First Half of 2003 – 2004 Season
21-12-2003
The under 21’s won the Avoca cup by beating Corinthians in a thrilling
final at Serpentine Avenue by a golden goal. Trinity went 2-0 down
in the opening 10 minutes and things were looking slighlty ominous
for the students but 2 drag flicks from Peter Blakeney got us on
level terms at half time. In the second half we dominated the game
and had a string of chances to finish the match. Trinty took the
lead with about 12 minutes to go after a quick free taken from Mark
Stewart who had just jetted in from Madrid that morning found Philip
Balbirnie in the circle who put the ball home.Corinthian’s equalised
with about 4 minutes to go. Trinity held out from 2 short corners
on the full time whistle to take the game into extra time. Within
5 minutes we won a corner and Peter claimed his hat-trick with a
well placed drag flick to win the game. The last time we won the
trophy was in the 1983-84 season and we have now won the cup 6 times.
20-12-2003
The 1st XI faced Pembroke today in Santry in what was always going
to be one of their toughest League fixtures. On the back of 4 consecutive
league wins, Trinity came into the game confident of being able
to cause a slight upset and within 20 minutes they found themselves
two nil up against the League leaders. Pembroke had looked the stronger
of the teams in the initial encounters and this was without their
star player Justin Sheriff who was sitting on the bench but Trinity
soon found their feet and started to play some excellent passing
hockey and were outplaying their oponents. Within 5 minutes they
had taken the lead. Phelie Maguire collected the ball inside the
circle and following a weaving run along the back line and after
drawing the keeper, found Balbirnie on the flick spot unmarked who
slotted the ball home. Pembroke seemed perturbed by this and worse
was to follow for the Ballsbridge side soon after. Following a run
by Paul Tuthill, the ball fell loose in the circle, and the resulting
shot came off one of the Pembroke defenders for a short corner.
Trinity’s very own short corner specialist, Peter Blakeney, stepped
and fired the ball past the diving keeper. 2-0 to the Trin and Pembroke
looked shell shocked. Within minutes, Pembroke decided to bring
Justin Sheriff on to try to stem Trinity’s constant attacks and
to claw themselves back into the game. This he managed to do. After
a crash ball out of the Trinity defence, Sheriff picked the ball
up and picked his pass, two more passes later the ball was met by
one of the Pembroke forwards on the back post to reduce the deficit.
At half time the match was poised at 2-1 and the crowd were sure
to get an entertaing second half. This they did. Pembroke started
off strongly and soon won a short corner. Sheriff so lethal on the
drag flicks failed to find the net after a save from Cormac Staunton
but the ball dropped at his feet and the clearance found a Pembroke
stick who put the ball home. 2-2 with all to play for. Trinity continued
to attack and created some promising chances as did the visitors
but neither team seemed could seem to find the all elusive winner
untill the final minute. Trinity attacked down the left through
Paul Tuthill, and with four defenders around him slipped it inside.
The ball appeared to come up off a stick but on later comment it
had come up of a Pembroke foot, Pembroke picked up the loose ball
and on the counter attack they found Stephen Findlater’s room-mate
Paddy Good unmarked in the circle. He pushed the ball towards goal
and even though Cormac Staunton got a touch it dribbled over the
line with 26 seconds to go. Heart breaking for Trinity as they lost
the match 3-2 and their 13 game unbeaten run had come to an end.
They now face Three Rock Rovers in the New Year and a win there
would see them go joint with Three Rock in third place.
The second XI earned themselves a draw against Corinthians 3rds
today in Santry. The seconds drew to Corinthian’s 1-1 after going
ahead in the first half. They
were unlucky not to have doubled their lead as they had managed
to create a
couple of good chances. Unfortunately Corinthian’s got an equaliser
from a
penalty corner, and Robert Elmes made a couple of crucial saves
towards the
end to ensure that the points were shared.
