Christmas week, College Green, Big Crowd, Irish International on show, Dublin Derby, first AIL game in 8 years between the two clubs... the scene was set for an epic match and how did it deliver??
Rock went into their final game before Christmas sitting in the playoffs and looking to extend their unbeaten run to 4 games in a row, knowing a win would secure a playoff berth at the midway point in the league.
Dublin Uni started well, looking to play a fast paced game, spreading the ball from wing to wing. Rock managed to get an early intercept from Jack Ringrose and he was hauled down inside the Trinity '22. Few phases later, Rock earned a penalty, kick to the corner, straight to the trademark driving maul before Scrum-half Ringrose spotted an opening on the blindside to dive over. 7-0 thanks to the ever reliable O'Shaughnessy. Trinity tried to bounce straight back but great scramble defence by Galvin and Dwan ensured the Rock line remained intact. It would be their last venture into the Rock 22 in the half. Their focus turned to defence and repelling the constant flow of attack from Rock. Twice they held up mauls over the line and they were relieved to hear the blast of the referee's whistle.
Enter the fray, 22 times Ireland capped Ryan Baird to buoy the hosts. Rock also upped their game knowing this inclusion and playing into the wind would mean this game was far from finished. The second half started almost identically to the first. Trinity looking to attack out wide, this time Dwan intercepted and he, like Ringrose was caught just inside the '22. Both teams traded defensive blows for the next ten minutes until disaster struck. Rock were reduced to 13 men within the space of 2 minutes. First Burke done for a no arms tackle and then Colclough for a high tackle in the act of scoring. To make matters worse, penalty try 7-7. Rock would have to defend with 13 men for the next 9 minutes.
Defend they did, turnovers from Golden, Mullan and solid close quarter attack from the forwards meant there were no scores in this period. In fact, there were no more points scored until 15 minutes from the end. Trinity got a penalty on half way and with the help of the wind and the post took the lead for the first time in the game.
Again this setback didn't bother Rock, two big breaks from Tytherleigh and Mangan took Rock into position and when the referee raised his arm for a penalty, skipper Whelan pointed to the posts and handed the ball to O'Shaughnessy. 10-10 with two minutes to play. Just enough time for either team to create one final chance. Unfortunately, today, it was Trinity's day. The referee decided that Rock infringed at the lineout and Trinity made it 13-10 with the final kick of the game. Heartbreak!! But the best part of the AIL is the snake like fixtures and this gives a chance at quick fire revenge when Trinity visit Stradbrook in January.
For now, Rock sit in fourth position joint with Wesley in third, and well in with a shot at a surge in the second half of the season.
Have a good Christmas from all in the Senior squad and Management, we thank and appreciate the support and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2025.
FT: DUFC 13 - 10 Blackrock College RFC
AIL Div 1B Table at the Christmas Break:
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