Leinster Senior Cup: Trinity 28 – 21 UCD

Trinity advanced to the final of the Leinster Senior Cup (v Clontarf) by virtue of this 7 point win at a quiet College Park .. devoid of spectators in compliance with Covid-19 regulations.

Collidge (the Cup holders) went ahead deservedly, after a succession of lineouts and maul penalties, Ben Murray was on hand to squeeze in under the posts for a try converted by Tim Corkery. Trinity replied 5 minutes later with a similar-type maul score to level the scores at 7-7. A 17 minute penalty against Collidge for not releasing put the home-side 10-7 ahead and they increased their lead in the 20th minute with another converted try (15-7). Misfortune followed for Collidge as, in quick succession, Jack Ringrose, Mark Fleming and Eoin Barr were lost to injury. This disruption didn’t help matters as Trinity’s dominance was rewarded with two late first-half penalties. Half-rime: Trinity 21  UCD 7

Strong at the breakdown and with good pace throughout Trinity extended their lead with a well-worked converted team-try on 51 minutes (28-7). They didn’t score thereafter as the Collidge quality of play improved with an injection of tempo and purpose with David Ryan and Andy Marks to the fore. In the 56th minute Ross Deegan went over in the corner for a try converted by Corkery to reduce the arrears (28-14) and on 75 minutes Ronan Foley took full advantage of some Trinity confusion to score a try (converted by Corkery)28-21. A Collidge try would probably have sent the tie into extra-time but the clock ran down as Trinity repelled  late Collidge attacks and advanced to the final. Full-time. Trinity 28 UCD 21 (Collidge’s next scheduled visit to College Park on January 16th for the AIL/Colours match) Full-time Trinity 28  UCD 

UCD: 15 David Ryan; 14 Josh O’Connor; 13 Andy Marks; 12 Eoin Barr; 11 Jack Ringrose; 10 Tim Corkery; 9 Richard Fahy; 1 Rory Mulvihill 2 Bobby Sheehan; 3 Emmet Burns; 4 John Fairley; 5 Jack Gardiner; 6 Mark Fleming; 7 Ben Murray, 8 Ronan Foley (Capt). Replacements: 16 Robert Byrne; 17 Richie Bergin; 18 Jonny Guy; 19 Cian Reilly; 20 Tom Foley 21 Luke Maloney 22 Ross Deegan.

Next match: Energia Leinster Conference v Old Wesley Sat 26/09 3pm (tbc) Energia Park, Donnybrook where behind-closed-doors Covid Level 3 restrictions will apply

Click the here for match highlights.

Try’s scored at 5:43(UCD), 8:40(Trinity), 12:48(Trinity), 26:10 (Trinity)                                             33:21 (UCD) 44:05 (UCD)