For the 3rd successive year UCD emerged from the Conroy Cup tournament as winners.

The semi finals saw College beat Queen’s 24-7 and Trinity defeat UCC 28-13.  These games were played on the newly designed Thornfield pitches, which were in excellent condition.

The Final, played in the UCD Bowl, was a game of the highest quality.  College got off to a flying start with tries by Mark McGroarty and Sam Coughlan-Murray.  Having repulsed some determined Trinity attacks College turned over the ball and scrum half Peter Du Toit went in for another try.  Two conversions by out half James Thornton left the score at half time 19-0 in UCD’s favour. 

As could be expected Trinity came back with a vengeance in the second half but brave defence held them out until 11 minutes from time when a converted try took them back into the game.  However a penalty by Thornton restored a comfortable margin and despite conceding a last minute converted try UCD ran out 22-14 winners.

UCD Squad:

BACKS: DANIEL COSTELLO, SAM COUGHLAN-MURRAY, PETER DU TOIT, JORDAN EGAN, DAVID GODFREY, KILLIAN GRUMLEY-TRAYNOR, DENIS HIGGINS, GAVIN HEUSTON, DAVID LYNCH, PADRAIG O’CONNOR, DANIEL PIM, JAMES THORNTON

FORWARDS: DAIRE BURKE, RICHARD CRONIN, PADDY DIX, BRIAN DUGGAN, LIAM GAFFNEY, RORY HANNON, KEELAN MCKENNA, EOIN JOYCE, ANDY KELLY, MARK MCGROARTY, EMMET MC MAHON (Captain),  JORDAN MOSS, JOHN RYAN, GEOFF SPEIRAN

The Conroy Cup commemorates the memory of the late Paddy Conroy who acted as Honorary Secretary and President of UCD RFC. The Conroy Cup will be presented by Mrs. Geraldine Conroy after the final on Saturday afternoon in the Belfield Bowl. Also in attendance will be members of UCD RFC committee, the University and the Irish Universities Rugby Union.

In welcoming the teams to the competition, Irish Universities Rugby Union Honorary Secretary Shane Geraghty also paid tribute to the people behind the scenes and those who often do not get a mention.

"I would like to thank the referees involved in the tournament, the Association of Referees of the Leinster Branch for their help and John McClean, UCD RFC’s Director of Rugby, for his work in coordinating the fixtures and referees," he said.

"I would also like to thank the following people: Brian Mullins the UCD Director of Sport, Michael Cawley for his organisation of the reception for players and coaches of all teams, the first aid and medical personnel, physios and doctors who are in attendance and all those involved in UCD RFC who are assisting in the running of this competition. "Thanks must also go to UCD RFC President Dr. Hugh Brady and UCD RFC Chairman David Carrigy for their support and assistance.”

“I wish all teams involved the best of luck this weekend and look forward to some exciting and ambitious rugby being played.”

Some current professional players who have played in the Conroy Cup: Cillian Willis (Connacht), Rob Kearney (Leinster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions), Ian Keatley (Connacht), Fionn Carr (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster and Ireland A), Sean O’Brien (Leinster and Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions), Ian Nagle (Munster), Kevin McLaughlin (Leinster and Ireland), Ian McKinley (Leinster)