UCD and CIT won the 2010 Intervarsity finals with the Chilean and Mauritius Cups, respectively, this afternoon with wins over UU and DCU.

The nature of the competition, though, means the men’s title will reside with DCU for the upcoming year as CIT enter the competition as a guest team due to their non-University status.

Nonetheless, their first success in the competition since participating first back in 2004 was built on two second-half corner strikes from Roger Gray, over-turning a 1-0 deficit following Luke Hayden’s excellent finish earlier in the tie.

The Cork side were deserving winners having produced one of the results of the tournament to continue UCD’s frustrations in the men’s competition.

Shane O’Donnell netted a corner for the Belfielders but a John Hobbs switch-corner and a pair of Ali Smith goals – one a truly spectacular solo effort – to eventually take the semi-final tie 3-2.

Stephen West, meanwhile, was another in inspired form in his first varsities in the DCU colours as they surprised UCC 1-0 in their final four encounter.

Three in-a-row reigning champions UU failed to make it out of their group. Indeed, they did not register a point as CIT topped the group with three wins in succession with DCU making it through on points difference ahead of Queens.

UCD qualified for the final four with a day to spare following a pair of opening day wins but qualified second from their pool after they allowed UCC to come back from a goal down to win 3-1 with Andy Gray netting twice and Colin Manning also on the mark.

The result saw Trinity eliminated after an earlier 2-2 tie with UCC leaving them needing a favour from their city rivals with all three sides winning against RCSI. <http://www.hookhockey.com/wp-content/uploads/4363276666_d11af6b5f4.jpg>  

On the women’s side Rosie Carrigan – who scored extra-time winnner in 2008 – and a peach of a corner rebound from Chloe Watkins were the goals to mark a deserved return to the winner’s enclosure for UCD’s women.

Their tussles with the UU Elks have been a feature of the competition in recent years and, true to form, the pair swept to the final.

Both topped their groups though UCD were almost stung by Trinity who missed a late penalty stroke in their encounter – Caitriona McGilp’s strike the only difference between the sides. Trinity’s 5-0 win over RCSI and 2-1 over Queens meant a draw could have seen them top the group.

UU emerged from the opposite pool with UCC with the former getting past the challenge of Trinity in the semis while the latter lost 2-1 to UCD.

Men’s Mauritius Cup
Final: CIT 2 (Roger Gray 2) DCU 1 (Luke Hayden)

Women’s Chilean Cup
Final: UU 0 UCD 2 (Rosie Carrigan, Chloe Watkins)