DCU Finish On Top In All-Ireland Student Sevens
Dublin City University, in conjunction with IRFU Third Level Development Officer Eoin Hogan, hosted the Nokia All-Ireland Student Sevens tournament earlier this week at the DCU Sport Grounds.
The tournament consisted of 14 college and university teams ranging from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown to the Institute of Technology, Tralee and was played in glorious sunshine at the North Dublin venue.
IRFU Third Level Development Officer Eoin Hogan said: “I originally approached DCU about hosting this event as they are the only college – that I know of – with a designated rugby Sevens club.”
The tournament was driven tirelessly by Max Rantz-McDonald who borrowed on all his experience on the Sevens circuit to create a carnival-like atmosphere that Hong Kong would have been proud of.
Among the spectators on the day included DCU Alumni Jamie Heaslip and DJ for the day Cian Healy.
On the field IT Carlow, bolstered by ex-New Zealand Sevens player Massey Tuhakaraina and skippered by Karl Miller, convincingly won the Plate decider on a scoreline of 26-7 against a spirited Smurfit Business School who were marshalled by Richie Armstrong.
The Cup final was a very competitive affair. For long periods it looked like IT Tallaght were going to rip up the script when Terenure terrier Richie O’Neill evened the scores towards the end of the first half and Alex Dunlop was denied with what looked like a high tackle close to the line.
DCU rallied however and tries from player of the tournament David Mongan and Ian Denham, added to the earlier effort from former Ireland Sevens player Kevin Croke, sealed the win for the hosts on a scoreline of 17-7.
DCU will now travel to Kinsale Sevens this weekend, and then on to the European University Rugby Sevens Championship in Cordoba, Spain.
Related Links –
Nokia All-Ireland Student Sevens