IF the name Dominic Crotty didn't mean too much to UCD before Saturday's engagement at Belfleld - which doubled as a Division Three match and Dudley Cup decider - it certainly won't slip their minds in the future.
Crotty, the UCC fullback, was the toast of Cork after another majestic performance that clinched promotion to Division Two next season, earned them the Dudley Cup and also ensures their participation in a newly-mooted European Universities competition next year.
As the home side, UCD may have expected some measure of respect. But they were left waiting. UCC were the better all-round side and, in Crotty, they possess a gem just waiting to be polished. He could indeed have the qualities required to play at the highest level, with the right guidance.
For the second successive week Crotty scored a hat-trick of tries (having accomplished a similar feat against Waterpark), but it is a matter of debate if any effort in his short career can match the try conjured up in the 61st minute: It was 10 seconds of pure genius, the full-back shrugging off one UCD hand after another and running 65 yards to touch the ball down for a try that killed off any lingering hopes held by the home team.
UCC's centre Ronan O'Gara had actually opened the match as the man most likely to capture the silverware for them, kicking two penalty goals inside 15 minutes. However, Crotty grabbed the first of his three tries in the 20th minute when bursting over the UCD line after being supplied by scrum-half Dave Daly.
UCD's cause was not helped by the poor kicking of Emmet Farrell who missed two relatively straight-forward penalties shortly before half-time - UCC led 11-0 at the break - and winger Donagh Keeshan dived over (after a great break by John Kelly) for another UCC try in the 48th minute which increased their lead to 16 points.
Finally, UCD managed to put up the semblance of a fight. Good work by Brian Scally and Farrell enabled them to break UCC's cover and out-half Richard Governey was on hand to claim a 56th minute try, converted by Farrell.
Their joy was short-lived, though, with Crotty's magnificent solo run in the 61st minute bringing UCC's supporters - and, indeed, UCD aficionados - to their feet.
As if to rub salt into UCD wounds, Crotty scored his third try - and UCC's fourth - just two minutes from the end to give the Cork students an emphatic win to end life in Division Three.
