Game Report by the Cork Admirals:
The Cork Admirals travelled to Belfield to take on UCD in the visitors opening game of the 2010 season. The Admirals played well early on in the game. Rookie receiver Shane Knowles took the opening kickoff and afforded the offense good field position with a return to midfield. On the first snap of the game QB John Kenny connected with Dave Barry for a 50 yard catch and run score. QB Dom McHale again found Barry for the conversion. On the ensuing UCD possession a deep pass to the right sideline was intercepted by rookie Kit OKeefe, who followed blocks by Peter Lucey for a defensive score.
Later in the quarter another O’Keefe interception set up the Admirals offense again. Alain Pezeron made good yardage on the ground to put the visitors in scoring range. An interception stopped the Admirals attack however.
In the second quarter a good drive featuring a balanced attack by the Cork side moved the ball to the UCD ten yard line. QB John Kenny took the ball up the middle for the score.
UCD made some good gains through the air as the half progressed but strong defensive play from Peter Glavin, Harris Monaghan and rookie Niall O’Brien, who intercepted a pass to end the UCD attack and keep them at bay.
QB Dom McHale converted that turnover into points by connecting with Eric Tcasik for a score in the corner of the Endzone. Dave Barry converted for 2 points. At halftime the score was 28-0.
In the third quarter UCD came out with a renewed vigour and became more effective on offense with RB Larry Doyle (#25) and QB Colin O’Meara (#7) picking up yardage. Following another turnover UCD set up near the Admirals goal line. The Cork defense put in an excellent goal line stand to stop the home side two yards shy of the end-zone. The next Admirals drive moved the ball from their own goal area to UCD territory before penalties killed the drive and the Admirals had to punt. Again UCD performed better on offense gaining a first down before punting.
Following a mishandled snap QB John Kenny fell on the ball in the Cork end-zone to give UCD a safety for their first score of the season.
In the fourth quarter Alain Pezeron and Shane Mulcahy each had several tough carries to gain rushing first downs for the Admirals before McHale found Dave Barry for the final score of the day.
UCD, eager to score in the games final minutes, used the pass game to move into Admirals territory. Unlucky not to score the clock expired as UCD reached the Admirals red-zone.
Both teams next meet each other on April 18th in the return fixture in Cork .