Mulrooney leads DCU Hurlers in style against Trinity

DCU Hurlers claimed a home quarter final in this year’s Ryan Cup with a narrow win over Trinity last week.

Both sides had achieved qualification to the next round with wins over GMIT, Letterfrack in the last fortnight. However the prize of staying in Dublin for the remaining rounds ensured there was plenty at stake in St.Clares.

Being behind on score difference coming into the game, the visitors showed they came to claim top spot in the group in a bruising opening few minutes.

James Mulrooney opened the scoring for DCU with a stylish point, something which turned out to be a feature of the afternoon but Trinity responded with two quick frees at the opposite end.

Dead ball specialist Colm Coughlan equalised for DCU before Emmet Kent put the northsiders in front once more. Points from Mulrooney and Eoin O’Mahoney extended the lead further before DCU goalkeeper Bill McCormack added a long-range free close to his own 45. Brian Fitgerald keeping Trinity in from frees along with a fantastic solo effort from wing back Declan Quilty.

There were goal chances at both end throughout the first half but both keepers were in top form resulting in somewhat of a stalemate coming up to half time.

Mulrooney just giving DCU the edge on the break with another well taken score leaving it 0-9 to 0-8 at the break.

Although matching DCU nearly all over the field in the second half Trinity’s lack of creativity and clinical shooting cost them top spot. Coughlan added two frees before the first of only two second half Trinity scores was registered by Micheal Hyland.

This game lacked nothing in intensity however despite the familarity between the opposing coaches, (The three mentors on both sides are Na Fianna clubmen), and threatened to spill over at times due to some poor refereeing.

Scoring chances were rare as they game became a scrappy affair with both sides unwilling to yield.

Thomas Clince made the most of some sloppy Trinity defending to tack over another score before Brian Flaherty sealed victory for the home side after a meandering solo run ended with a point.

DCU will now face NUI Maynooth this Wednesday in St. Clares hoping for the same result as the fresher hurling side who overcame the same opposition in the same round the Division 2 Championship last week.