UCD Win Colours
04/03/2010

UCD 28pts – Trinity 8pts

 

UCD won the “Colours” in convincing style on Thursday night in Donnybrook. Trinity would have to be disappointed with the result as they looked to be the form team coming into the game. As what can happen in this “one off” game, form went out of the window as UCD went somewhat fortuitously 14-3 up in eight minutes, including a try from a drop goal that hit the cross bar and bounced for UCD centre Andrew Cummiskey to dive on the loose ball.

 

From this moment on Trinity were chasing the game and tended to play the game in the wrong parts of the field. UCD out half Niall Earls had a great day with the boot and kept Trinity pegged back in their own half at every opportunity he had.

 

Trinity did give their large support some hope when blindside flanker Alan Mathews bumped off several defenders to score in the corner after a well placed cross kick from Dave Joyce and some good continuity from Brian Coyle. 17-8 was as near as Trinity would come to the Belfield College.

 

In the second half Trinity had their opportunities but could not execute and get over the line. UCD continued their pressure game by kicking long and relying on Trinity to run it out and turn the ball over. They scored again when their wing scored from a chip through. Trinity continued to attack with ball in hand but the scrambling UCD defence always seemed to have the answers on the night.

 

This has to be a learning experience for a young but talented Trinity team who for the most part will be available next season. This group of players have played some tremendous rugby this season and should look to finish the year in fine style against Old Wesley and Belfast Harlequins both in College park.

 

15 Andy Wallace (Richard Brady 58), 14 Neil Hanratty, 13 Conor Colclough, 12 Conor Mills, 11 Colin Murphy, 10 Dave Joyce, 9 Mick McLoughlin, 1 Tristan Goodbody (Paddy McCabe 58), 2 Mark Murdoch (Craig Telford 70), 3 James Gethings, 4 Scott LaValla, 5 Pierce Byrne (Max Waters 58), 6 Alan Mathews, 7 John Iliff (Dominic Gallagher 48), 8 Brian Coyle.

 

Other News;

Trinity U20s lost a very close game 10-7 in Templeville road yesterday, they led 7-5 with three minutes to go when St Mary’s scored a highly controversial try to win the game and Leinster JP Fanagan League, it was a cruel blow for the U20s who looked to have the game won. Good news for former Trinity captain Hugh Hogan who is coach of the St Marys XV and has done an outstanding job. The margins are very tight in this league. Trinity now have to play their final game at Clontarf a win will put them into the All Ireland play offs, a loss will put them in a All Ireland fourth seed play off with the winner of group B Terenure College in the Under 20s competition. A win yesterday would have put them in the hunt for top place in Leinster, it is that close with six teams St Marys, Lansdowne, Trinity Clontarf, Blackrock and UCD all beating up on each other all season. Congratulations to St Marys for winning a “dog fight” of a league.

 

Good news!! Trinity U20s Pennant XV defeated top of the table UCD 9-3 in College Park yesterday in a game they had to win to make the semi finals Leinster 1^st Division Championship. The game despite the score line was tight but entertaining. This was sweet revenge for an earlier loss to the same opposition. The Pennant squad will now play undefeated Old Wesley who won the other section. Congratulations to the entire squad and rookie coaches Gareth “Gaz” Murphy and Keith “Fergie” Young.

---