South Dublin Sport

UCD MARIAN endured men’s Hula Hoops National Cup final pain for the second successive season as Pyrobel Killester nicked the title ended their own nine-year drought in a battle that came down to a frantic final few seconds.

Ballybrack Bulls will face Cork Rebel Wheelers for the Hula Hoops IWA National Cup wheelchair basketball final at the NBA in Tallaght this Friday evening (6.30pm).

ail Division 1B St Mary’s College15 Old Wesley41  ken browne sport@dublingazette.com AFTER December saw Old Wesley record a long overdue victory over St Mary’s, they completed the double over the AIL Division 1B double over their rivals at Templeville Road last Saturday. They were in control throughout, bossing the key parts of the game to run out winners by 26-points to move into a share of top spot with next opponent Malone on 28 points. From the kick-off, they were doing the attacking from a strong foothold in opposition territory. Rory Stynes pulled the first scoring opportunity from a medium range penalty wide while a strong run by Tommy O’Callaghan had Mary’s on the back foot, but his pass to Paul Harte did not go to hand. Stynes did put them in front with his second penalty shot but Mary’s did respond in kind via Marcus O’Driscoll for 3-3. From the restart, however, Wesley were again on the attack and finding weaknesses in the Mary’s backline. A break by Charlie O’Regan brought play up to the five-metre line and, under pressure, Mary’s conceded a penalty and a yellow card. From the ensuing lineout, the Wesley pack pummelled the opposition line before eventually swinging the ball out to the backs for Tom Kiersey to cross untouched for a try which was converted with ease by Stynes. As half time approached, Wesley turned down the option of clearing to touch from inside their own half. Instead they launched a counter attack with the ball being passed through many hands in Barbarians style. The gamble paid off when Ben Burns broke through a weak tackle to finalise the move with a try near the posts. Stynes again added the points to give Old Wesley a well deserved 17-3 lead at half time. Mary’s had a better start to the second half, probing the Wesley line on a couple of occasions. But they were caught cold when a neat chip ahead by Kiersey was picked up by James O’Donovan who showed his speed and strength to touch down under the posts. Straight from the kick off, they were back attacking with some great carries, getting them up to the Mary’s 22, when JJ O’Dea received the final pass. Arms flaying, he got over for try number four despite the efforts of the home defenders. At 31-3, the result and the bonus point were in the bag. Stynes added a further penalty goal and Burns was again on hand to fight off the final tackler to score under the posts. The hosts eventually found another gear with two late tries. The first saw substitute Hugo Conway outsprint the Wesley defence down the wing for a converted try. Five minutes later, following a bout of pressure, Padraig Dundon bundled over for a second.

Three Rock Rovers produced a superb second half performance to land the men’s Leinster indoor hockey league title, seeing off Railway Union 6-4 in the final at St Columba’s College, Rathfarnham.

New Ireland Assurance Dub Stars Dublin 4-13 Dub Stars 1-9 By Daire Walsh FOXROCK Cabinteely’s Hannah O’Neill recorded a...

UCD’s Mike Garrow reaches with Belfast’s Paddy McGaharan for the ball. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

UCD woman Lena Tice will find out this week if she is the first Irish woman to win an International Hockey Federation player of the year award as she is nominated in the Rising Star category.

Stackstown's Padraig Harrington was named as the European captain on Monday for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

Old Wesley showed up the divisional gaps between the sides as they led from start to finish to win Division 2 of the Leinster Senior League at Energia Park, winning out 41-5.

Conor Meany admits his UCD Marian side will be underdogs when they take on Belfast Star in the semi-finals of basketball's National Cup in Cork this weekend.