UCD execute a tidy clean sweep

There was no stopping UCD's clean sweep of all four colours matches at Trinity's sports grounds in Santry yesterday, but unfortunately for everyone involved, and especially the sparse crowd, the bitter winter wind greatly limited the quality of entertainment.

For the sixth year in succession, UCD took the football honours, on a score of 1-6 to 0-3, but make no mistake about it, the wind dominated this game. Trinity hit 10 wides in the first half alone, yet UCD, even with the advantage of playing with the wind at their backs, were not much better.

It was almost impossible to judge the strength or direction of the wind - seemingly easy shots ended up looking ludicrous while hopeful attempts went disastrously astray. Considering it took Trinity 43 minutes to score their opening point, you have some idea of the difficulties presented.

UCD also had major problems adapting to the conditions. John Hegarty took seven minutes to find the first score and it was the quarter-hour mark before Mick O'Keeffe managed to convert the first free following two easy chances. Conor Donoghue of Meath was doing well at full forward, as was his team-mate Ciaran McManus at midfield, but UCD certainly should have been a lot more than 0-5 to 0-0 up at the break.

There were a couple of missed chances for Trinity by Laois duo Ian Fitzgerald and Chris Conway, but in truth there was almost no pattern to the host's game. And they were forced to give up any hope of a comeback eight minutes into the second half when a shot on goal by Niall Collins was fumbled by Trinity goalkeeper Stephen Walls and rolled into the corner of the net.

Hegarty put UCD 1-6 to 0-1 in front with 15 minutes left, but that was their last score of the game. Trinity were fortunate to claim two late points from Conway and Dave Mitchell to at least give the scoreline a little more respectability.

The UCD defence, which included Peader Andrews of Dublin and Noel McGuire of Sligo, were rarely challenged.

Trinity at least manage to keep UCD on the toes a little longer during the hurling, before they eventually fell 1-14 to 2-5 and allowed UCD to take the victory for the second year in succession. Again UCD had the benefit of the wind in the first half, and quickly set about building an advantage which saw them lead 010 to 0-4 at half-time.

Aidan Power of Dublin hit one of their better points, while there was also a good display in the full-forward line from Joe Wynne and Brendan Murphy, both of Offaly. Gary Mernagh of Tipperary was also winning plenty of possession at midfield.

As expected, Trinity relied a great deal on Galway's Alan Kerins and he provided three of their first-half scores, two of which were well-taken frees.

Then, four minutes into the second half, Trinity put themselves right back into the game with a goal from Fergal Landy. Kerins' free was sent low into the goalmouth and after one flick from Dave McInerney, Landy did well to push the ball into the net. They then trailed by just four points, 0-11 to 1-4.

UCD responded with a superb free from Conor O'Donovan and even though Trinity sneaked in a second goal from Kerins with four minutes remaining, the victory was always out of their reach. Wynne added another point and then Murphy finished up the game with UCD's only goal.

Unfortunately, the level of hurling throughout was fragmented and showed precious little imagination. Again, the big problem was undoubtedly the wind, which for the most part was strong and cold, and at times a gale.

Earlier in the afternoon, UCD's women's football team dismissed the Trinity challenge 28 to 1-3, with Anne McGillicuddy contributing a total of 1-4. There were also significant displays from Sile Nic Coitir of Down and Chermaine Cooney of Roscommon.

And to finish off the perfect day for UCD, they took the camogie game on a score of 3-10 to 0-0. Outstanding in this UCD victory were the contributions of Sile Ni Choiteir of Dublin and Aine Codd of Wexford, who scored an impressive 3-5 between them.