Dublin University 28 Garryowen 37 – 25th November 2017.
College Park

Munster Academy winger Liam Coombes had a big impact on proceedings
GARRYOWEN CLIMBED into second place in Ulster Bank League Division 1A thanks to a free-flowing 37-28 bonus point win over Dublin University at College Park.

Trinity made the early running in cold and crisp conditions playing some excellent rugby and hit the front in the 14th minute. A well-executed lineout maul saw their American second-row Alex MacDonald reach over in the corner.
Out half James Fennelly nailed the difficult conversion — the first of his four successful kicks on the day.

Garryowen full-back David Johnston took advantage of some loose defending to make it 7-5 by the end of the first quarter.
A penalty from captain Neil Cronin then nudged the Light Blues ahead before wing Gavin Coombes opened his account via a clever attack on the half hour – he then pounced for another try on the stroke of half-time.

That left Trinity 20-7 in arrears and, with their Ulster and Munster-capped scrum half Angus Lloyd having to go off injured, they had it all to do. They were right back in it though when in-form full-back Michael Silvester squeezed over in the corner for his fourth try of the campaign.

Wing Gavin Coombes nabbed his third try and the bonus point in the 52nd minute and replacement James McInerney got on the scoresheet three minutes later. That put 20 points between the sides and a final penalty from Cronin, 10 minutes from time, completed the visitors’ handsome haul.

Either side of that kick, Trinity never gave up and found their rhythm again to secure a hard-earned bonus point late on. Centre Kyle Dixon profited from some purposeful phase play to score in the 63rd minute and Ireland U20 international Silvester combined with skipper Michael Courtney to take his season’s haul to five tries so far.

Trinity now face North side rivals Clontarf in a two game back to back situation over the next two weeks. Next weekend they are in Castle Avenue, with the return in College Park a week later on December 9th.

Scorers: Dublin University: Tries: Alex McDonald, Kyle Dixon, Michael Silvester 2; Cons: James Fennelly 4 Garryowen: Tries: David Johnston, Liam Coombes 3, James McInerney Cons: Neil Cronin 3 Pens: Neil Cronin 2
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: Michael Silvester; Jack Kelly, Michael Courtney (capt), Kyle Dixon, Billy O’Hora; James Fennelly, Angus Lloyd; James Bollard, Paddy Finlay, Joe Byrne, Jack Burke, Alex McDonald, Sam Pim, Richard Dunne, David St Leger.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Darragh Higgins, Niall O’Riordan, Rowan Osborne, James Moriarty.

On Sunday Trinity Senior 2nds hosted league leaders Terenure and were unlucky to lose 24-17, picking up a bonus point in a three tries a piece game in College Park.

Trinity U20s Premier XV travelled up to Navan to play the defending All Ireland U20s Champions. After a tight first 60 minutes when it was 17-7 to Trinity, the students ran away with the game scoring three late tries. Winning 38-7.

Trinity U20s Freshers XV travelled to Galway to play NUIG/Corinthians for their Premier 2 game and after struggling early on to trail 33-7 at half time they incredibly showed great character to come back and win 37-33! The half time speech from coach Ross McCorry apparently doing the trick!