LIT Rugby Celebrate with City Of Derry RFC
4th November 2005 By Munster Rugby
Limerick Institute of Technology were involved in City OF Derry RFC’s recent 125th anniversary celebrations
On November 1st last, City of Derry Rugby Club celebrated their 125th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Limerick Institute of Technology attended a reception in the guildhall, Derry city, hosted by the Mayor of Derry and attended by the Derry City Council.
They had also played a University of Ulster selection at the Derry RFC grounds earlier on where the current All Ireland colleges Champions overcame a very spirited University of Ulster side.
Limerick Institute of Technology 15-University of Ulster 7
Limerick Institute of Technology defeated the University of Ulster at City of Derry Rugby Club last Monday in a game which was part of their 125th Anniversary Celebrations. LIT are the current Irish Colleges champions and were invited to Derry by Moss Dineen both President of City of Derry RFC and The Irish Colleges Rugby Union.
The game was an opportunity for the Universities of Magee, Coleraine and Jordanstown to play as a combined team. The game would have been good preparation for their colors game against Queens University later in the season. It is hoped that after the success of this game that it will become an annual fixture building closer ties between all Universities.
The Limerick boys had the benefit of the wind and rain in the first half and pressed the Ulster line for long periods. There was stout defense for the UU and especially from local Derry players Gareth Tucker and Emmett Glen and also from Andrew Barrett and David Beggs both of Jordanstown. The only score of a fiercely contested first half was an unconverted try from the very impressive Limerick full back Pat O Connor who plays Division one rugby with Shannon. The half time score was 5pts to nil in favor of the Munster men.
The second half saw Limerick back on the attach and an opportunist try by their out half Shane Mulally converted by Brian Moran gave them a comfortable lead. The University of Ulster came back strong and after good play by Marc O Loan, Kevin Dunn and Gary Hall allowed Captain Stephen Corr to score a try which was converted by Jordan Frampton. This left the score 12-7 in favor of LIT and the game was in the balance but up stepped Brian Moran to kick a long ranged penalty to win the game for the ICRU champions. The Limerick officials and players enjoyed their first experience of Derry s Halloween Festival later that evening and are making plans to visit the city next year.