14-12-2003
With easy victories over Glenanne 6-2 and Railway 6-3 in the previous
rounds the Under 21 cup team had reached the semi-finals of the
Under 21 cup. In their way of a historic place in the final was
a much fancied UCD team. Trinity, had a depleted squad for this
match with many of the English players emigrating home and Peter
Blakeney away up North on Cricket duty with the Irish Under 19’s,
and thus entered the match as underdogs. The match took place in
front of a large crowd at Serpentine Avenue hoping to see a spectacle
of underage hockey. UCD started the game very strongly and soon
found themselves with the majority of the possession. They controlled
the opening encounters, something rarely associated with a UCD team,
and were playing the ball well around the back, when they attacked
they managed to create some good chances but some resolute goalkeeping
from Robert Elmes kept them at bay. Trinity, led by Philip Balbirnie,
soon got into the swing of things and with Phelie Maguire to the
fore in the centre of midfield they started to put together some
strings of attacking play, unfortunately the couldn’t seem to make
it count in the final third. However in the 19th minute Trinity
gained a short corner which would ultimately give them the lead.
UCD caused an infringement from the 1st corner which earned the
Dublin 2 side another set piece. The ball was moved right and then
centred to Phelie Maguire who slotted the ball home to give Trinity
the lead. UCD pressed looking for the equaliser, but the Trinity
defence held out well, with some gutsy tackles from left back Cian
Denham. In the final 5 minutes of the 1st half Trinity were on the
verge of earning a penalty stroke after UCD had consistently broken
the line from a short corner and mouthing to the umpire, but they
managed to keep themselves together for the 3rd corner. At half
time, Trinty were the happier of the two teams and resident psychologist
Johny Harte told the team that whoever scored next would probably
win the game. He wasn’t wrong. UCD piled on the pressure in the
second half but Trinity were holding out well, Richie Miles, who
had experienced his first port and pies the previous night was running
his heart out up front for the trin and was constantly putting their
defence under pressure. It was from a set piece that the second
goal of the game arrived. Balbirnie played the ball out to Horsfield
who stopped it, Phelie dummied the shot and Ian "Shergar"
Horsfield dragged it round the first runner and buried the ball
home. Trinity were now in control and UCD found themselves down
to 10 men after a rash challenge on Maguire who had been making
them look silly all day. The contest was soon over when Trinity
got their third. A penalty corner played back to Balbirnie hit the
post and with the ball resting feet from the line, Daniel Needham
Beat Balbirnie to the ball to put Trinity’s third away. Soon after
Trinity put a fourth away through Phelie Maguire to put the nail
in the coffin for the Belfiled side. Two consolation goals in the
last 5 minutes weren’t enough for UCD and at the final whistle Trinity
emerged the victors. They now face Corinthians in the final on Sunday
with a chance to make history and become the 1st Trinity team to
win the prestigious cup in at least 10 years.
13-12-2003
After their success last week, the 1st XI were going into today’s
game, 3rd round of the Irish Senior Cup, in the best form of their
lives. Facing them were Monkstown, who have had a dissapointing
season so far and are currently lying below Trinity in the league
table. With the league fixture ending in a draw this was always
going to be a close encounter and this didn’t change as both teams
started off well, playing some good attacking hockey. Trinity came
closest to taking the lead in the 12th minute. Roly Budd on the
left spotted Philip Balbirnie unmarked making a darting run into
the backpost, he shelled the ball across but it missed the advancing
Balbirnie’s stick by a matter of millimetres. Monkstown soon took
the lead however, from a deflection from Ian Allen. A ball was crashed
into the danger area from just inside the 25, Ian Allen connected
with it only yards from the goal line to leave Cormac Staunton helpless
in goal and to give Monkstown first blood. The score didn’t stay
like that for long however. Ross Cullen, ever threatening in and
around the keeper’s pads levelled the fixture. After a defensive
mistake, Pigeon pounced onto the loose ball took it round the keeper,
it looked as if the ball was about to go over the end line just
wide of the post but Cullen managed to squeeze it in from the narrowest
of angles. 1-1 at half time and there was all to play for in the
second half. Monkstown again took the lead mid way through the second
half. From a short corner, the original shot was saved but the rebound
was tucked away to give the sky blue team the advantage. Monkstown
were still celebrating their goal when Trinity equalised. Less than
2 minutes later, Paul Tuthill picked up the ball inside the Monkstown
half and following a mazy run Trinity found themselves with a 3
on 1. Tuthill took it round the last defender and just as we thought
he was going to try to beat the keeper, he squared it left to leave
Phelie Maguire with an open goal to level the tie. Monkstown were
sick. As the game entered the final ten minutes both teams went
for the win otherwise extra time would be called upon. With both
teams playing end to end hockey the crowd were getting their monies
worth. Trinity gained a free on the right just on the 25. They played
the ball quickly and before Monkstown could rearrange themselves
they found the ball being centred in from the right for Ross Cullen
to tap the ball home and give Trinity the lead. Monkstown pushed
hard in search of the equaliser and earned a short corner on the
hooter. The 1st shot was on target but the follow up was sent over
the end line. Fianl score Trinity 3 Monkstown 2. Trinity now continue
their unbeaten run to 11 games and earned a home draw against Cork
Harlequins in the next round.
