UCD show reserves of strength

Dublin referee Jim Turner had a busy day at Belfield yesterday. Apart from jotting down 26 scores and keeping track of nine substitutions in this one-sided hurling clash he also officiated at the football encounter that followed.

UCD put their talent on view with only a handful of the 22 players they deployed sure of a starting place for next month's Fitzgibbon Cup.

It wasn't easy for Trinity who, due to lectures, injuries and studies, were denied the services of some of their best players.

With Eamonn Walsh, Ed Campion, Pat McIntyre and Jim Murphy padlocking the UCD defence, and Rob Kirwan and Emmet Prendergast generally holding sway in midfield, the UCD attack saw plenty of action. Kilkenny's Brian Phelan, Clare's Niall Daly and Cork's Peter Morgan were an attacking trio that made the most of it.

A second-half substitution that saw Tommy Fitzgerald get a run indicated UCD's depth of talent and the former Tipperary's minor landed a hat-trick of goals. UCD's flair and variation were highlighted when Walsh set up Morgan with a 25-yard kicked pass from which the Corkman pointed to give UCD a 2-8 to 0-4 half-time advantage.

Brian Cummins was at the heart of things when Trinity looked dangerous in attack. Captain John Kenna, John Colleran, Paddy Breen and Kevin Cosgrove were other prominent players on the losing side.

Trinity won the camogie match, beating UCD 4-5 to 3-6 after controlling most of the first half. The women's football match was scratched.

UCD: B Campion; E Walsh, J Mernagh, E Campion; E Grimes, P McIntyre, J Murphy; R Kirwan, E Prendergast; P Morgan (1-1), D Kearney, C Houlihan (0-3); D McGrath (2-2), B Phelan (1-4), N Daly (1-2). Subs: T Fitzgerald (3-0) for Daly; T Woodcock for McGrath; P Roche for Mernagh; D Corkery for Phelan; K Breen for Murphy; B Hickey for Prendergast; P Lyng for Kearney.

TRINITY COLLEGE: K Quigley; D Healy, M Moylan, A Murray; S Loane, J Kenna, K Carney; J Colleran (0-1), P Breen; A Creane, B Cummins (0-4), K Cosgrove (0-1); M Hyland B Murphy B Quinn. Subs: T Lynch for B Quinn; S Kelly for A Murray.

Referee: J Turner (Dublin).