Varsity goal-fest puts UCD in pole position

UCD’s men became the first side to qualify for the semi-finals of the Intervasities and can enjoy a good night tonight as – in light of UL’s late withdrawal – their three wins today completed their group stage with a 100pc record.

They fired 26 goals in their three games, beating Queens (10-0), UCC (8-1) and CIT (8-0) with 15 player from their 18 man panel on target. Those three will battle for the second semi-final place from Pool B tomorrow.

In the other group, the Ulster Elks look the most intimidating prospect. They smashed RCSI 18-0 in their only game. Trinity top the group, though, by virtue of an 8-0 win over the Surgeons and a 2-2 draw with DCU.

DCU, with the Harte twins in tow, recovered from two goals down to take a point from that tie; Fingal’s Chris Neville and Pembroke's Conor Harte’s penalty stroke tying the game up which saw Three Rock third’s sharp-shooter Philly Shearer causing all manner of havoc. It makes goal difference a possibly decisive factor in tomorrow’s fixtures.

In the Chilean Cup, UCD’s women had a similarly productive day and are the sole side left with a 100pc record in Pool A. Two neatly worked corner routines did for Trinity in a 2-0 result while a 10-0 thrashing of CIT means they lead the pack.

Trinity and UU head the chase following their 3-3 tie in the game of the day. The Dubliners led three time with Irene Gorman and Kylie Deverall on the mark.

But they were pegged back each time, first by Suman Bala then Caroline Smith and Roxy Turner; each time mere minutes after the Trin had nicked the lead.

Should UU beat UCD tomorrow in a repeat of last year’s ISC semi-final, the Ulster side will more than likely take up the second qualifying place but a loss could once again see goal difference brought into play.
In Pool B, UCC look set to yet again make the semi-finals with two wins from the tournament’s opening throes.

Ali O’Regan’s double underpinned a 3-0 win over UL while Miriam Crowley struck twice in a 5-1 win over NUI Galway. DCU also have two wins from two, beating UL (1-0) and RCSI (5-2).

Intervarsity results:
Chilean Cup:
Pool A: UU Elks 1 Queens 0; UCD 2 Trinity 0; UU Elks 3 Trinity 3; UCD 10 CIT 0; Queens 3 CIT 0
Pool B: UCC 3 UL 0; DCU 5 RCSI 2; UCC 5 NUI Galway 1; UL 0 DCU 1; UL 0 RCSI 0

Mauritius Cup:
Pool B: UCD 10 QUB 0; UCD 8 UCC 1; UCD 8 CIT 0
Pool A: UU Elks 18 RCSI 0; Trinity 2 DCU 2; Trinity 8 RCSI 0

* Photos courtesy of David Foster