On Sunday afternoon in Sandymount, Dublin University Football Club (DUFC) women took on Wexford Wanderers in their last game of the Leinster League Division 3. With relegation on the line, a big performance was an absolute necessity, and the students didn’t disappoint, dealing out a 51-5 hammering after a game they had totally dominated.
DUFC had a dream start, taking advantage of Wexford’s indiscipline and scoring a try in the first five minutes. This would set the tone for the rest of the game. On the 18-minute mark Genevieve Ruesch added another try for Trinity, running 20 metres to touch down after a great line break. With 20 minutes to go in the first half the girls in red got their third try courtesy of another 20-metre dash to the line, this time by Fiona Tuite.
Things did not get better for the visiting side in the second half. Within five minutes Tuite had added another try to her tally, once again punishing Wexford’s indiscipline in defence. This try really opened the floodgates and Trinity spent the rest of the half battering the Wexford tryline. The last 30 minutes were nightmarish for Wexford with Tuite scoring a hat trick of tries and Niamh O’Kelly Lynch adding two more to her tally. Wexford did manage to salvage a solitary try after some decent play in the last few minutes but it was really no consolation. The game finished 51-5.
The midfield in particular had a field day, both centres causing the Wexford defence major problems. Trinity’s passing was quick and accurate and their strength with ball in hand really caused the Wexford defence to crumble. Trinity’s offloading capabilities severely hindered Wexford’s ability to regroup in defence. After suffering a few heavy defeats this season, DUFC can be very happy with how they finished out their league campaign, ending what has at times been a difficult season on a high. DUFC now have the Paul Cusack Cup at the end of March and Colours in April to look forward to.
