UCD took their rampaging form to Navan on Sunday 13th of April. The Bulldogs were the last team to take to the field in Ireland’s second tier, with everyone else having completed at least one game.
An SBC play off team in 2013, the students have been wreaking havoc on IAFL1 teams in their two opening games. Dispatching Mullingar 26-0 and then crushing the reformed Cork Admirals 56-0. An offence on fire and an impregnable defence. These, most observers agree, are the ingredients of a Championship Season. Preseason predictions proffered that UCD should traverse the pitfalls of the IAFL1 with ease but all suggested that the Bulldogs would be their toughest opponents.
The Bulldogs have not been without turmoil in their offseason preparations, the loss of Offensive Co-Ordinator David Rothwell was keenly felt and a redesign of the offence, that showed signs of breaking out last year, is still in progress. The off season had it positives also, a strong recruiting campaign saw no less than eleven rookies dress for play on Sunday, with many topping the depth chart on offence and defence.
Winning the toss, UCD deferred the option to the second half and the Bulldogs elected to receive the opening kick off. Experienced Referee Michael Smith took charge of proceedings and following the kick off, the new look Bulldogs Offence took the field. Early signs weren’t good for the Bulldogs as the first snap was high and the second sailed over QB Eddie McMahon’s head. Pursued by both sides a treacherous bounce saw it arrive in the hands of the onrushing UCD defensive line. After only the second play from scrimmage UCD were within five yards of the Bulldogs goal line.
Newly installed Defensive Co-Ordinator Nickey Kennedy looked to his Defence to get the Bulldogs potentially disastrous start. Coach Kennedy’s first call was to unleash his Defensive End duo of Steve ‘Fink’ Power and Steve Connor. The two combined on the ensuing series for a tackle for a loss on the UCD running back, effecting two throws from UCD QB Dave Murphy which both landed in the dust and finally blocking UCD field goal attempt. On ominous start from the reunited pair following Powers return and move from Outside Backer to Defensive End.
It would not be the last hole the Bulldogs Defence needed to dig their team out of on the day. Again Bulldogs Offensive drives stalled and resulted in the Defence seeing the majority of the action in the 1st Quarter. QB Dave Murphy will count himself unlucky not to have linked up with at least one of his wide receivers in the End-Zone on the following two series as one pass fell perilously between the hands of the first open receiver and the second sailing over the the fingertips of towering receiver Paul Geraghty.
As time wore on in the 2nd Quarter, the Bulldogs Defenders imposed their will on the zone running UCD offence and Coach Cunningham directed his men to the air. Some excellent coverage by the Bulldogs latest brothers, rookies Kevin & Stephen Kinsella, saw Murphy deliver to the deep right side once again seeking Geraghty but Bulldogs Safety Francis Horan came under the route intercepting the pass and setting the Bulldogs up with good field position inside the UCD 40 yard line. The Bulldogs Offence reacted positively and after a series of runs by Pete McMahon found themselves threatening. Unfortunately indiscipline set in, a false start and an illegal formation penalty pushed the Bulldogs back out of the red-zone and towards midfield.
UCD’s impressive defence reacted to this pressure and denied the Bulldogs any further advance. Special Teams MVP in 2013, Punter John Brennan, pinned them deep inside their own ten with an expertly placed kick and the Bulldogs defence could smell blood in the water, as they took to the field as the 2nd quarter wound down. The addition of the Brothers Kinsella to the Bulldogs defence has been apparent to those in the know during the off season and on a windy but warm Sunday in Navan they made their presence felt as UCD tried escape the shadow of their own End-Zone. Combining for tackles on both 1st and 2nd down to pin UCD deep against the goal line, they demonstrated why they have become instant starters on an already impressive Bulldogs defence. 3rd and long to go Dave Murphy facing pressure up the middle from Bulldogs tackles, Shayne Kavanagh and Thomas O’Regan, rolled to his left. There he was met by Defensive End Steve Connor, he faltered and stalled. Steve ‘Fink’ Power, back with Bulldogs after missing the final four games in 2013, caught the scrambling QB bringing him down for the safety, in what would prove to be the decisive score of the day.
At half time the Bulldogs lead was 2-0. The second half saw the Bulldogs Offence begin to get some joy as the early holes on the line were patched and the penalties declined. A drive deep into UCD territory gave the defence a much needed break. With the Bulldogs offence threatening on the edge of the red-zone, QB Eddie McMahon went to rookie Receiver Darryl Ratty deep on the left side. Ratty went up to reel in what would be a certain touchdown only to be thwarted by excellent defensive back play as the UCD man undercut the Bulldogs Rookie securing the interception and landing in his own End-Zone. Ratty would end the day with 3 receptions and 21 yards on an impressive debut. The Bulldogs Defensive effort pushed UCD back once again. With their own goal posts looming and in a situation that felt all too familiar, QB Dave Murphy pulled a Tom Brady and punted on 3rd down alleviating the intense pressure and not presenting any opportunity for a second safety. The 3rd quarter wound down with similar efforts from both Defences stymying their opposing Offences.
In 2013 the 6 of the 8 Bulldogs games were decided by one score or less so a tight margin facing into the fourth quarter was nothing new to the Bulldogs and faith in themselves is never higher than when holding onto a lead. The UCD run game sprung to life, carving out hard yards between the tackles and they immediately threatened the Bulldogs End-Zone. Murphy sent a probing pass deep on the right side on 3rd down and it found only dust. A heavily repaired field after a tough winter, literally needed the dust to settle before the yellow flag could be seen sitting on the ground in the area of pass interference. The penalty would have put UCD on the Bulldogs four yard line with time expiring. Experienced Referee Michael Smith consulted with his Line Judge whose flag lay in the dust and joined by the back judge they held conference on the Bulldogs five yard line. For an eternity both teams watched and waited for Smith in his pristine white hat to emerge from the Conference. Finally the conference ended and the Referee, slowly and deliberately, picked up the flag, waved off the penalty and signalled 4th down. Ecstasy on the Bulldogs sideline, agony for UCD. The 4th down attempt would prove unsuccessful.
Eddie McMahon, now the Bulldogs Offensive Co-Ordinator, put his offence to the task of eroding the clock to secure the win. After a weaving run by McMahon and another excellent punt to the corner by John Brennan. UCD took to the field with only 1.17 remaining to them to save their perfect start. Again UCD hammered the ball and up field quickly putting themselves within range of the End-Zone. Time being a major factor and not being able to afford anymore rush attempts Dave Murphy went deep down the left side and found the waiting hands of Bulldogs Safety Francis Horan for his second Interception of the day and the game ending play. With no time outs left to them and only 49 seconds remaining, McMahon kneeled out the game and secured the Bulldogs first win of the season, their first ever on an opening day.
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