TRINITY FALL TO MCGRATH!
Saturday 28th January 2017; D.U.F.C. v Clontarf RFC

Trinity played their second game in a 7 weeks against All Ireland Champions Clontarf in College Park on Saturday, but unfortunately for the students the result was roughly the same. The Performance was better but in the end the Hosts fail to four tries from former Leinster winger Mick McGrath.

Trinity stood up to the juggernaut Clontarf pack far better this time around, the forwards put them on the back foot in the scrums, and the line out percentages were far better.

Where the forwards struggled was on their continuity, and basic handling errors destroyed the flow of the game.

To their credit Clontarf were on their game and thoroughly deserved their win, but were perhaps fortunate to get four tries when two of their tries had clearly forward passes in the lead up..

It is back to the drawing board for the students who will look to get back on the winning trail v Cork Con in Cork next week (4pm KO)

Trinity team; 15 Jack McDermott ,14 Tim Maupin, 13 Mick Courtney, 12 Kyle Dixon, 11 Brian Mollen (James Hickey 70), 10 Tommy Whittle (Evan Dixon 20) 9 Brian Slater, 1 Eric O’Sullivan, 2 Patrick Finlay (Jack Boland 65), 3 Andy Keating Darragh Higgins 60), 4 Jack Burke, 5 Cian O’Dwyer, 6 Pierce Dargan, 7 Brian Du Toit (Niall O’Riordan 60), 8 Tom Ryan.

Other news; Trinity Senior 2nds had a close call in the Leinster senior cup away to Barnhall. The 2nds ran into injury problems, but still ‘eeked’ out a win 18-16. They showed great character to pull out a win against all the odds.

Trinity U20s Premier XV had a fabulous 19-18 win over Belfield rivals UCD. In what was a great advert for University U20s rugby, Trinity played some inspirational rugby in steady drizzle. They were well worth their win with the brand of rugby they played with tries from Billy O’Hora, Cathal Martin and Philip Murphy. They now move into second place in the JP Fanagan one point ahead of UCD, and 5 points behind Lansdowne. They have a bye next week.

Trinity U20s Pennant XV had a comprehensive win in Seapoint 25-10 gaining an important bonus point for four tries against a plucky home team.

Trinity 3rds and 4ths were beaten in the first round of their respective cups on the weekend. The Senior 3rds went close losing 18-13 V CYM in the Winters Cup, The Senior fourths were well beaten by a strong Tallaght squad in the O’Connor Cup. Its back to league action for the both these teams..

Trinity Womens XV lost 27-0 to Wanderers. DUFC spent much of the game defending and ultimately the pressure told. The first game after the break was testing but there were positives to take forward and build on into 2017.