DCU Power Into Semi-Finals With Seven-Try Display Against TUD

DCU 49 - 32 TUD

Brendan Johnston Cup Quarter-Final

Morton Stadium, Wednesday 4 March 2026

DCU booked their place in the Brendan Johnston Cup semi-finals with a thrilling 49-32 victory over TUD at Morton Stadium on a glorious sunny afternoon - perfect conditions for an absorbing cup tie that featured nine tries and momentum swings aplenty. The win sets up a semi-final trip to SETU Carlow on Wednesday 11 March with a 6pm kickoff.

DCU could not have asked for a better start. From the opening kickoff, the ball was returned after a TUD exit and Ben Crotty seized his opportunity, collecting possession around halfway and racing clear to touch down for a superb early try. Darragh Farrell - flawless off the tee all afternoon with seven successful conversions from seven attempts - added the extras to put DCU 7-0 ahead before most of the crowd had settled.

TUD, however, were not rattled. A well-worked converted try and two penalties saw the visitors take a 13-7 lead by the twenty-minute mark, exposing DCU's discipline at the breakdown. The response was emphatic. Óran Clinton powered his way over the whitewash to restore DCU's lead at 14-13, before Crotty added his second of the afternoon - a mazy, elusive run that left defenders grasping at thin air. With Farrell converting, DCU turned at half-time with a 21-13 advantage and the momentum firmly in their favour.

TUD opened the second half with real intent, driving over through a powerful maul to close the gap to a single score. DCU's reply was immediate and spectacular. From the restart, Dan Magner rose high to reclaim the ball with outstanding athleticism before unleashing a devastating run from inside his own half, beating defenders and powering over from the ten-metre line to restore an eight-point cushion. It was a moment of individual brilliance that lifted the entire ground.

The contest continued to swing. A clever TUD grubber kick unpicked DCU's defensive line, and when the resulting try was converted, suddenly just a single point separated the sides. DCU needed a response, and Clinton duly provided one, crashing over for his second try of the afternoon. Farrell's unerring boot pushed the lead to 35-27, but TUD refused to go quietly, scoring an unconverted try to make it 35-32 with fifteen minutes remaining.

What followed was a clinical DCU finish that put the result beyond doubt. Guilherme Neto thundered over between the posts, before Liam Granville added another late score to cap a dominant closing passage. Farrell converted both to complete his perfect seven-from-seven afternoon, and DCU ran out convincing 49-32 winners in a contest that showcased the squad's depth, resilience, and attacking firepower.

Attention now turns to next Wednesday's semi-final, where SETU Carlow will provide another stern test. On the evidence of this performance, DCU have the quality and the confidence to go deep in this competition.

Final Score: DCU 49 - 32 TUD

DCU Try Scorers: Ben Crotty (2), Óran Clinton (2), Dan Magner, Guilherme Neto, Liam Granville
DCU Conversions: Darragh Farrell (7/7)

Photo credits: DCU Student Barry Clavin