Dublin University - 23 Old Wesley - 13: Dublin University can look forward to a Lansdowne Road showdown with Connemara after overturning a 13 points deficit at College Park in their AIL Division Three semi-final on Saturday.
The home side showed the character which helped them to promotion as they prevented Wesley from scoring after Paul Burrell's 26th- minute try. Trinity place-kicker David Johnson scored 18 points to lead his side to victory in a hard-fought and entertaining encounter.
The visitors, looking to end their season on a positive vote after missing out on promotion, took an early lead when right centre Richie Thompson touched down in the corner following a pass from Burrell on the left. Then seven minutes later full back Brian Hogan landed a penalty from a central position.
Wesley kept the pressure on and Burrell got a fine try midway through the half, having lobbed the ball over the Trinity cover after a Brian Nolan assist before following up to score.
However, second row Peter Raftery pushed over for the hosts six minutes later before Johnson converted to cut the gap to six points. And Johnson kicked Trinity to within three points with a penalty just before the break.
The home side completed their recovery when Johnson took advantage of a Dominic St George surge to touch down in the 48th minute. Wesley refused to give up, but Johnson put Trinity 10 clear with another penalty.
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: C Sheehy; K Murphy, S Brophy, A Maher, P Raftery; D St George, H Hogan; R Wilson, C Curneen, D Crotty, D Johnson, J Quigley, S Kelly, A Jackson, A Howell. Replacements: A Findlay for Curneen (72 mins), M Woods for Wilson (79), M Garvey for Maher (86), P Lennon for St George (87).
OLD WESLEY: W Mulhall; G Van der Vyver, R Mamane, V Ryan, P Kelly; T Jago, J Sharpe; K Steinbeck, D Daly, B Nolan, R Thompson, A Leeson, P Burrell, D Doran, B Hogan. Replacements: A O'Donnell for W Mulhall (50 mins), G Richmond for Jago (50), B Deacon for Daly (50), D Bell for Nolan (79).
Referee: D Napier (URF).
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