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Waterford Institute of Technology 27 National University of Ireland-Maynooth 13

Waterford Institute of Technology added to their substantial trophy cabinet by winning the final of the All Ireland Colleges O Boyle Cup Freshers Final today at Barnhall RFC.Todays win is in addition to their senior side winning the All Ireland Colleges Cup at Waterpark RFC lastweek.
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James O Sullivans try just before the interval was the defining moment of this All Ireland decider as it provided the Waterford Institute with a strong platform to work off upon the resumption.
Maynooth were on top in the first half, especially in the territorial stakes, largely thanks to a strong wind behind their backs.
Barnhalls U-20 fly-half ,Ben Mc Carty scored the games opening score after just five minutes with a superb penalty effort and when he extended the lead to 6-0, another penalty from the 10 due to Waterfords Justin Kirchs killing of the ball, the signs looked extremely healthy for the Kildare side.
Yet, the Deise County remained a tight-knit outfit when it came to defending their try-line and despite Maynooth probing hard through the bulk of Padraig Beatty, no gaps were to be found.
With the wind advantage one felt that Maynooth would need to rattle up a few more points if they were to stand a chance in the second period, so when O Sullivan went over following a terrific cross-field kick by Shane Kelly to leave the score at 6-5, it was Waterfords game to throw away.
In the second half, James Kirch used the wind to great effect with some terrific positional kicks into the corners and from there Waterfords maul did the rest. Waterfords forwards began to take control with a second try by James O Sullivan and tries each for Joe McSweeney and Pat O Connor all crossing over the line. With Kirch finding his shooting boots, his three beautifully converted kicks left the score at 27-6; game over.
Maynooth managed to grab a late consolation goal through the hard-working McCarthy which he dually converted after but it was a case of too little, too late.
Scores:
Waterford Institute of Technology:
Tries: J O Sullivan(2), Paul O Connor, and Joe Mc Sweeney.
Conversions (2) J Kirch
Penalty J Kirch
National University of Ireland-Maynooth.
Try B McCarty
Conversion B McCarty
Penalties (2) B Mc Carty
Referee: Barry Armstrong RALB

Athlone Institute of Technology Seven's side were the outright winners of todays Tournament held at the Barnhall RFC complex in Leixlip,Dublin tody-Wednesday 30thApril.They defeated Sallynoggin VEC by 26 points to 7
Altogether there were six Institutes and Colleges represented on the day.
This was a day that I personally enjoyed not only for the high quality of the rugby but also the peripheral activities that very much added to the overall ambience of the occasion.On a sad point ,I was disappointed that none of our affiliated Colleges and Universities from Ulster participated.Much credit to Eoin Hogan and Shane Martyn fot the organisation of the day.I took loads of photos that will be inserted after my final lectures of the year tomorrow-Thursday 1st May.photos
Well done to all who participated.
Results:
Sallynoggin VEC 19 Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology 12 referee
AthloneInstitute of Technology 38 Garda College nil
Athlone Institute of Technology 22 Institute of Technology Tallagh 21
Institute of Technology Tallagh 21 Garda College 20
Sallynoggin VEC 29 University of Limerick 12
University of Limerick 0 Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology 45
Semi-Finals
Athlone IT 29 v 10 GMIT
Sallynoggin VEC 36 v IT Tallaght 14
Final,
Athlone IT 26 v 5 Sallynoggin VEC
Referees:
Clive Wardrop,Rolland Clear

Irish Colleges O Boyle Cup Freshers Final
Barnhall RFC is the venue on Wednesday 30th April for the final intercollegiate game of the colleges rugby season between NUI-Maynooth and Waterford Institute of Technology. Barnhall RFC have five club representatives on the Maynooth side-as a result of the partnership between the club and NUI-Maynooth, while Waterford Institute of Technology have confined their side to one player from their victorious win in last weeks Colleges Cup game. The game is scheduled for 3.30pm and is preceded by the All Ireland Colleges 7s Tournament in which Garda College, Sallynoggin VEC, Institute of Technology, Athlone, Institute of Technology,Tallagh and the University of Limerick are all participating.The competition commences at 1pm.
at 1pm

