RCSI-Beaumont Hospital have been crowned the winners of the129th Dublin Hospitals Cup, beating UCD's Mater Hospital on a final score of 27-12.

The victory, which took place on Friday, 22 December in front of a packed crowd in Old Belvedere RFC, brought RCSI-Beaumont Hospital’s nine-year drought to an end.

A thrilling game from the start, RCSI-Beaumont were determined and never gave the UCD-Mater an opportunity to get ahead.

Speaking after the match, final year Medicine student and team captain, Martin Davey commented: “It's been nine years coming but we are delighted to have finally get our hands on the Hospitals' Cup. It was a great game on the night and always nice to get one over on the old enemy, the Mater Hospital who were defending champions.

"On behalf of the team, I'd like to thank our consultants and everyone in RCSI and Beaumont Hospital for their ongoing support. Let's hope that we can retain the historic trophy in 2018.”

Before the game, RCSI's Prof. Mick Farrell was inducted into the Hospitals Cup Hall of Fame.

The Dublin Hospital Cup is the oldest trophy in world rugby, it was established in 1881 by a group of surgeons and physicians from Dublin hospitals.

Photography courtesy of Oliver O'Flanagan