6-12-2003
On the back of 9 consecutive wins for the 1st XI, Trinity came
into this crucial league game in the form of their lives. A win
today and they would be at least 5th in the league at the halfway
stage. A loss would let the teams below them make up some points
and drag Trinity into the bottom half of the table. With Railway,
below them this was a massive game for both teams. In the under
21 match last weekend, Trinity disposed of Railway 6-2 but this
was going to be a much tougher game. Trinity started off strongly
and took the game to the visitors and had the majority of the possession
for the opening quarter but Railway were always a threat on the
counter-attack with their ability to shell balls through the middle
picking out the forward runners. It was Trinity however who drew
1st blood. With a full press on Railway·s hit-out, Phelie
Maguire intercepted the hit-out on the right and found Balbirnie
unmarked at the top of the circle who unselfishly laid it off first
time for Roly Budd running through to put it past the advancing
keeper and put the students ahead . Trinity had numerous chances
to extend their lead, the best being a three on one counter attack
but they went into half time maintaining their slender lead. At
half time, our resident psychologist, Johnny Harte told us that
whoever would score next would more than likely win and that it
was imperative that we score first. This the students did. A well
worked short corner found Peter Blakeney on the right and even though
the Railway keeper made the initial save, Peter followed up the
rebound to double the student·s lead. Railway soon pulled
one back to make it 2-1 and things were starting to become tense
but Gaz Hinds, back for the weekend from the UK, furthered Trinity·s
lead. After a mazy run from Paul Tuthill, he found himself at the
top of the circle, his initial shot was blocked down, but he regained
possession and with Dr. Hinds at the back post he made no mistake
and went for goal. Lucky for Trinity his shot was going wide and
Gaz touched it in, (although Tuts claimed he meant to pass Gaz the
Ball!). The last ten minutes yielded a further two goals. From another
short corner, the ball was dribbling towards the line after a deflection
from Phelie Maguire, with Balbirnie about to put the ball away,
the Railway defender kicked the ball away. Penalty Stroke. Ian ·Hosford·
Horsfield coolly stepped up and put the ball home ensuring the victory
for Trinity. Gaz Hinds found himself on the scoresheet again but
this time at the other end. Railway crossed a ball in from the right
of the circle and it met Gaz·s foot which sent it into the
top corner of the goal. It was too little too late for Railway though
and the final score ended Trinity 4 Railway Union 2. Another 3 points
for the students and they now find themselves 3 points adrift of
third place and 1 behind Glenanne in 4th.
The 3rd XI faced Navan at home this weekend knowing that a win
would put them in contention at the top of the table. The game started
well for Brian Gageby·s team and they soon took the lead.
With a slightly casual but clinical style, Rage played a beautiful
ball through with Adam Ward providing the finish. Navan upped the
pressure but with Rob Elmes making his maiden appearance in the
green and black, the nets were as safe as houses. Malcolm Balfour
was unable to recreate his drag flicks from last week but Brian
Gageby doubled the lead with a blistereing shot from the top of
the D. With pressure now on Navan, they began to crumble and two
more great team goals came from Umar Ahmed and Mark Tattersall.
This now puts the 3rd XI within fighting distance of the top of
Division 8.