Waterford Institute of Technology
C Green,J Booth,E Nolan,J Jackman,J O'Sullivan,J Kirch,S Kelly,E Seule,D Bailey,P Galvin,W Whitford,T Gardner,K Sloan,P Carroll,J McSweeney, Substitutes:C Walsh,M Cusack,C Dimand,B Foran,P Tynan

National University of Ireland-Maynooth
C Shanley,S White,S O Mara,C Crowe,M Lord,B Mc Carty,M O Toole,D Condron,J O Brien,G Egan,R Mannion,P Beatty,P Tiernan,J Halpin,C Henchy,Substitutes: C Henchy,T Mc Keown,C Dempsey,P Ryder,P Reddy.

Waterford Institute of Technology 23 - Limerick Institute of Technology 20

Two tries within a ten minute period by Waterford IT centre David Joyce and 2nd row Brendan Kelly was an early indication of the pace and determination shown by the eventual winners of the Colleges Cup, Waterford Institute of Technology played at Waterpark RFC yesterday.
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Limerick Institutes first mark up was in the 15 minute when they were awarded a penalty which was quickly followed by a try taken by Adam Hennigan converted by full back Stephen Duffy. Limerick were again awarded a penalty in the 33 minute , ably taken by Stephen Duffy leaving the score going to half time at 14 -13.

In the second half WIT were awarded an early penalty, successfully taken by Paddy Hyland. The intensity of play continued with both sides showing great commitment with well structured periods of play. It was in the 15 minute that that Donal Murphy of LIT succeeded in barging himself over the line for a try which was converted by Dermot Sheridan leaving the score at 20-17 in favour of LIT. In the final 10 minutes Waterford put Limerick Institute under continuous pressure with LIT hanging on desperately. It was in the dying minutes of the game when WIT were awarded a penalty in which Paddy Hyland succeeded in putting over.

In the two periods of extra time the intensity of play continued with no side giving an inch. It was again late in the second period that Waterford IT player Garry Jones went for the drop goal which he succeeded in putting over. This ended what was truly a great game of rugby with great displays from both sides.

Dublin Institute of Technology 21 Carlow Institute of Technology 17
Both DIT and Carlow IT teams provided the sizeable attendance with some sparkling rugby at the Irish Colleges Shield Final held at Waterpark RFC on Wednesday.The Dublin Institute make-up consisted of players from their five satellite colleges with a prominence of players from DIT- Bolton Street whereas Carlow Institute had as their backbone players on the inaugural year of their BSc in Sport and Exercise (Rugby) course.
The first ten ten minute period of the game was a testing bed for both sides with Carlow IT showing a structured plan to their afternoon’s work. They missed a number of scoring chances in this period due mainly to bad handling skills and a lack of conviction in their finishing movements. Prop Damien Maher showed his metal at this early stage when surging through the DIT defence on a number of occasions.
DIT were gradually getting their act together and created some fine movements which eventually led to their first try in the 18 minute scored by Aungier Street based player Paddy Jones. Enniscorthy winger Gavin Murphy converted leaving the score 7 points to nil. Both sides continued to show some good movements with Carlow weaving through the DIT defence only to be disappointed yet again by bad handling skills. In was this period that DIT intercepted a Carlow pass which led to DIT’s second try scored by Athy player second row Mark Farrell again converted by Gavin Murphy. Carlow were awarded a penalty in the 27 minute which was taken successfully by outhalf Richard White leaving the score going into half time at 14 points to 3.
In the second half period there was a dominance of play by the Carlow Institute. The missed penalty in the 7 minute did not deter their eagerness and they continued to gel as a cohesive force which eventually bore fruit when in the 25 minute a pass from no 8 Rob Smith to Donagh O Shea resulted in a try that was converted by out half Richard White leaving the score at 14 points to 10 in favour of DIT.
It must be said that DIT defended particularly during troughout the game.Wheras Carlow showed a team that had prepared well for this encounter ,DIT on the other hand relied more on the individual talent of their players .
Carlow IT continued to show flair and produce a number of good attacking ideas when in the 33 minute Carlow prop Graham Maher went over for a try again converted by Richard White leaving Carlow IT leading by 17 points to 14.DIT who were very much in attacking mode for this final period of the game were awarded a penalty as a result of Toulouse based player Clement Thiery been taken out.There confidence was severly dented when this easy opportunity was missed.
Nevertheless DIT ploughed forward when in the 35minute Dundalk player David Toman crossed the line for the winning try dutifully converted by Gavin Murphy.
terupted 20 meter run leaving the final score 21-17 in favour of the Dublin side.

