Hyland catalyst for UCD revival
UCD……………………………………………….. 23
ST MARY’S COLLEGE………………………. 20
By Daire Walsh
Ulster Bank League Division 1A
A stunning comeback in the final-quarter made all the difference at Belfield last night as UCD kicked off the new Ulster Bank League season with a hard-earned victory over south Dublin rivals St Mary’s College.
The visitors had dominated possession during the opening moments, but after full-back Gavin Dunne missing the target from 40 metres just past the 20-minute mark, a brace of Ross Byrne penalties from close-range helped UCD to move into the ascendancy.
Swapped three-pointers from Dunne and Byrne ensured UCD remained six points in front heading into first-half stoppage-time, but when Byrne pulled back Marcus O’Driscoll as he raced towards the whitewash, a penalty try was awarded by referee Andy Brace.
Dunne’s routine conversion provided Mary’s with a slender 10-9 interval cushion, and although Byrne twice tried his luck from distance after the restart, this lead remained intact on the hour mark. Mary’s were eager to create daylight between the teams, though, and a powerful converted touchdown by replacement prop Keelan McKenna did just this 17 minutes from time.
Dunne’ second penalty offered further breathing space to the 2012 champions, but just when UCD’s challenge seemed evaporate, Liam Hyland’s 71st minute try set up a grandstand finale.
With their tails up, the Students’ pack once again developed a maul on the left flank, and thanks to a second penalty try after 77 minutes – converted with ease by Byrne – their triumph was dramatically secured.
Scorers for UCD: L Hyland try, penalty try, R Byrne 3 pens, 2 cons.
Scorers for St Mary’s College: K McKenna try, penalty try, G Dunne 2 pens, 2 cons.
UCD: A Boyle; T Fletcher, S Murphy, J Coghlan, B Daly; R Byrne, B Holland; G Frayne, R Byrne, L Hyland; G Thornbury, E MacMahon; D Lawler, J Van Der Flier, S Grannell.
Replacements: M Moynihan for Frayne (5-9 & 71), J Harrison for Hyland (33-40 & 71), L Bourke for Boyle (60), B Cawley for Thornbury (71).
ST MARY’S COLLEGE: G Dunne; C Lilly, R O’Loughlin, R Hudson, M O’Driscoll; C Marsh, R Glynn; B McGovern, R O’Donovan, Robert Sweeney; M Donnellan, C Ruddock; Richie Sweeney, B O’Flanagan, K Sheahan.
Replacements: S McCarthy for O’Donovan (h-t), T O’Reilly for Robert Sweeney (54), K McKenna for Donnellan (59), M Fallon for Richie Sweeney (60).
Referee: A Brace (IRFU).