By @SimonCocking

TCD, Santry, Trinity win intervarsities for first time since 2009!

Slightly unexpectedly Trinity came good in the final and won against a useful looking UCD team.

On route to the final UCD had dispatched their opponents with more to spare than TCD. Sometimes though a series of close games can make you a tougher prospect for the final, and this proved to be true for TCD this year.

Across the other pitches there was a lot of high quality ultimate on display. Both losing semi finalists looked like good teams with a lot of depth and exciting future potential. For UCC losing to UCD meant an absence from the final for the first time in around 7 years. However they played well and weren’t much off the pace. Similarly UL looked very promising, only being squeezed out of the final on universe point by the eventual winners.

The wind was a big factor on both days. On Saturday especially upwind / down wind points were crucial, and at least one game went the way of the team that begin the game upwind (by choice or not).

The teams finishing from 5 – 8 all played well and showed they were able to deal with the tricky wind conditions. Maynooth took 5th beating NUIG, potentially marking the end of the Zombie (Brian Óg Caball) led era, as a whole group of seriously talented players will now graduate. Maynooth have been a great example of how a relatively small squad can grow and develop over four years and achieve some fantastic results. It will be interesting to see how the next crop step up.

DCU and UCC2 filled out the top 8 rankings. DCU provided the perfect riposte to issues about seeding. Four straight wins took them right back into the top 8 and showed if you’re good enough you’ll get back to the ranking you feel you’re due.

Queens looked strong, and DIT continued their yoyo existence between top 8 and plate finals. Beyond the top 10, were the various second teams and ITB. Overall this shows the continuing growth and depth of Irish college ultimate. It’s an impressive testament to the work of Dominick Smyth and everyone else working at the schools level that these teams have increasing numbers of players who have already played high level tournaments before even reaching college age.

Sunday morning started brutally, with lots of wind and rain. It is still a shame to see teams dropping out of games on the Sunday, especially as the weather continued to improve throughout the day. This in itself may be one of the final learning curves for more inexperienced players, of the need to pace yourself across two days. ITB, and UCD2 among others not completing their fixtures on the Sunday. This is a shame as you learn so much more by playing than conceding.

Well done to DIT for winning the plate final, for the 2nd time in 3 years, for a sequence of 9th, 8th, 9th, yoyo anyone?

Well done to Trinity for hosting and organising the tournament. Hopefully Irish college ultimate will continue to thrive and grow!

The 14 year roll of honour

2002 TCD 2003 UCD 2004 UCD 2005 UCD

2006 TCD 2007 TCD 2008 TCD 2009 TCD

2010 UCC 2011 UCC 2012 UCC 2013 UCC

2014 UCD 2015 TCD