases, #8 Brian Coyle to bulldoze over from close in.

Trinity scored their sixth try when centre Conor Colclough picked up a loose pass and weaved his way through the home defence to run in from 40 metres out. David Joyce kicked the conversion and added a penalty. The game looked done at 41-24 and the 80 minutes up. But in injury time Malone ran in two tries that gave them two bonus points for four tries and losing with in seven points.

A disappointing end to the game, but none the less a great result for the students who now move to 7th place in Division two. Attacking wise this was probably Trinity’s finest performance of the season so far, as they showed they played some magnificent rugby displaying their attacking flair and continuity, plus they were very clinical in their finishing. Defensively they have to get back to their old form, as they let in some pretty soft tries from the home team. This could have cost them in a tighter contest.

15 Paul Gillespie, 14 Colin Murphy, 13 Conor Colclough, 12 Richard Brady (Sam Bell 75), 11 Killian Stafford (Alan Mathews 65), 10 David Joyce, 9 Eddie Hamilton, 1 Colm Goode (Paddy McCabe 60), 2 Mark Murdoch, 43 James Gethings, 4 Pat Danahy (Colin McDonnell 60), 5 Scott LaValla, 6 Max Cantrell (Eddie Molloy 60), 7 Shane Young, 8 Brian Coyle.


Trinity 2nd XV had to play top of the table Old Wesley in Donnybrook on Sunday. Trinity went into the game five points behind Old Wesley but with two games in hand. A win would put them in a good position to overtake their rivals in the next month of fixtures. This they duly did, with their tenth win in a row 20-13, three tries to an intercept from the home team. The Trinity pack was simply outstanding in the set piece, led by their skipper flanker Johnny Iliff.

Trinity U20s gave a disappointing display in their first game in five weeks, when going down 16-14 to old rival Blackrock College. The students led 14-3 at half time. But the visitors came back to snatch the game at the end with a conversion from the touch line to win the game.

Trinity U20s B had a six try win over Malahide at Santry 40-15 this win keeps them well in contention for the play offs (top four). They are fourth but are seven points ahead of fifth place Seapoint.

Trinity J3s lost 25-7 to a strong looking St Marys College.

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