Dublin City University created history on SSI/IRFU Rugby finals day as they completed a hat trick off titles from the six finals played in the past 7 days, including the Brendan Johnston Cup, Women’s Tier 1 Cup and Men’s Tier 3 Cup.

In what is an annual festival of rugby organised by Student Sport Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union, finals day was this year hosted by Dublin City University in the impressive surroundings of DCU Morton Stadium and also on DCU Sports Campus in St Claires.
This years Brendan Johnston Cup Final was an absolute classic with Dublin City University turning over first time finalists University College Cork after a titanic battle on a 35-34 scoreline. DCU held a slender 20-17 lead at half time and after pushing over 10 points clear in the second half, were caught with only minutes left as UCC moved 34-32 in front, however a last minute penalty was enough to see DCU collect the honours.

In the Women’s Tier 1 Cup Final DCU dominated from the off and powered over UCD on a 43-7 scoreline. The winners put in a blistering first half display and ran in some fantastic tries, but credit to UCD who really stood firm in the second half and played their part in another great final.

DCU’s third triumph came in the first final played in Morton Stadium on the day as they collected the Men’s Tier 3 Cup title against Munster Technological University Kerry on a 28-10 score line. DCU were more clinical at finishing their chances and this was ultimately what decided the contest.

Technological University Shannon Midwest brought the Men’s Tier 2 Cup title home to Limerick as they defeated four in a row chasing UCC in a very close final, with the Shannonsiders getting over the line 33-26.

University College Cork and South East Technological University Carlow went all the way to extra time in the Women’s Tier 2 Cup final, as the sides finished level at the end of normal time. UCC came from behind in injury time to get the job done 26-24.

The final game of the SSI/IRFU Cup season saw Queens University Belfast and MTU Cork meet in Tullamore RFC in the Women’s Tier 3 Cup Final and it was a game to remember for Ciara Fitzsimons from Queens as she ran in 5 tries in a 31-26 victory, credit must go to MTU Cork who fought back bravely in the second half and were within a whisker of turning a 20 point deficit into victory.

Congratulations to all the victors and thank you to our hosts DCU and Tullamore RFC and to Leinster Rugby’s Hayley Wythe for co-ordinating umpires for all 6 finals.