RUGBY: John O'Sullivan talks to UCD's director of rugby John McClean

UCD set no parameters for their inaugural season in the AIB League Division One, no mention of consolidation, no day dreaming about the play-offs. The goals were strictly performance related. The students had come from Division Three initially, playing an entertaining, expansive style of rugby and were not about to abandon those core values.

There are just two weekends left in the race to make the top four and UCD find themselves on the periphery of the play-offs. Victories over Carlow on Saturday and away to Garryowen in the final round of matches would need to be augmented by certain results elsewhere being decided in their favour.

They have exceeded expectations, dispelling the fears of those who considered the team too young and lightweight against the muscle of the elite. In their very first match of the season, UCD laid down a marker when producing a storming finish to pip Shannon 31-29.

It wasn't an aberration. The students have beaten the current top three teams in Division One, Shannon, Cork Constitution (18-12) and Terenure College (22-21). This has been offset by a couple of below-par performances that has seen them lose matches they could, and probably should, have won.

Not that there are complaints down Belfield way. Director of rugby John McClean is pleased with how the squad has adapted. "We decided to concentrate on performance levels rather than focusing on other targets. If we were good enough that was fine, if not then we'd find out pretty quickly.

"Since we started the academy here, the priority has been on player development and to do that you have to involve everyone in the game and that is what we have looked to do. We do play an expansive game and have stayed true to that."

McClean has been especially pleased with the contributions of young players like outhalf Eoghan Hickey, still under 20 years of age, reserve hooker Kevin Corrigan, Stuart McCarron and Ireland under-21 scrumhalf Brian O'Riordan.

He also singled out Tom Carter and captain Shane Moore. "Tom has been outstanding particularly in terms of the tackle count. He has put in in excess of 25 tackles in several matches and 29 in one, which is tremendous by any standards. Shane, for such a young guy, has amazing leadership qualities, both for the college and on representative teams.

"A guy like Michael Colling has been here for five years and his experience has been invaluable especially in helping to develop a young player like Eoghan Hickey. There has been a great buzz attached to the season and we have enjoyed some great games playing very good rugby."

The very nature of college rugby means UCD can't keep players for more than four or five years so a cyclical turnover places great demands of the recruitment of good young players. This season's under-20s are a good side and a couple will graduate to the senior squad next season.

For now, the priority is the final two games starting with Carlow on Saturday. McClean asserts: "What I would really love is that we could go into the final game against Garryowen with a chance of making the play-offs. That would be a brilliant way to end the season.

"We realise that the Carlow game will be tough to win. We've played them a couple of times and never beaten them, although we have yet to face them at Belfield. We have a great rapport. I think they've done a great deal for rugby in their area and wouldn't like to see them drop down. Andy Melville will probably be back from the start and he can inspire them."

There is no pressure at Belfield as the season reaches its denouement. The principles of performance have served them well and no matter what transpires, it has been a season to remember.