Every year, teams across Trinity gear up for their Colours clash against UCD — a sporting calendar highlight. Trinity Basketball, however, has long awaited the chance to face UCD again, with the storied rivalry on an extended hiatus. The long-anticipated return of the Colours Basketball Games brought drama, determination, and an electrifying crowd, shifting attention back to the court.
Featuring three high-stakes matches — Freshers, Women’s Varsity, and Men’s Varsity – it was a night packed with everything fans could ask for — and more: dramatic comebacks, high-pressure heroics, and a finale that came down to the wire. When the dust settled, UCD lifted the Mullan Somers Cup, taking two of the night’s three contests.
Freshers Game: Alternating Quarters, Intense Finish
The Freshers match opened the action, rotating between women’s quarters, men’s quarters, and a mixed final stretch. The pace was relentless, the outcome uncertain, and the energy undeniable — a chaotic and thrilling contest from start to finish.
Trinity came out strong, taking an early 4–2 lead just two minutes in, capped off by a composed floater from Alannah O’Connell. Trinity came out with energy on both ends and found early success, but UCD steadied themselves during the men’s rotation, eventually pulling ahead 39–31 midway through the third quarter.
The game quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle. The mixed rotation ignited Trinity’s momentum, fuelling a fierce comeback that saw them surge ahead 50–49, sparking chants from the crowd. The intensity only grew as the teams entered the final stretch deadlocked at 58–58 — game on.
“The game quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle”
But in the closing stretch, UCD locked in defensively and found just enough offensive rhythm to pull ahead. With a flurry of late scores and big stops, they held off Trinity’s final push to take the opening win 72–64.
UCD’s Freshers team walked away with more than just the win — they swept many of the individual accolades, too. Jack Finn and Kenzi Francis were named Ceantar Pizza Co. MVPs, while Trinity’s own Bree Shelley earned Basketball Ireland News Top Performer honours for her dynamic, all-around performance. On the sidelines, UCD coaches Stephen Finn and Sinéad Keane received Swish All Hoops Coaching Recognition for their composed leadership in a fast-paced, high-pressure contest.
In the end, despite a spirited comeback and relentless pressure from Trinity, it was UCD’s late-game poise that ultimately secured the win and a sweep of the Freshers honours.
Women’s Varsity: From Trailing to Triumphant
In the second of the night’s three fixtures, the Trinity Women’s Varsity team overcame a quarter-by-quarter deficit to stage a stunning final-quarter comeback against a sharp UCD side, igniting the crowd and setting up a dramatic finale.
Trailing at the end of each of the first three quarters, Trinity had their backs against the wall. Down 10–17 after the first and still behind by five entering the final period, UCD appeared firmly in control. But what followed was all heart. Trinity’s full-court pressure forced turnovers, their transition game caught fire, and a deep three cut the gap before a flurry of drives ignited the crowd.
With nine seconds left, Trinity led 52–48. Trinity added one more point before the buzzer sounded, finishing 53–48.
It was a remarkable reversal — a clutch performance across the board, culminating in a 53–48 win that brought the house down and set the stage for a decisive Men’s Varsity clash.
Trinity’s standout performance was matched by individual recognition. Hannah Murphy earned Ceantar Pizza Co. MVP honours for her leadership and presence on the court, while UCD’s Jessie Li claimed BasketballIrelandNews Top Performer for her timely scoring and consistent impact. Franciska and Ciara Mulligan were also acknowledged by Swish All Hoops for guiding Trinity through a high-pressure second half with poise and smart adjustments.
In the end, it was Trinity’s resilience and fourth quarter firepower that turned the tide — earning them a hard-fought win and a share of the spotlight heading into the Men’s Varsity decider.
“In the end, it was Trinity’s resilience and fourth quarter firepower that turned the tide”
Men’s Varsity: UCD Clinch the Cup by a Single Point
With each side having claimed a win, the Men’s Varsity game became the decider — and it was close from start to finish. Trinity started strong, leading 13–3 after the first quarter and extending that advantage to 26–14 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Trinity remained in control with a 38–24 lead.
In the fourth quarter, UCD began to close the gap. With one minute remaining, Trinity still held a narrow lead at 49–46. However, UCD were able to edge ahead in the final moments. The match ended 49–48 in UCD’s favour — a one-point victory that sealed the overall Colours title and secured them the Mullan Somers Cup.
Capping off an unforgettable night of basketball, standout performances were also acknowledged: Eoin McNeile (UCD) was named Ceantar Pizza Co. MVP, and Daniel O’Toole (Trinity) earned BasketballIrelandNews Top Performer for his overall performance. Adam Drummond and Murray Baker, coaching the UCD side, received Swish All Hoops Coaching Recognition.
In a thrilling finale that came down to the wire, UCD’s narrow victory not only clinched the game but also crowned them overall champions in a Colours showdown to remember.
UCD Lift the Mullan Somers Cup
With two wins from three, UCD claimed the 2025 Colours title and lifted the Mullan Somers Cup. But the night was about more than just results — that’s our narrative anyway.
After 25 years without a Colours basketball clash, this was more than a return — a revival. Packed stands, proud alumni, emotional players, and new chapters are written into the rivalry’s long history.
From early-game floaters to final-buzzer heartbreaks, from tense huddles to eruptions of celebration, the day delivered everything a rivalry should. The Colours are back for basketball, and they’re here to stay this time.
“From early-game floaters to final-buzzer heartbreaks, from tense huddles to eruptions of celebration, the day delivered everything a rivalry should”
After 25 years of waiting, Colours basketball didn’t just return — it made sure no one will ever forget it again.