29-11-2003
On a damp, yet sunny November’s day, the most anticipated game
of the season so far had come upon the 1st XI. Making their way
into the grounds of the regional technical college in Donnybrook,
the firsts knew that nothing less of a victory would be sufficient
70 minutes later. They congregated in dressing room 12 of the sports
centre knowing the importance of what lay ahead. There were some
nervous faces around, especially among the freshers, playing in
their first league game against what some call "the oiks",
but there were some who were thoroughly relishing the prospect.
Peter Blakeney with "all we have to do is turn up" was
one comment that didn’t go down too well with the serious few. Tuthill
even brought a bottle of champagne to give to the first goal-scorer.
Some feared he wouldn’t pass so that he could win, although there
would be no change there!! The pre-match chat was a mixture of hyping
things up but also calming things down as this fixture is always
filled with emotion. After some final words from Captain Stephen
Findlater, the 1sts emerged from the dressing room. They were leaving
as boys but would they return as men?
Silence fell among the National Hockey Stadium, UCD looked as if
they were lambs going out for the slaughter, then with a blow of
the whistle the match was away. With the crowds roaring, Trinity
took control of the game and passed the ball with such fluency and
grace you could have mistaken them for one of the great Dutch or
Spanish teams. UCD when they had possesion didn’t seem to trouble
Johny Royds in goal and it was Trinity who took the lead. A foul
in the circle yielded the green and black a short corner. Balbirnie
with the push out, Horsfield with the stop, Blakeney Junior with
the hop, skip and a drag fired the ball into the bottom right hand
corner of the goal. The Trinity entourage went wild in the stands
and the lead went to the Queen. UCD heads dropped. Trinity doubled
their lead not long after. With Trinity regaining possession inside
the oppostion’s half they went on a quick attack. Peter Blakeney
made a run to the 25 and slipped a ball through for Balbirnie making
a run outside him. The pass seemed to have been too hard and it
looked as if it would run over the endline before Balbirnie could
make it to it. The crowd thought it was a lost cause, Trinity’s
bench and team thought it was a lost cause, UCD had already given
up. But not the grey haired fox and his centre forward compatriot.
Blakeney continued his run in to the circle and Balbirnie at full
stretch whipped the ball across only inches from the endline. The
ball was rising as it met Blakeney who volleyed it first time into
the roof of the net. 2-0 to the Trin and the crowd went wild. UCD
fought on and their the brave efforts were rewarded. Francis Lee
picked up the ball on the left side of the circle, with some skill
comparable to the enigmatic Paul Tuthill, he beat one, two, three
Trinity Defenders rounded the keeper and put the ball home. 2-1.
Hope was still there for the oiks.
Half time came, discussions took place, half time went. UCD valiantly
fought on in search of the equaliser but the game was soon over
when Trinity went 3-1 up. Short corner. Ball switched right. Fresher
Phelie Maguire collected the ball, looked up, picked his spot, and
with what appeared to be all the time in the world, he calmly stroked
the ball past the advancing defence, the keeper could only watch
as the ball flew past and the sound of the ball hitting the backboard
only confirmed that the contest was over. Trinity then lost their
composure and played with a look of arrogance and UCD were unfortunate
not to capitalise on this. Whether it was done intentionally, who
knows, but it is a habit that Trinity should learn to forget as
it could cost them dearly. But as things went, UCD were unable to
punish them for this show of cockiness. Trinity continued to dominate
possession and the final whistle coudn’t have come sooner for the
Donnybrook side. UCD heads dropped knowing the significance of the
result. Trinity celebrated and they knew as they entered the changing
room that they had returned from the epic battle as Men.
22-11-2003
The thirds and fourths both gained their first wins of the season
on the weekend. These wins push both teams into reasonable mid-table
spots after a couple of rounds of their leagues. The thirds pulled
off a remarkable win, as they were reduced to 8 players against
South east Wnaderers in only the 5th minute. With Dave Misstear
having to go to hospital with a suspected broken finger, captain
Brian Gageby had to drive Dave and another was required to supervise
the whole situation. Umar Ahmed and Mark tattersall both picked
up their first goals of the season though to round off a two nil
win at Santry.
