UL Vikings 22-6 Belfast Bulls

1st Quarter: Vikings TD, Kieran Coen, fumble recovery. 2 pt conversion Seamus Hogan to Glen Carr.

2nd Quarter: Bulls TD, Mike Calo 6 yrd pass

3rd Quarter: no scoring

4th Quarter: Vikings TD, Seamus Hogan 15yrd run. x pt no good.

Vikings TD, Glen Carr 20 yard pass from Seamus Hogan. 2 pt conversion by Adrian Garvey

The UL Vikings played the Belfast Bulls this weekend in a game that was dominated by tough hard hitting defences. It was played in excellent conditions and both teams had solid performances on offence but it was the defences that shone in Belfast.

The Bulls started well with a solid kick return taking them into Viking territory. The Viking defence came out with all guns blazing and LB Bill Parkinson sacked the Bulls QB on the first play of the game. The Bulls recovered and moved the ball on the ground through their backs but were forced to punt. The Vikings Offense led by Seamus Hogan stormed down the pitch on their first drive through some good catches by Seamus Feehan and strong running from James Twomey and Adrian Garvey. The Vikings were stopped on a fourth down and the rest of the quarter was dominated by both defences unwilling to give up field position. The first score of the game was through excellent defensive play, DE Jim Davis broke the line on a Bulls pass play and reached the QB before he passed. The ball was jarred loose from the hit and Vikings DT Kieran Coen recovered the fumble in the end zone for his first TD of his 6 year Viking career. The two point conversion was completed to TE Glen Carr.

The Bulls fought back next quarter with good yards on the ground and some great catches by WR Mike Calo including one where he kept control of the ball on the sideline after being drilled by Vikings safety Liam Ryan. The UL defense turned the ball over in their own redzone and as the Vikings tried to move out of their territory the Bulls forced a fumble and they recovered on the Vikings 5 yard line. Two plays later Mike Calo caught a fade pass in the endzone for the Bulls. The 2 point conversion was stopped by the the Viking D-Line. Seamus Hogan led the Viking O back out and moved the ball well and were quickly deep in the Bulls territory. Time expired before they could put points on the board.

The second half was dominated by strong defence. The Bulls defended their goalline on a Viking first and goal after a brilliant run from RB James Twomey. The Vikings forced a number of turnovers in the third quarter, with Daniel Smith and Matt Sheehan recovering fumbles. The fourth quarter began with the Vikings in possession and in the Bulls half. TE Glen Carr made a nice catch to pick up yards. Adrian Garvey picked up yards on the ground and then Seamus Hogan sprinted around the end for a 15 yard gain to put the Vikings ahead 14-6. The Bulls came out pass heavy to try and get back in the game but the Vikings secondary was up to the challenge with Liam Ryan putting in some big hits to prevent completions and Mike Guinane and Seamus Feehan playing well in coverage. TE Glen Carr then caught a beautiful pass from Hogan in the endzone and Garvey punched in the 2 points to put the Vikings up 22-6. Daniel Smith then closed out the game with a nice interception with time ticking down.

Game MVP: Vikings Safety Liam Ryan for a physical display at the safety spot.