Scoring
1st Half
0-6 Vikings: Adrian Garvey, run. PAT no good.
6-6 Admirals: Eric Tcasik, reception from Dom McHale.
6-12 Vikings: Adrian Garvey, run. 2PAT no good.
Q3
12-12 Admirals: Shane Mulcahy, 1 yard reception from Dom McHale.
Game Report
Game Report by the Cork Admirals:
Conditions on Sunday 25th started poorly but improved quickly as kickoff approached. By 2pm any rain had dried and the pitch surface was ideal for the exciting divisional matchup between visitors Cork Admirals and hosts UL Vikings.
The Admirals kicked to UL to start the game and strong defense and excellent pursuit from the visitors prevented the Vikings from moving the chains. On the series following the punt Cork handed the ball back to UL with a third down interception after a great diving catch by #24. Two plays later Adrian Garvey converted the turnover to points with a run to the right corner of the endzone. Roger Mc Dongagh broke through the UL line to stop the point-after conversion leaving the score at 6-0 to the hosts.
Later in the quarter QB John Kenny directed an effective drive for the Admirals featuring the passing attack. Stephen Forde made an excellent diving grab converting a third down play. QB Dom McHale finished the drive with a scoring catch-and-run pass to Eric Tcasik to make the game six a piece.
Following another Admirals interception The UL Vikings drove the ball into scoring range, following a jump-ball catch by Brendan McCarthy. Two plays later Adrian garvey punched in the score to re-take the lead. This time the Vikings went for the 2-point try but the Admirals linebacker pursuit cut off any outside running lanes before the Vikings reached to end-zone.
The Vikings again took over after an interception and approached scoring range. An interception by Nick McSweeney, who had two picks in the game, stopped the drive and prevented the Vikings from extending their halftime lead.
The Admirals received the ball to start the second half. After a few penalties had stalled the offensive momentum McHale connected with Dave Barry on a sideline pass, placing the ball at the one yard line. On the next play McHale found Shane Mulcahy who made an impressive grab in the corner of the endzone. The game was tied at 12-12.
Both defenses each did well on the next two possesions. The Admirals first drive of the fourth quarter began deep in their own territory. The drive progressed well with Martin Mulrey and Kenny each having third down conversion runs. A balanced attack also featured passing gains to Mulrey, Jason Dowling. Around midfield the Admirals faced a fourth down conversion which McHale converted to Barry to maintain possesion. A second fourth down conversion was successful when Mulrey made the required short yardage. From the Vikings ten-yard line the Admirals attempted to pass, going for the win but #55 stepped in front of the Admirals receiver to prevent the go-ahead score.
With the Vikings attempting to drive and take the lead late in the game Liam Ryan connected with his receiver to move the ball near to midfield. A few plays later Admirals rookie lineman Brendan Kelleher had another Admirals interception when he batted down a swing pass into his hands. The Admirals moved into Vikings territory with a great catch by Shane Mulcahy while being hit near the sidelines.
Another interception on third down however doomed the Admirals hopes of the win. With less than a minute to play the Vikings tried to move into field goal range. The Admirals defense stood firm however and prevented the Vikings from advancing. A penalty on third down for an out-of-bounds hit gave the Vikings the yards they were looking for for a long-field goal attempt. The ensuing field goal fell short however leaving the game to end in a tie.
The teams meet for the return fixture in Cork in mid-June.