TCD Sports Grounds, Santry

UCD arrived off the back of four straight victories, feeding well earned confidence and enthusiasm within the squad. Trinity on the other hand received a severe kick up the proverbial by the very same UCD outfit two weeks earlier in what has been the signature game of the 8’s season so far. This second game in the three game colours series held many things up for grabs, each team knowing the importance of a victory here.

Ominous clouds loomed threateningly over the Santry turf during the pre-game rituals, eventually opening up on the sound of the whistle. Trinity took the ball and ran up the gut, playing to their strengths in the manky weather. The ball was greasy, with the first half being a tale of fumbled balls and dropped passes for both sides. After camping in the UCD redzone for most of the first quarter, Hal Hodson eventually got things underway with a QB sneak for the first score of the game. UCD’s passing game struggled in wet weather of the first half and TCD maintained the majority of first half ball control as consequence. UCD’s defence was solid in the greasy conditions until the second quarter when Hodson registered another Touchdown through to TE Doyle on an outside arrow into the corner of the endzone.

The skies began to clear as the second half got underway. UCD’s QB was under constant pressure from the Trinity Line all afternoon, but still managed to get off some threatening long passes as the weather cleared up and the sun began to shine. Unfortunately UCD could not convert on their opportunities with the TCD defence having simply a dominant day at the office. Changes made since the first AGM of odium two weeks earlier obviously having a profound affect. Stand-out Saftey Kevin Murphy shut down the UCD passing game in the secondary and pressured the QB into bad throws on several blitzes.

Trinity’s offence continued to slowly eat up yardage and time through its running game. Niall Mooney had an outstanding second half despite loosing his starting FB Kieran Hegarty in the second quarter. Veteran Conor Logue stood in and created some lanes leading to Mooney’s two second half touchdowns. Logue must be credited also with gaining solid yardage whenever given the chance. Saftey Kevin Murphy capping things off with a sterling interception return for a TD to seal the deal and hand Trinity the win.

The third and final game in the Colours series will take place this Wednesday (29th) in UCD Belfield at 7pm. After two extremely exciting games of football and the series now tied at one a piece, this has the makings of a highly charged and epic battle. One could not ask for a better way to begin the “Colours” rivalry under better circumstances. Large crowds and floodlights should make for a neutrals dream game so make it down after college or work if you get the chance!