Irish Rugby Football Union President Der Healy will be present at the Irish Colleges Rugby Union finals tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Waterpark RFC Ballinakill, Waterford.

All involved with Irish Colleges Rugby are delighted that Der will be with us on Wednesday. Der has always been a great friend of the ICRU at all times during his tenure in different positions prior to him becoming President. "As President he remains a great friend and supporter of Irish colleges rugby", commented John O'Loan, President of the Irish Colleges Rugby Union. The 'Treasury Holdings' Shield final is scheduled for 1pm with the 'Treasury Holdings' Cup final following at 3pm.

Peter Boyle(left) outgoing President of the IRFU congratulated Der Healy on his election as President
Thirty nine colleges, institutes and universities started the season in October 07 leaving both Limerick Institute of Technology and the host institute, Waterford Institute of Technology as qualifying finalists in Division 1.This game is scheduled for 3pm. In the Division 2 Shield competition the emerging Dublin Institute of Technology representative team will meet the Institute of Technology, Carlow in the first final at 1pm.

This years finals, sponsored by Treasury Holdings is the twenty third final since the foundation of Irish colleges rugby in 1986. Running alongside the year long league catering for three divisions, there is also a well contested student Interprovincial series. Players chosen for the national college's team are selected from this series. The Irish Colleges representative team was involved this past year in games against the Scottish Universities, England Combined Forces U23 and England Students who were the eventual winners of this inaugural competition with the Irish Colleges side emerging in second place in the series.


Last seasons Division 2 champions, UUJ

O Boyle Cup Quarter-Final: Walkover to Athlone Institute of Technology in their quarter-final match against Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology who failed to field. Athlone Institute now play National Univesity of Ireland ,Maynooth in the semi-final on Wednesday 23rdApril at Edenderry RFC at 2.3OPM. Winners of this game play Waterford Institute of Technology on Wednesday 30th April at 2.30pm.Venue will be announced at a later date.

Irish Colleges Rugby Union President ,John O'Loan today announced details of the date and venue of the Division 1 Cup and Division 2 Shield Finals.Both finals will be hosted by the Institute of Technology,Waterford at the Waterpark RFC venue on Wednesday 23rd April.TheDivision 2 Shield Final-Sponsored byTreasury Holdings- is between Dublin Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Carlow,ko. 1.00pm.
The Division 1 Final-again sponsored by Treasury Holdings-is between Waterford Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology and is scheduled for 3.00pm.I think you will agree ,both games have the making of a great afternoon of Colleges rugby.Why not organise a day out for your college club.Preparations for examinations can wait for another day!

Quarter-Final:Athlone Institute of Technology v Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology on Wednesday 16th April at 2.30pm.
Winner will play National University of Ireland/Maynooth in the semi -final on Wednesday 23rdApril
Semi-Final:University of Limerick v Waterford Institute of Technology on April 16th at Clonmel RFC.

Division 1 Semi-Finals
Garda College v Waterford IT on Friday 11th April at 6pm ,at Templemore

Division 2 Semi-Final
Dublin Institute of Technology v National University-Maynooth on Friday 11thApril at 2.30pm at Maynooth

links

irishrugby.ie
leinsterrugby.ie
munsterrugby.ie
ulsterrugby.ie
connachtrugby.ie
dcurugby.com
NUI Maynooth
dit.ie
ncirl.ie
itcarlow.ie
DkIT
CIT
AIT
CSN
NUI Galway
NMCI
ittralee.ie
uurugby.com
NWIFHE
itsligo.ie
OB Sport