Lacrosse
The UCD Men’s lacrosse team travelled to Hamburg, ask Germany over the bank holiday weekend to play in the European Lacrosse Club Championship. College had the privilege of representing the Irish Lacrosse League at the tournament where the greater experience of their opposition from Germany, medical England and Sweden proved too much as they ended with a 0-3 record. There was a silver lining though for the Irish as Paddy O’ Leary won tournament MVP for his efforts in UCD’s attack.
Their first game against Hamburg looked early on as though it would be a rout for the local side when at half time the score was 9-2 to the Germans. UCD battled back though and managed to win the third quarter and the game ended at 14-7.
Their next game against the team from Farsta in Sweden started brightly with UCD even taking an early lead. From there, however, a succession of penalties meant that the College men were facing an uphill battle. That combined with the skill of the Swedes saw the game slip right out of the hands of UCD and the game ended 16-2.
The last game took place the next day and saw UCD come up against Waulcountian Blues, the Southern England Premiership champions. The side was replete with experienced internationals and former NCAA college players. The gulf in experience showed as the Blues took a 15-2 lead into the final quarter. UCD, determined to once again salvage their pride, outscored the English side 5-1 in the final quarter to make it a more respectable 16-7 final score.
Farsta and Hamburg played the final match of the tournament later that day and with Farsta overcoming the host side they were crowned the champions.
Although they finished without a win in the tournament the championships mark an important learning experience for UCD. With the Irish Lacrosse League starting only its third season the sport is still growing in this country.
Thanks to UCD defenseman and PRO, Ger Harris.
Rugby
UCD’s Under 21 side, led by captain Emmet MacMahon retained the Conroy Cup last week in Belfast as they saw off rivals Trinity College in the final game. Collidge won the Under 21 Irish Universities championship at Queen’s University by racking up 77 points while not conceding a single point over their three games.
Their first game of the round robin competition saw them beat UCC by a score of 22-0 before then going on to dispatch with the host Queen’s University with a 35-0 win.
This left a showdown with close rivals Trinity College who up until this point were also undefeated meaning that this game would be the de facto final. Collidge were once again on dominant form and scored 20 points without reply to make sure of the clean sweep as UCD successfully defended their title.
Athletics
Both the men and women runners from UCD had success at the Colours Road Relays match held in Trinity College on Saturday the 29th of October. The men’s team won the overall prize on the day while the women’s team took second and third place
