Trinity College 22-8 UCD
Report by Trinity College reporter.
Friday 27th April saw history take place in Ireland on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as Trinity Football and UCD competed in a “colours game”, the name given to the rivalry games played in any sport between the two colleges. This game was made special however for two reasons; firstly it was being held on a Friday night, but secondly and more importantly it was the first time the two colleges had ever played each other in an IAFL regular season game on Trinity’s historic campus in the heart of Dublin City.
Around 400 people turned up to witness the historic game being played on College Park. Coach Darrin O’Toole’s Trinity team came into the game on the back of a 3 game streak and sat at 3-2 in the league standings. John Collins UCD came off a defeat the previous Sunday to the UL Vikings but found themselves at a respectable 2-3, with UCD knowing a victory would see them level with Trinity on points, but a win over their rivals could give them a vital advantage if a tie breaker was needed in deciding the playoff spots. On the flip side Trinity knew a win would put them at 4-2 and eliminate UCD from playoff contention.
Trinity took the opening possession and drove down the field well, however nerves on the big occasion were apparent as Trinity’s receivers dropped two big passes. Trinity kicked a field goal to finish the opening drive with a 3 point lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, a gutsy onside kick by Daniel Murphy saw Trinity catch UCD off guard and regain possession. Trinity again moved the ball well but saw some drops by their still nervous receiver corp. Trinity made a big passing play on a fourth down on the UCD 30 to keep their drive going, and on the next play RB Rob McDowell broke one to the endzone, however the officials incorrectly ruled him out at the time. Video later showed he did indeed break the plane. On the next play, QB Daniel Flynn pushed into the endzone behind Trinity’s O-Line. A UCD DT pulled the ball from the QB’s grasp, but he had broken the plane and a Touchdown was given.
Trinity’s defense, led by Dave Barker and Vince Ngo held firm on the UCD drive. On Trinity’s next possession rookie Rb Josh Megan towards the endzone but a tremendous tackle by UCD’s outside linebacker prevented him from getting the final two yards required. Megan pulled a hamstring on the play and was ruled out for the rest of the game. On the next play McDowell found the endzone.
The half wound down with Trinity once again getting into the redzone, but an excellent stop by UCD on this series saw the half come to a close with Trinity leading UCD 16-0.
The second half saw UCD galvanise their defense and Trinity found plenty of field possession but little reward for it. On offense UCD struggled to move the ball despite some catches, but most were for short gains and Trinity coach Danny O’Callaghan’s defensive unit swarmed to contain any threats. Andrew Redmond, Shane De Lappe and Adam O’Shea all started to find their way through the UCD O-Line, whilst Brian O’Driscoll, Alex Gurnee and Cian Lafferty shut down the UCD deep passing threat.
Near the end of the 3rd quarter Trinity’s offense took to the field and executed a solid drive which saw Rob McDowell make a big run through the heart of the UCD defense, then WR Alex Gurnee catch a deep ball in the middle of the endzone. Trinity now led 22-0.
On Trinity’s next drive, RB Sam Whelan fumbled the ball and UCD regained possession, however an inadvertent whistle meant Trinity retained the ball. Trinity however could not capitalise and missed a FG on fourth down. UCD remained a constant threat, and early in the fourth quarter they managed an excellent pass on fourth and long to keep their drive alive. On the very next play, UCD QB Colin O’Meara struck a laser through the Trinity secondary and UCD scored on a 50 yard pass. O’Meara then scored on the two point conversion, giving UCD hope with time on the clock and the score at 22-8.
UCD onside kicked the ball, but Trinity DE Adam O’Shea had little trouble regaining possession for the home team. The fourth quarter ebbed and flowed with Trinity failing to capitalize on good field possession and UCD starting to gain some momentum. However a third down saw the play of the game, as DT Cormac “Too Tall” Coughlin burst through the UCD line to deflect a Colin O’Meara pass, and Trinity Safety Gareth O’Shea made a diving, second attempt fingertip catch, barely keeping the ball off the ground. Trinity once again were held by the excellent UCD defense, but on UCD’s next possession O’Meara threw a deep bomb which was intercepting by Alex Gurnee.
The game finished 22-8 in Trinity’s favour and saw Trinity storm on the back of a four game winning streak to 4-2. UCD sat at 2-4 as a result and were eliminated from playoff contention. The win also saw TCD take a 2 game winning streak in the IAFL against their collegiate rivals. The Twentyone Club and Lounge MVP was given collectively to Trinity’s Offensive Line.
Both team now break for exams and return to the field May 20th, with Trinity playing the 1-3 West Dublin Rhinos.UCD travel to Belfast the same day to play the 1-4 Craigavon Cowboys.
