DCU start Ryan Cup with impressive win

DCU 2-13 0-9 TCD

DCU’s hurlers advanced to the next round of the Ryan Cup with a 2-13 to 0-9 victory over Trinity College Dublin at home last Thursday.

Trinity were first to make a mark on the scoreboard securing two points before DCU took the lead and remained there for the game.

Despite playing against the wind for the first half, DCU were ahead by two points at half time. Kilkenny minor Walter Walsh secured DCU’s lead with a goal in the 18th minute. Trinity goalkeeper Seamus Conboy did not stand a chance against the ball in the muddy conditions.

The second half saw DCU make a strong start with a goal from full forward Joe Cullen in the first five minutes. Playing with the wind, DCU dominated the field, allowing Trinity to score only two points in the second half. The first score from the away side in the second half came from a free.

The goal from Cullen proved to be the hammer blow dealt to TCD, as the visitors never really recovered.

DCU’s second half was marked by some outstanding play, including one breathtaking point from play where Tadgh O hUallachain scored from fifty yards out.

In a match in which the referee was kept busy, five Trinity players were booked in the course of the match including top scorer Michael Hyland. Ian Kavanagh, David Goff, Colm Murphy and Niall O’ Gorman were also booked.

DCU selector Padraig Horan said after the game that it was a deserved win. “We played well in the first half despite the breeze but it was the second half that really won the game for us.”

He said the team were well prepared for the next stages and are looking forward to meeting reigning champions Mary Immaculate. Eoin Vaughn, development officer for the Trinity team, said that they were disappointed with the result and that it was a tough game of hurling. “We came here believing we had a chance but DCU were better on the day.”

DCU now face into match two of the group stage of the Ryan Cup, playing in Limerick against Mary Immaculate College on the sixteenth of February.

Should DCU progress from their group, they will face the runner-up of group B, which features IT Sligo, Athlone IT and St Pat’s Drumcondra in the quarter-finals.

DCU Team: Bill McCormack, Tom Clince, Patrick Rowsome, Paul McElligott, Diarmuid Horan, Brian Flaherty, Alan Griffith, Colm Coughlan, Gavin Farrell, Tadhg O’ hUallachain, Arthur Creane, Emmet Kent, James Mulrooney, Walter Walsh, Joe Cullen.

Trinity Team: Seamus Conboy, Niall O’ Gorman, Martin Phelan, Oisin Daly, John O’ Malley, John Kelly, Kevin Fitzgerald, Ian Kavanagh, Keiran Murphy, Eamon O’ Gorman, Colm Murphy, David Goff, Mike Hyland, Pairic Ryan, Conor Woodgate.