UCC, twice winners of the Challenging Times times, found a rejuvenated am too much to overcome, as Trinity moved into the semi-final of the Irish Times/RTE third-level quiz.
In one of the most closely-fought quarter-finals in recent years, TCD eventually pulled ahead to win 235-190, the first time that TCD has reached the semi-finals since 1992.
TCD was represented by the sole survivor of last year's team, Ivan Morrin, with TonX Wall and William "Christy Mann. UCC was represented by Paul O'Leary, Shane Power and Tracy O'Keefe, the last woman in the competition.
Tonight, Challenging Times celebrates its 100th programme as DCU risk a lifetime of parking fines by taking on the Garda College in the second quarter-final.
Challenging Times can be seen every Tuesday at 8.30 pm on RTE 1 and is repeated on Fridays at 11 am, again on RTE 1. The question-master is, as ever, Neil Jordan's escort for the Oscars, Kevin Myers.
