Clontarf 33pts Trinity 0

Trinity travelled to Castle Avenue on Saturday to receive their worst defeat since September 2013.

Trinity seemed to be always on the back foot from the opening minutes, but defended bravely playing up the hill on a heavy surface. The students did well to keep the home team to only 7-0 at half time. Trinity had limited possession but failed to generate their customary quick ball, and struggled to get ‘go forward’ ball against excellent Clontarf defence.

But in the third quarter the wheels fell off when right from the restart, Trinity conceded possession on their own line and Clontarf immediately scored from the scrum. Trinity then received their second yellow card and Tarf scored two tries in that time playing some super rugby that makes them the top club team in Ireland when firing with a full team.

Trinity was 33-0 down with 18 minutes to go, but they dug in and possibly played their best rugby of the game, without finishing some of their impressive approach play. It was good to see debutants Jesse Milne, Ryan Johnston, and freshman Richard Dunne show some nice glimpses for the future.  It was also good to welcome back Hugh Connors, Shane Byrne and Tommy Whittle who all stood up and battled well.

Trinity now take a well earned seven week league break, before they play Clontarf again n the return at College Park on January 28th a game where they will have to show a huge improvement from Saturdays performance. They do play a Leinster Cup game V Barnhall on January 14th.

Trinity team; 15 Hugh Connors, 14 Bryan Mollen, 13 Jesse Milne, 12 Kyle Dixon, 11 Evan Dixon, 10 James Fennelly (Tommy Whittle 50), 9 Dan Joyce (Ryan Johnston 50), 1 Eric O’Sullivan, 2 Patrick Finlay (Liam Cronin 50), 3 Andy Keating (Shane Byrne 55), 4 Jack Burke, 5 Pierce Dargan, 6 Adrien Chabonnier (Richard Dunne 55), 7 Dermot O’Flynn, 8 Tom Ryan.

On Sunday in College Park, Trinity had their ‘Parents day’ for the U20s. This well attended event is the ideal opportunity for parents of the players, to meet up and enjoy each other’s company. The lunch is squeezed between the U20s games.

Trinity won both games, in the first game the U20s Pennant XV beat Skerries 28-17 in a very competitive game. Trinity played some great rugby and scored four good tries.

Trinity Premier U20s XV then took the field and beat a well drilled St Marys XV 34-13. Trinity were not at their best in this game, but still managed to pull away in the second half, they go into the Holiday break only three points behind UCD at the half way point.

They start the second round of matches in Navan on Sunday 15th January.

Trinity 3rds lost to Old Belvedere 10-5 in Santry and the Trinity 4ths were well beaten 45-5 V Parkmore..