This year’s Dudley Cup was hosted by Trinity in College Park. On a beautiful September day the College Park pitch was seen at its best and produced a feast of running rugby.

In the first semi final Trinity took the game to UCD and excellent defence was required to keep the line intact.  It was such defence that led to a turnover by Ross Johnston and James Thornton sped to the line for the opening try, which he converted.  Trinity hit back with a fine try in the corner to leave the half time score 7-5 for college.

Once again Trinity took up the offensive and scored an excellent try from flying winger Shane Hanratty. Thornton brought the sides level before Galbraith kicked Trinity into the lead.  From the kick off UCD struck back and David McSharry crashed over the line for what turned out to be the decisive score.  The conversion and another penalty by Thornton eased College through to the final 20-13.

In the other semi final hot favourites UCC went out to a last minute try by a very pacy and highly skilled Queen”s University side.

Unlike the slow start to the semi final UCD came fast out of the traps in the Final.  Three early tries by Dave McSharry, Ross Johnston and Andy Cummiskey and a conversion by James Thornton put College into a commanding position.  Queen’s, who were hit by injuries, fought back well and scored a fine try before an intercept try by Shane O’Meara sealed the result 24-7 and the Dudley was won by UCD for the third successive year.

UCD Squad: ANDY CUMMISKEY  (Captain), RORY ALLWRIGHT, CAILBHE DOHERTY, JORDAN EGAN, TOM FLETCHER, SIMON GILLESPIE, ROSS JOHNSTON, DAVID LYNCH, DAVID MCSHARRY, SHANE O’MEARA, ROB SHANLEY, JAMES THORNTON, RICHIE BENT, MICHAEL CAWLEY, CONAL CREMIN, GARETH CROTTY, EOIN DALY, NEILL FOLEY, SHANE GRANNELL, JAMES HAYES, LIAM HYLAND, JOHN A LEE, KEELAN MCKENNA, KIERON MOLONEY, MATT NAGLE, ANDY POLLARD.