Trinity Take The Spoils At Dooradoyle

Trinity are up to eighth in the table after stringing together wins over Malone and the Light Blues, with increasingly influential out-half Jack McDermott scoring 24 points in the two games.

McDermott landed three penalties in rain-lashed Limerick, the first of them giving Tony Smeeth's youngsters a 3-0 interval lead in wet and windy conditions.

The weather made holding onto possession and creating scoring opportunities particularly difficult, and there was plenty of good defence on display with both sides keeping their discipline under bouts of regular pressure.

The clock was past the half hour mark when McDermott opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty as Garryowen, chasing their third league success on the trot, fell behind.

The hosts lost lock Aaron McCloskey to the sin-bin but recovered well with a close range drive seeing their Kiwi back rower Josh Hrstich (pictured below) touch down for a try on the right which Jamie Gavin failed to convert.

Dublin University knuckled down in determined fashion and duly took advantage after Garryowen were reduced to 14 men again – their scrum half Neill Cronin saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on.

Trinity's USA international winger Tim Maupin, who is part of the Eagles' November tour squad, produced a smart finish out wide to claim his second league try. McDermott's conversion effort was off target.

The nip and tuck nature of the game continued as Garryowen out-half Gavin fired over a tricky penalty at the other end to bring his side level at 8-all.

The conditions proved favourable for the students at this stage, a strong wind backing McDermott as he notched two closing penalties to settle the issue.

Conan Doyle's Garryowen side remain third overall but are now eight points adrift of table toppers Ballymena. Buoyant Trinity will target their third straight victory at home to bottom side Shannon next Saturday.

Referee: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)