DCU Force (DCU’s Men’s Rugby 7’s team) finished in third place in the 4th European Universities Rugby 7’s Championship held in Cordoba, Spain from 14-17 July…
DCU won the IRFU Nokia Student 7’s in April and geared up for this tournament with an impressive showing at the Kinsale 7’s.
With over 80 staff and volunteers involved the organisation of the tournament, the opening ceremony was a grand affair with each team walking into the stadium behind their national flag to the tune of local music and dance.
In the women’s final, the University of Bordeaux (France) beat the University of A Coruna (Spain) 10-7.
It was the eventual champions, the University of Coimbra (Portugal) who beat the always competitive Irish side in the semi final. The Portuguese champions included four players who played on the IRB 7’s circuit this season and if this wasn’t enough to contend with, the temperature soared in the midday Spanish sun.
DCU lost by three tries to nil with Coimbra showing all their experience and the benefit of a pre tournament training camp.
The fiercely contested final was won by the University of Coimbra who overcame the University of Montpelier (France) 7-0 and in the women’s final; the University of Bordeaux (France) beat the University of A Coruna (Spain) 10-7.
DCU Squad:
M. Rantz McDonald CAPTAIN, I. Denham, L. Kavanagh, M. Geraghty, E. Cremin, D. Moore, D. Whately, C. Hogan, G. Collins, A. Wallace
Results –
Day 1
DCU 10 v University of Coimbra 17 (PORTUGAL)
Bristol University (UK) 19 v DCU 24
DCU 36 v University of Cordoba (SPAIN) 0
Day 2
University of Montpellier (FRANCE) 24 v DCU 14
University of Barcelona (SPAIN) 5 v DCU 38
DCU 41 v Mainz University (GERMANY) 7
Day 3
New University of Lisbon (PORTUGAL) 07 v DCU 31
Semi Final – DCU 0 v University of Coimbra (Portugal) 15
3rd /4th Place – University of Bristol (UK) v 0 DCU 42
