The Belfast Trojans returned to the site of their 2008 playoff defeat to kick off the 2009 IAFL season against reigning champion University of Limerick Vikings. The Vikings’ defense stamped their authority on the game early, forcing the Trojans to punt the ball back to the Vikings after their first three plays went for no gain. The Vikings started their first offensive possession on their 32 yard line, and Adrian Garvey made Belfast pay almost immediately, picking up two first downs and a touchdown as the Vikings marched to an early 7-0 lead.

After a couple of three and outs by each team, Seamus Hogan picked off the Trojans QB at the end of the 1st quarter to give the Vikings good field position, and Shamrock Bowl MVP Garvey scored one play later to put the Vikings up 14-0, and put him over the 100 yard mark for the 1st quarter.

The Trojans finally managed to gain their a first down on the last play of the first half, but that success was to be short lived, as CB Seamus Hogan picked off his second pass of the day, and after a mazy run took it back 73 yards for his first TD of the afternoon to give the Vikings a 21-0 lead. With Garvey over the 100 yard mark, and Limerick already looking in control, the Vikings sent in rookie Colm Cronin, who, on his first play from scrimmage in the IAFL took the ball 66 yards for a TD, but it was called back after an illegal block by a Vikings’ lineman. Despite being denied his first IAFL touchdown, Cronin guided the Vikings into the redzone, where QB Liam Ryan scored on a 19 yard bootleg to make the score 28-0.

With the half quickly approaching, the Vikings scored 15 points in the last two minutes to deny the Trojans any hope they had of a comeback. Sparked by a Michael Guinane interception, Colm Cronin quickly scored on an 18 yard run, and after a great kickoff by Glen Carr, the Trojans found themselves starting their next drive inside their 5 yard line. Two plays later, DT Carr tackled the running back just inside the endzone for a safety with just a handful of seconds left on the clock. Cronin stood back to return the ensuing free kick and, showing great elusiveness and burst on the return, scored his second touchdown in as many minutes to end the half.

The Trojans showed much more fight in the second half on both sides of the ball, managing to make inroads against a tough Limerick defense, the highlight being a 44 yard pass that looked to be going for 6 points, only for safety Michael Guinane to get across to make the touchdown saving tackle. Belfast’s defense also improved from their first half showing, as they managed to generate more pressure on the passer, and managed to force a fumble on a great sack of JP Nerbun. Limerick struggled to be as successful on offense as they had been in the first half, with Adrian Garvey and Liam Ryan being taken out of the game after the 3rd quarter.

Seamus Hogan, who had been the star running back for Limerick over the past two years, showed that he is still as dangerous as ever as he ripped off a 39 yard run early in the 4th to seal the game MVP award for his performance on both sides of the ball. Although the Trojans did not look like the force they were last year, especially without star player Erin Wagner, the Vikings will be happy with their performance on Sunday. They now look forward to facing the Dublin Rebels in two weeks time in what should be a great match up as the Rebels look for revenge after last year’s narrow Shamrock Bowl defeat.