Late McCarron try earns draw for UCD

Dublin University 20 UCD 20

Former Ireland under-19 Ross McCarron had the final say for UCD at Donnybrook tonight as his late try wrestled away a first Colours win since 1995 away from Dublin University, and sealed a 20-20 draw.

Competing against each other for AIB League Division One points for the first time, Trinity edged the try-count, two to one.

McCarron's 78th minute effort levelled the game, but UCD fly-half Eoghan Hickey - so deadly with the right boot tonight and in his three previous games (53 points) - saw his acutely-angled convert drift wide.

Underdogs Trinity were down 9-7 at the break, despite scoring the first half's only try through second row Martin Garvey. He pounced over the UCD line on 12 minutes after a series of forward drives.

Simon Mitchell converted, but three Hickey penalties gave UCD the edge.

Referee Olan Trevor sin-binned Garvey's lock partner Marc Warburton nearing the hour-mark, but Trinity still held firm at 20-15 through substitute Francis Keane's try.

UCD now top the table on 14 points - one ahead of Garryowen.

Scorers:

Dublin Uni: Martin Garvey, Francis Keane; Cons: Simon Mitchell 2; Pens: Simon Mitchell 2

UCD: Try: Ross McCarron; Pens: Eoghan Hickey 5

Dublin University: S Mitchell; P Howard, B Hastings, J Quigley, B Kinsella; D Crotty, P McCormack; N Conlon, M Crockett, F Gainer, M Garvey, M Warburton, E Molloy, H Hogan (Capt), J Heaslip. Sub used: F Keane for Hastings (36 mins).

UCD: R McCarron; J Norton, K Kennedy, M Hastings, P Bredin (Capt); E Hickey, B O'Riordan; J Moran, C Geoghegan, K Doyle, S Crawford, C Davis, N Coughlan, L Burke, K Croke. Subs used: D Blaney for Geoghegan (half time), B Hall for Moran (55), D McKenna for Kennedy, K McLoughlin for Burke (both 72), D Geraghty for McLoughlin (78).

Referee: Olan Trevor (MAR)