The fourths travelled out to Wesley to play bottom of the table
YMCA and duly picked up a valuable away win. Jonathon Miller and
Bob Owems got the goals.
In other news, Peter Blakeney and Phelie Maguire are the latest
players to be awarded
sports bursaries. Congratulations.
15-11-2003
The first XI faced Glenanne at home this weekend hoping to continue
their good run of being unbeaten in 7 consecutive games. Glenanne,
missing Joe Brennan, Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw, who are all
away playing hockey in Belgium, looked nothing like the team that
won the league and Irish Senior Cup only a few seasons ago and Trinity
certainly believed that there were three points up for grabs. The
boys in green and black started off well and were playing some very
nice hockey but they were always aware that Glenanne could catch
them on the break with a ball shelled through the middle to their
forwards. Nevertheless the home team took the lead through a very
well taken goal by the enigma Paul Tuthill. Breaking away down the
left, Tuthill waltzed his way round two of the Glenanne defenders
making them look silly in the process, he entered the circle and
had an extremely narrow angle if he was going to try to beat the
advancing keeper, with Balbirnie at the back post and Blakeney at
the top of the circle, Tuthill decided to go himself and sweetly
chipped the ball over the keeper into the top right hand corner.
1-0 to the trin. to be cont.
8-11-2003
After playing so well in numerous games this season, the first
eleven finally got the luck they deserved and chalked up thier first
league win of the season. A John Blakeney strike 20 seconds from
time secured Trinity’s first win in division 1 away from home since
beating Glenanne in approximately 1998. It was a hard-fought victory,
with midtable YMCA controlling much of the possession but unable
to create many chances. As former-
Trin man, and current YM midfielder David Johnson put it in the
Pav later "oh my gawd, like, we, like had so much bawl but,
like couldn’t get any corners. We just were not dangerous."
This assessment proved true, on 15 minutes when a YM attack broke
down on the 25metre line. Four quick passes and Peter Blakeney was
left with an open goal, 1- 0 to the green and blacks. After a hard
week at varsities, Trinity were always likely to feel the pace of
the game. It was thus no surprise when the Ballinteer side came
out with all guns blazing in the second half. It seemed, however,
that the onslaught had been quelled before another former Trinity
man, Jason Milne, equalised from a short corner rebound. Johnny
Royds then had to pull off some remarkable saves before the game
settled down again. The last ten minutes was a rather subdued affair,
and after andrew walker got sent off, it looked as if both sides
were content to share the spoils. Blakeney senior had obviously
not read the script and latched on to a bobbling ball in the circle
and calmly slotted it under the off balance keeper. The capacity
crowd erupted, as did former oik and Ym nutcase, ger Butler, who
accosted umpire Paddy Griffin with a remarkable verbal tirade. Trinity,
though, were on cloud nine and now look forward to productive november,
with the likes of Railway union, ucd and Glenanne to come.
6-11-2003
Trinity Men win Hockey Intervarsities.
The Trinity Men’s hockey team won this years Intervarsities by beating
the University of Ulster 2-0 in the final of the Mauritius Cup in
Santry. Having won all their pool matches, including a 4-3 win over
the holders DCU, with fresher Peter Blakeney scoring all 4 goals,
Trinity won their group ensuring a semi-final play off against their
bitter rivals UCD.
Trinity dominated the match and soon found themselves 1-0 up with
a well taken goal from Peter Blakeney. UCD continued attacking in
numbers but were unable to penetrate the Trinity back line which
included some resolute defending from captain Steven Findlater and
Brian Scully. Brian Scully found himself on the score sheet after
running the length of the pitch and cooly slotting the ball under
the advancing keeper. Ross Cullen got Trinity’s 3rd goal to further
add to UCD’s woes and ensure a place in the final.
Having only had under 3 hours rest untill the final, both Trinity
and UU were slow to get into their match rhythm with both teams
making unforced errors but Trinity soon took control of the game
and went 1-0 up, again through Peter Balkeney, notching up his 9th
goal of the tournament. This rattled UU and they soon found themselves
down to 10 men after one of their players was sin binned after a
cynical foul on the enigma, Paul Tuthill. UU were unable to cope
with Tuthill’s skill and he doubled Trinity’s lead finishing off
a move that he started himself. In the second half UU tried to get
a goal to get them back in the game but Trinity were in cruise control
and Phelie Maguire, John Blakeney and Roly Budd completely dominated
the midfield. Trinity even managed to change their goalkeepers,
Johnny Royds who had a great game came off for Cormac Staunton.
