Report by the University of Limerick Vikings:
The UL Vikings kicked off their defence of the Shamrock Bowl championship in fine style in ALSAA at the weekend with a 56-0 victory over the UCD Sentinels. The Sentinels are a new team to the 11s league but can draw on good experience from the development league of the IAFA. The game was played in perfect conditions and in a friendly spirit and both colleges fielded very young and athletic squads.
UL won the toss and elected to receive. The UCD kick coverage unit did well and held UL inside their 15 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage however UL’s strong running game took up where it left off last year and RB Colm Cronin, brother of Ireland’s newest international rugby cap Sean Cronin, took the ball off tackle and went the distance from over 80 yards out. He was sprung by some strong blocks by Chris Macheichok, James Twomey and Brendan McCarthy. The Vikings missed the extra point attempt but things looked bleak immediately for UCD.
To credit the Sentinels they displayed considerable nerve, talent and physical fortitude in a gutsy display. Once they had settled into the rhythm of the 11s game they began to make plays on the Vikings with Larry Doyle at running back picking up hard yardage and QBs Colin O’Meara and David Farrell standing tall in the pocket and picking out recievers despite the intense pressure put on them by the Vikes’ front 7. The UCD recievers proved themselves to be a tough bunch, not least Paddy Duffy. He was the smallest man on the pitch and he made a number of catches across the middle where he got rocked by Jake Mulhern, Brendan McCarthy and Glen Carr amongst others. He took them all, made the catch, bounced back up and trotted to the huddle. On one drive in particular they moved the ball from their own 15 yard line to the Vikings 2 yard line only to come up short with a huge goal line stand from the Vikings.
On Defence the Sentinels struggled to contain the Vikings’ rushing attack. Colm Cronin had a career day of over 200 yards and FB James Twomey punched in two short yardage touchdowns. Cornerback Darragh Mooney had some instinctive plays in the passing game, breaking up a number of passes intended for Vikings recievers. The Vikings passing game did get going and QB Liam Ryan completed two touchdown passes to TE Marc Ashworth and one to WR Alan Walsh. Late in the game the Sentinel defense began to find their stride and forced the Vikings to punt on two drives. The Vikings defense was back to its speedy, swarming ways. DE Dermot Moriarty recieved MVP of the game for his 12 solo tackles including 1 sack. Jake Mulhern and Mark Gaffney were solid inside at MLB and in the secondary Alan Walsh had a standout game despite dropping two sure picks.
All in all it was an entertaining game that each team will have taken lessons from. Both sides showed a little early-season rust with a couple of unnecessary penalties being conceded. The Vikings now go on to face the Dragons at home while UCD face Cork, another divisional rival.
Photos by Paula Telford
“Ul Vikings 56 – 0 UCD”
From Vikings @ UCD, posted by Paula Telford on 3/14/2010 (30 items)
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