Sport

Colleges too strong up front /Representative

The Irish Colleges pack were dominant at Belfield yesterday

Thu Feb 01 2001 - 00:00

The Irish Colleges pack were dominant at Belfield yesterday. Conor Quaid kicked an early penalty for the winners, and then full back Robert Dolan broke through just outside the Universities 25 to score a try, which Quaid converted. In the opening 30 minutes, the Colleges' pack produced some clever, controlled rucking and there were some surging runs from Trevor Hogan and Paul O'Connell. But late in the first half the Universities backs got some good possession and Dermot O'Sullivan and Donal Crotty were stopped just short of the line. Shane Moore did slot over a penalty in the 39th minute.

After the break, Colleges again took control up front, and on 50 minutes left wing Clem Casey used his speed to kick ahead and score in the corner.

Shortly afterwards an attack down the line left Hogan free to barge his way over.

Universities rallied and James Norton scored the best try of the match, running halfway to score under the posts.

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In the 78th minute Harry Casey scored in the right corner for Universities. But just on time Conor McPhillips got possession 30 yards out and raced away to score for Colleges. Conor Quaid, Robert Dolan and Trevor Hogan were outstanding for the winners, and Donal Crotty and James Norton impressed behind the scrum for Irish Universities.

Irish Universities: D O'Sullivan (UCD); J Norton (UCD), C O'Sullivan (UCC), S Moore (UCD), J O'Donnell (UCC); D Crotty (DU), B Quigley (UCD); G Murray (UCC), B Urqhart (DU), M Ross (UCC), F McKenna (UCC), P Callanan (UCD), T Cahill (UCD), R Woods (Trinity), J Couglan (UCC). Replacements: D Blayney for Urqhart (41 mins), H Casey for Quigley (55 mins), A O'Brien for Woods, F O'Gara for D O'Sullivan (both 65 mins).

IRISH COLLEGES: R Dolan (Griffith College); A Sherrard (CIT), M McPhail (UL), K Lucy (CIT), C Casey (UL); C Quaid (CIT), E Reddan (UL); J Carey (Causeway Inst), J Riordan (CIT), P Bracken (Athlone Institute), P O'Connell (UL), T Hogan (DCH), D Leamy (CIT), P Fitzgerald (CIT), G Logan (DVS). Replacements: D Danagher for Carey (h-t), C McPhillips for Reddan, C O'Kane for Riordan (both 63 mins), P Butler for Leamy (72 mins).

Referee: D Keane.