It was fast-paced, it was thrilling, it was, ultimately, not Dublin University Football Club’s (DUFC) day. A highly entertaining game in College Park ended in disappointment for the hosts as a Garryowen side pushing hard for a play-off spot took the spoils with a 37-28 victory. Trinity could take solace from a blistering start and a bonus point salvaged in the final moments of the match, but the result, in truth, was rarely in doubt.
That said, DUFC were undoubtedly the side in the ascendancy in the opening five minutes. Garryowen, under the cosh, began to concede a number of penalties, and it was one such concession that led to second-row Alex MacDonald crashing over into the corner. It was a strong line-out maul and, for the students, a strong start – not something the team has delivered too often so far this season. Out-half James Fennelly slotted over the ensuing conversion to extend the lead.
However, this seemed to spark Garryowen into life and the players immediately hit back with a try of their own. For DUFC, it will not make for pretty viewing in the video analysis review next week, as some unconvincing defending allowed David Johnson to steal in for the visitors. However, Trinity’s lead remained intact thanks to a missed conversion attempt by Neil Cronin. Cronin, however, atoned for his miss five minutes later, slotting over the three points after some sloppy Trinity play.
Garryowen were now firmly in the driving seat and beginning to play some lovely rugby. DUFC, by contrast, were struggling to maintain any semblance of shape, and after half an hour the visitors furthered the advantage, Liam Coombes touching down in the corner after an intricate back-line move. Cronin tapped over the extra two points.
More sloppy play allowed Coombes in again just before the break, leaving DUFC’s players in no doubt that a much-improved second-half performance was essential if they were to rescue the game.
The side did not disappoint in the opening second-half exchanges, emerging for the second period as if with a point to prove. After gaining territory in the Garryowen 22, Trinity showed great patience to go through the phases before Michael Silvester finally snuck into the corner. Fennelly converted in his languid style to bring Trinity into the lead once again.
As strong as DUFC looked when the back-line got into gear, they looked equally frail when Garryowen got at their defence, and it was barely five minutes before Coombes barrelled over once again to complete his hat-trick, with Cronin making no mistake with his conversion.
Substitute James McInerney stretched this lead still further on the hour mark with a converted fifth try, as Garryowen ran riot in the space being left out wide by DUFC. Trinity’s third try came after patient build-up play, but when Cronin knocked over another three points to leave the score at 37-21 with less than 10 minutes remaining, it was clear that the mountain, for Trinity, was now too steep to attempt a meaningful comeback.
The hosts did claim a losing bonus point in the last play after some neat breakaway rugby between Silvester and captain Michael Courtney, but Garryowen were, in the end, good value for the win. For DUFC, still hovering above the relegation trapdoor, greater solidity in defence is needed, to accompany the excellent attacking rugby shown in no small measures today. Trinity travel to mid-table Clontarf next week.
