DCU RFC Mens ‘B’ into league semi-final

Student Sport Ireland Rugby Mens Division 2/3D: Round 3
TUD ‘B’ 12 v Dublin City University ‘B’ 15
 

DCU front rowers Joseph Abaya, Rory Wallace, Captain Abul Hasan Sheik Madhar Ali, as well as impact from Tom Byrne, Ben Woolley and the impressive Owen McNamara provided the grunt that was just about enough to eke out a narrow victory that has propelled DCU B into the league knock out stages for the third consecutive year. 

Dan McElroy and Josh Egan were first half try scorers for DCU in this tight, physical encounter that ended with DCU fiercely defending to stay in control of the game. Backrow McElroy was a monumental presence throughout the tight exchanges and he registered the first score at the quarter with a low, burrowing carry that saw him cross the line beside the posts for a try, converted by Josh Egan. Egan himself created a try with a clever grubber kick that he regathered himself and outpaced the defence for a classy solo score. This took DCU to halftime at 12-0 and within sight of the semi final stages.

When Egan kicked an early penalty to take the lead to beyond two scores, DCU were in the ascendancy, but this was short lived. TUD took advantage of a strong breeze, and following sustained pressure inside the 22, scored a try from close range, and with the conversion, the gap thinned to 8 points. Approaching the final ten minutes, an excellent set piece move from a lineout saw TUD first breach, and then outflank, the defence to score that left the buffer a mere three.

Defensive strength epitomised by the towering Daire McDonnell, Robin Hamill, Kevin Healy and fullback Harry Edwards, kept TUD at bay and after a punchy run by Micheal Hayes, outhalf Sennan Campbell was able to negotiate the final few minutes that leaves DCU with a semi-final date of Wednesday 26 November, when they play familiar opponents QUB Stranmillis in Morton Stadium, kicking off at 3pm.

Scorers: DCU: Tries: D.McElroy, J.Egan; Cons: J.Egan (1); Pen: J.Egan (1)

Scorers: TUD: Tries: TBC (2), Johnson; Cons: TBC  (1)

Student Sport Ireland Rugby Mens Division 1: Round 4

TUD ‘A’ 62 v Dublin City University ‘A’ 36 

A high scoring encounter that was well poised at the hour mark with DCU leading 36-33, tipped over in the final quarter where TUD rolled with the tide and eventually overran DCU with a display of rugby that was entertaining for a vociferous crowd who attended this well attended third level derby.

DCU began the day with strength and were soon 14-0 up thanks to some flowing rugby sparked notably by Adam Butler, Ben Crotty  and Shaun O’Reilly, and after several phases, Justin Lowe took space at the 22 and accelerated away for a fine individual opener that Ben Crotty converted. This was followed by a flowing move from the resulting kickoff, eventually Aaron McAteer fended one and burned another on his way to the line , a try which was again converted by Crotty. 

TUD responded with a converted try after a quick tap caught DCU off balance, and after Butler scored after an arcing run close to the line for DCU, the score was 19-7 and DCU were seeking a territorial advantage. TUD however, had different ideas and two tries soon levelled the game at 19-19, before Liam Granville thundered his way across the line after a cohesive attack led by Michael McAteer and Guillermhe Neto took the score to 24-19.

This could have been the halftime score, but after a series of penalties, TUD scored a converted effort that reflected a remarkable comeback to turn around 26-24 to the good.

With TUD turning with the wind at their back and scoring soon after halftime, the momentum looked to have turned early at 33-24. Impact from Cian Russell and Joey Boland soon changed this with Joey scoring after appearing three times in a single phase and firstly pirouetting, then barging his way over the line. When Ben Crotty orchestrated an attack that saw him break the line, grubber and regather, before offloading for the busy Michael Cremin to score in the corner, the game was alive as DCU led 36-33 with 20 left on the clock.

TUD finished the stronger with 4 late tries that blew the score out to it’s final margin.

This result leaves DCU top of the league having played all their games, but with UL having a game in hand, face into the final round with the league in their hands.

Scorers: DCU: Tries: J.Lowe, A.Butler, A.McAteer, L.Granville, J.Boland, M.Cremin; Cons: B.Crotty (3)

Scorers: SETU: Tries: TBC (9); Cons: M.Lynch (8)

Photo credits: Barry Clavin