The Freshers hurlers set out for Waterford last Wednesday knowing that no less than 60 minutes of pure sweat and blood hurling would be enough to beat a fancied WIT team.

Early signs were not good for DCU as a point after 10 seconds was quickly followed by a WIT free. In the third minute Paddy MacAvinue popped over a free to settle the DCU lads and points followed from Ronan Lenihan and Charles Walsh as DCU enjoyed a strong period of dominance. However, this was to be short lived as on the 18th minute some scrappy play in the DCU box resulted in a WIT goal. DCU were hit to the bone as WIT rallied and tacked on another point and what can only be described as a fluke of a goal before the break. Charles Walsh was again on hand at the stroke of half time to steady the ship and leave just five points in it at the interval.

DCU started the 2nd half eager to overturn the deficit and early pressure resulted in a number of successfully converted frees. At full back Joe Coughlan was in outstanding form launching ball after ball out of the DCU defence. Waterford though just wouldn’t give an inch and heartbreakingly for DCU they responded time and time again with points of their own. On the 25th minute two fine saves from DCU keeper Eoin MacNamara spurred on the DCU lads as they went in search of a goal that might give them some hope. In the 28th minute Paddy MacAvinue put over the last of his six frees to leave two goals between the sides and give some hope to the Dubliners. Unfortunately all hope was dashed not 30 seconds later as WIT struck for a fantastic goal at the other end, in effect ending the game.

Though it might be the end of the road for the freshers many will definitely be back in a DCU shirt when next years senior competition commences and there’s no doubt that happier days lie ahead.
DCU: Eoin MacNamara, Simon Crean, Joe Coughlan, Tomas Moran, Jack Lee, David Lennon, Liam Burns, Donal Doyle, Paddy MacAvinue (0-6, all frees), Matt Corrigan, Ronan Lenihan (0-1), Alan O’Connor, Neil McDonald, Charles Walsh (0-2), Paddy Mone. Subs: Ciaran O’Machaigh and John O’ for Jack Lee and Paddy Mone.