UCD 14 – 8 Clontarf
Castle avenue on Saturday was a place for only the bravest or most foolish of spectators, but those who were lucky enough to be there saw a performance by the UCD side that must rank among the greatest in the history of the Club.
Playing with the gale force wind in the first half College led 7-0 at half time thanks to a try by Kevin McLaughlin converted by Fergus McFadden. When Clontarf scored an early try by Philip Howard and tacked on a penalty by O’Brien to establish a 8-7 lead, it seemed as if College would do well to hold on to a losing bonus point.
However that would be to discount an incredible display of courage, determination and technical ability that brought about the surprising result. With two minutes to go and the rain beating into their faces on a surface where standing was an achievement, College turned over a Clontarf ball just inside their own half. With a series of pick and go’s the pack brought the ball inside the Clontarf 22 and eventually drove Kevin Croke over the line for an historic try. Fergus McFadden added the conversion and the day was won.