DCU SAINTS 0-58 UNIV. OF LIMERICK VIKINGS

Venue: UL Sports Ground, Limerick.

Scorers: (All Vikings)
1st Quarter: Chris Bassitt 48 yard pass from Jeremiah Sexton, Andrew Gordon 2xpt (0-8); Glen Carr 21 yard run, Andrew Gordon 2xpt (0-16).
2nd Quarter: Andrew Gordon 2 yard run (0-22) ; Michael Toomey 18 yard pass from Jeremiah Sexton (0-28 ); Chris Bassitt 8 yard pass from Jeremiah Sexton, Alex Smith 2xpt from Jeremiah Sexton (0-36).
3rd Quarter: Chris Bassitt 7 yard pass from Jeremiah Sexton (0-42); Seamus Hogan 30 yard run, Glen Carr 2xpt from Jeremiah Sexton (0-50).
4th Quarter: Seamus Hogan 4 yard run, Michael Toomey 2xpt (0-58 ).

The Vikings shut out the Saints in the first ever competitive game between two university sides – this being the Saints first ever game. Although they started brightly, the experience of the Vikings eventually began to show. After a promising opening series by the Saints, in which they were able to keep the chains moving with a couple of good runs to the outside. Eventually UL managed to force a 3 and out and get their offense on the field.

On the Vikings' first offensive play, they went for it all on a flea-flicker trick play. It paid off as QB Jeremiah Sexton hooked up with WR Chris Bassit down the right sideline for a 48 yard touchdown. RB Andrew Gordon ran in for the 2 extra points.

The quick TD fired up the rest of the Limerick team and their defense came out determined not to let DCU move the ball. DE Eoin Carroll and the rest of the Vikings D-Line stopped the Saints from moving the ball and forced several 3 and outs.

Towards the end of the first quarter, with the Vikings near the red-zone, TE Glen Carr scored a TD on a TE reverse, breaking several tackles on his way to the endzone. Once again, Gordon added the 2 PAT.

On the Saints next series, after going 3 and out, they were forced to punt in their own territory. The Vikings went all out to block the kick and Jeremiah Sexton, now in at LB managed to block the kick. He picked up the ball and returned it inside the 10 yard line to end the 1st quarter.
Two plays later, RB Andrew Gordon ran it in for 6 from 2 yards out.

Soon after, QB Jeremiah Sexton managed to hook up with WR Michael Toomey in the endzone. The pass, intended for Michéal Ryan, was tipped and Toomey reacted quickest to snag the ball out of the air for 6 points.

The Saints were able to move the ball well on the ground but never really looked like breaking through to score.

Towards the end of the half, the Vikes once again found themselves in the red-zone. With 0:01 left on the clock, on 3rd and goal from the 8, Sexton found Chris Bassitt in the corner of the endzone for another TD. Sexton passed to FB Alex Smith for the extra 2 to end the half.

Although down by 36 at Half Time, DCU never gave up. They came out in multi-receiver sets and managed to confuse the Vikings' defense and move the ball well. The Saints had moved into the Vikings half, when a fumbled snap was recovered by Vikings DT Declan O'Donnell. The Vikes capitalised several plays later when confusion in the Saints defense left WR Chris Bassitt wide open in the endzone where Sexton found him for his 3rd receiving TD of the game.

FB Seamus Hogan scored soon after on a 30 yard run to increase the score to 50-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

In the 4th quarter, both teams gave some of their backups a run and DCU probably had the better of the quarter and were moving the ball well. However, FB Seamus Hogan scored his 2nd TD of the game on a 4 yard run up the middle, and Michael Toomey ran in the 2 to make the final score 58-0.

Although beaten heavily, the DCU Saints never gave up and kept fighting until the final whistle but the experience of the UL Vikings showed in the end.

It was a great performance by the Vikings but DE Alex Smith, QB Jeremiah Sexton and S Liam Ryan stood out.