With 4 minutes to go UU saw a glimmer of hope by winning a penalty
stroke but it was put wide.
Trinity ended up comfortable 2-0 winners and won the Mauritius
cup for the second time in three years scoring 23 goals to become
the Intervarsities Champions for 2003.
2-11-2003
In their second match of the weekend, the 1st XI faced Three Rock
Rovers at home. Trinity fielded their rovers new boys Peter Blakeney
and Phelie Maguire while rovers fielded their ex Trinity players,
St. John Judd and Chalie Carrol, in what was sure to be an entertaining
game. Trinity took the lead when Philip Balbirnie buried the ball
from the back post from a short corner. The 1sts were playing extremely
well and were controlling the game and should have doubled their
lead but for a missed penalty stroke from Pheilie Maguire. Rovers
however didn’t win the league last year for no reason and soon levelled
through Judd, scoring on his birthday. In the second half Judd recieved
a lovely yellow birthday card from the umpire after calling him
"an absolute idiot". Trinity went 4-1 down in the second
half but got a goal back after Dan Needham won a penalty stroke
which Phelie Maguire bravely put away. In the dying minutes Peter
Balkeney got a Trinity’s third from a short corner but it wasn’t
to be and the game finished 4-3. A dissapointing weekend for the
firsts but they now go into this weeks intervarsites hoping to put
right the problems that are troubling them in the league.
1-11-2003
Having had no match last weekend, the 1sts went into this match
against Aer Lingus thouroghly refreshed. Aer Lingus have started
their season very well and are sitting fourth in the table but Trinity
felt as if they could get points out of this tricky away fixture.
Trinity started the game off very well and had a few early chances.
They soon found themselves one nil up after Peter Blakeney scored
from a short corner. This rattled Aer Lingus and they began to press
forward in search of an equaliser but Trinity were the next to score,
again through Peter Blakeney and found themselves 2-0 up at the
break. After the half time interval, Aer Lingus came out with all
guns blazing and after a defensive mistake they won a short corner
which they scored from to make the scores 2-1. Trinity were under
pressure now and they started to lose control of the game. Inevitably,
Aer Lingus got their equaliser from a penalty stroke. Trinity had
a great chance to go 3-2 up after a break from Mini Blakeney and
a well worked move from Balbirnie and Needham but unfortunately
it wasn’t to be. Aer Lingus soon found a third goal and the final
score ended 3-2 to the pilots. An unfortunate result after a good
performance but Trinity now go into next weeks Intervarsities in
good shape.
The seconds faced Glenanne at home desperate for points after a
string of dissapointing results. Missing his 1st XI players due
to a macth the next day Captain Charlie Fletcher had to field a
slighlty understrength team. Trinity started off well and they were
clinical up front with Ross Cullen Notching up his second hat-trick
of the season. He soon found himself sent off after a fracas with
one of the Glenanne players where he apparently poked one of their
players in the stomach with his stick (see his stick on the player
profiles page) Matt Smith scored the fourth goal and the fianl score
in this highly entertaing match was 4-4. A result but it felt like
2 points lost rather than one gained.
The 3rds lost their match 4-3 to RCSI with goals coming from Colm
D’Olier 2 and Brian "The Rage" Gageby. There was an unusual
occurence in the fourths game as they gained 3 points without even
hitting a ball. In a reversal of the usual scenario, Trinity benefitted
as Railway Union were unable to field a team, this is probably a
frist as it is usually Trinity that are unable to field a team.
25-10-2003
With no 1st XI match this weekend, the seconds were able to field
a full strength team for their Irish Junior Cup Qualifier against
Corinthians 2. On paper, Corinthians were supposed to win this game
comfortably but in reality this was a completely different situation.
