Galwegians - 24 Dublin University - 24: A 76th-minute try from outhalf Tom Allen saved Galwegian blushes in their opening AIB League clash against Dublin University at Crowley Park yesterday.
With Dublin University making their first entry into the upper echelons of domestic rugby, the home outfit, with home advantage, could have expected to take full points. Instead they were decidedly lucky to escape with a draw against a university side that packed a fair punch.
Galwegians, who survived last year with a win over St Mary's in the last outing of the season, have been strengthened by the addition of three key players, two of whom, New Zealander Scott Donald and former Harlequins academy player Tom Allen, made their first appearance yesterday.
Yet the team's lack of experience nearly proved costly as they failed to utilise first-half wind advantage and a cluster of scoring chances. Instead it was the students who could count themselves unlucky, outscoring the home side by three tries to two and playing the better rugby in attack.
They scarcely deserved to be behind at the break, having taken the game to Galwegians against the wind. The home outfit had opened brightly with two well-taken penalties from winger John Cleary, but Trinity's superior work-rate was rewarded with a try from Munster under-21 flanker Eddie Molloy after a well-drilled forward surge. Full back Simon Mitchell added the conversion, but after exchanging penalties with Cleary, the home side took a 10-9 lead after 28 minutes.
Before the break, however, Trinity's tendency to overelaborate handed Galwegians the platform for their opening try. A midfield mix-up and a loose pass was intercepted by full back James Littleton inside his own 22 and, sprinting the length of the park with just Brian Canavan in pursuit, he offloaded to the supporting flanker Donald, who powered over. Cleary's conversion put Galwegians up 16-10 at half-time.
The students, however, continued to cause problems up front for the home outfit, a superior lineout and maul building the platform for their backs.
Outhalf Donal Crotty continued to find the gap through the Galwegians backrow cover, and when he sold the dummy from quick ruck ball, and Mitchell converted, the students recaptured a deserved lead.
Galwegians mustered a 57th-minute penalty to keep in touch, but Trinity added a third try when Crotty once again made the vital break for prop Forrest Gainer to cross after 60 minutes.
Yet a rare clean lineout catch from replacement John Muldoon and quick supply provided Allen with the opportunity he had looked for all day. He took it with aplomb weaving through a flurry of defenders from 35 metres out to claim a share of the spoils.
Scoring sequence: 8 mins: Cleary pen 3-0; 11: Cleary pen 6-0; 13: Molloy try, Mitchell con 6-7; 20: Cleary pen 9-7; 28: Mitchell pen 9-10; 33: Donald try, Cleary con 16-10 (half-time 16-10); 53: Crotty try, Mitchell con 16-17; 57: Cleary pen 19-17; 60: Gainer try, Mitchell con 19-24; 76: Allen try 24-24.
GALWEGIANS: J Littleton; J Cleary, J Culkin, D Rogers, S Maher; T Allen, M Roche; D McFarland, H Bourke, F Farrell, J Casserly (capt), B McClearn, S Donald, J Silke, A Conboy. Replacement: J Muldoon for McClearn (half-time).
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: S Mitchell; B Canavan, B Kinsella, B Hastings, F Keane; D Crotty, P McCormack; N Conlon, M Crockett, F Gainer, M Garvey, M Warburton, E Molloy, H Hogan (capt), J Heaslip. Replacements: J Quigley for Kinsella (75 mins).
Referee: Alan Lewis (Leinster)