The 2nds completely dominated the play and were putting together
some very impressive hockey however Corinthians soon took a two
goal lead very much against the run of play. Knowing that the game
was by no means over, Trinity continued to push forward and were
rewarded by a well taken goal from Daniel Needham on the stroke
of half time, or as Umpire Brian Scully said "35 mimutes 2
seconds". Picking the ball up at the top of the circle he hurdled
over the advancing keeper and cooly slotted the ball home. In the
second half, Corinthians scored another goal to go 3-1 up but some
resilient attacking from Trinty earned them a plethora of short
corners that they just couldn’t seem to convert. The 2nds got a
second from a shot from Philip Balbirnie with had started by a move
put together by Charlie Fletcher but Bal couldn’t seem to find the
net from the short corners. Corinthians got a late goal on the counter
attack to finish 4-1 winners. Trinity could count themselves extremelt
unlucky, but they put in an excellent performance that hopefully
they can build on for the rest of the season.
18-10-2003
The 1st XI faced Pembroke today in the heart of Judd and DJ land,
D4. With Pembroke having Justin "trigger" Sheriff up front,
our defence knew that they were going to be in for a tough day.
Trinity started off quite hesitantly but soon found themselves in
the thick of the action and for parts of the opening 15 minutes
they controlled some of the game. So much so, they earned a penalty
stroke after a penetrating run by Phelie Maguire. Roly Budd stepped
up to take the stroke but it was well saved from the Irish Senior
goalkeeper. Having squandered the chance to take the lead, Trinity
found themselves under a tremendous amount of pressure but the defence
was holding out bravely. 4 minutes later, Trinity surprised the
Serpentine crowd and took the lead. A ball shelled across form the
right by Philip Balbirnie found Phelie Maguire who slotted the bal
under an advancing Nigel Henderson. 1-0. This woke Pembroke up and
within a few minutes they got an equaliser from a lightning drag
flick from Sheriff . Sheriff soon took Pembroke ahead with an other
drag that ricochéd off the under side f the cross bar. The
half time whistle came, much to the relief of the Trinity defence.
However in the second half Sheriff showed why he is one of the top
short corner specialists in the country with another two goals.
Final score was Pembroke 4 Trinity 1. An unfortunate result but
had Sheriff been playing for the Trin the 3 points would have gone
to the trin. See photos of the match here.
The seconds faced Pembroke 3rds the following day but ran out 5-0
losers. Another dissapointing result for Fletcher’s army but hopefully
they can pick themselves up for next weeks Irish Junior Cup qualifier.
In other results the 3rds drew 1-1 with Weston 3rds with a wonder
strike from the Ginger assasin, Hugh Cashell while the 4hts lost
5-o to Suttonians.
11-10-2003
The 1st XI got their first points of the new season today with
a draw against Monkstown. The match started off with both teams
evenly poised and in the opening 5 minutes Monkstown had the better
of the chances but some stout defending from Captain Stephen Findlater
and Brian Scully prevented Monkstown from getting an early lead.
Trinity finally settled into the game and were creating the better
of the chances but unfortunately they couldn’t seem to put the ball
in the back of the net. In the 11th minute, Trinity won their first
corner and Roly Budd hit a ferocious shot that ricochéd off
the upright. Further more corners were won but none produced the
desired effect. In the 28th minute, Monkstown got the opener, very
much against the run of play but within 3 minutes Trinity got the
equaliser through fresher Peter Blakeney who capitalised on some
nervous Monkstown defending. With 15 minutes gone in the second
half, Phelie Maguire earned Trinity a slighly dubious penalty stroke,
with was just put away by Roly Budd, bringing his tally to two goals
in two games. Trinity squandered a few chances to take the lead
and were punished when Monkstown got the equaliser on the brake.
Some late chances for the winner fell to both teams but the match
ended in a 2-2 draw. A good point but it felt like two points lost
rather than one gained. The 1sts now face Railway midweek in the
Neville Cup and have a tough challenge going away to Pembroke next
Saturday.
The 2nds came to UCD on the back of a 7-1 win last week with hopes
of a win to put themselves top of the table. This game had all the
potential to be a cracker but unfortunately it didn’t develop. Trinity
started off very well and had most of the possesion in what looked
like a very ordinary UCD side, but they couldn’t seem to find the
back of the net. They were soon punished by this as the oiks took
the lead from a quick counter attack. UCD went into half time with
a one nil lead but the game certainly was not over. However, as
the second half progressed UCD doubled their lead. Trinity kept
on pushing forwards looking for a goal but to no avail and as a
result of pushing people forward they were caught on the break and
conceded a third. Final score 3-0 to the oiks. A slight glitch in
the seconds aim of getting promoted but nothing that can’t be rectified.
The 2nds face a tough game to Pembroke away next week .
The thirds started off their season in Division 8 with a 5-1 loss
to RCSI ar Fortress Santry while the 4ths got a point against Suttonians
with a 1-1 draw at home. The goal coming from David Morrisey. The
3rds face Weston away next week while the 4ths are also away to
YMCA.
4-10-2003
The opening weekend of the 2003-04 season yielded a mixed set of
results for DUHC. The 1st XI opened their campaign with a home match
against Corinthians. They started off well and dominated the first
20 minutes of the game, at times they even outplayed the visitors.
Unfortunately, DUHC never managed to capitalise on their superiority
by taking the lead, infact Corinthians got the opener from a contentious
penalty stroke decision. This deflated the home side slightly and
shortly afterwards Corinthains scored their second from a thuderous
shot from the top of the circle. With about 5 minutes to go to half
time, Trinity got the breakthrough they so greatly deserved. From
a full press, the corinthians centre back miscontrolled deep in
his own circle with the loose ball being picked up and layed on
a platter for Paul Tuthill to bury home. His shot/pass? across goal
found Roly Budd who slotted the ball into the back of an empty net.
The second half was all Trinity but unfortunatley our chances weren’t
put away and Colin Stewart punished us from a well placed shot from
a short corner. The final score was 3-1 to the visitors which was
a huge dissapointment as we had been the best team for most of the
game.
The 2nd XI got off to a flying start with a 7-1 thrashing of South
East Wanderers at home. Under the helm of Charlie Fletcher, the
seconds played some exciting hockey and were 4-0 up by half time
and were already looking like they were in cruise control. With
Alex Cuppage and Colin Peirce resolute in defence, Trinity were
confident in attacking up the middle through Graham O’Neill and
on the right with Dan " I fink your gorgeous" Needham.
Upfront, the forwards were capitalising on their chances with Ross
Cullen nothching up a hat-trick to propel himself to the top of
the goalscorer list. Other scorers were Nick Wheeler, Alex Cuppage,
Charlie Fletcher and Dan Needham. The seconds face the oiks next
week at Regional Technical College, Donnybrook which has the full
potential to be a crunch match.
This season DUHC will be competing in 4 Leinster Leagues. The 1st
XI have been promoted to Division 1 after winning Division 2 last
year. The 2nd XI avoided relegation and continue to play in Division
4. The 3rd XI finished off a highly succesful season in Division
9 and finished 2nd thus getting promoted to Division 8. The 4th
XI finished off the season finishing bottom of Division 10, thus
ensuring that thier status of the worst team in Leinster remains
intact.
This season DUHC will be competing in 4 Leinster Leagues. The 1st
XI have been promoted to Division 1 after winning Division 2 last
year. The 2nd XI avoided relegation and continue to play in Division
4. The 3rd XI finished off a highly succesful season in Division
9 and finished 2nd thus getting promoted to Division 8. The 4th
XI finished off the season finishing bottom of Division 10, thus
ensuring that thier status of the worst team in Leinster remains
intact.
leinster branch refuse deferral of start of season
On the 28th of July, the Leinster Branch informed us that we would
not be allowed defer the start of the season as had been the usual
case for the past number of years and that the 1st XI would have
to play their first match on the 20th Septemberagainst Pembroke
Wanderers H.C. away. We sent a letter into the branch appealing
this decision and after 2 weeks of hearing nothing from the Branch
we were finally told that we would be granted a deferral but that
we are pre-warned for next year. This means that from next season,
the firsts will be forced to play matches when we still have not
resumed college and we do not know what players we have available
to us from the Schools.
