Shamrock Bowl Conference
Belfast Trojans 0 – 18 Trinity College Dublin
Wow.
Lots will be made around the League about the end of the Trojans’ 26-game unbeaten streak and yes, it’s a big deal, particularly that it was ended in Belfast. But let’s not forget, this Trinity side has become a powerhouse of its own, and they were fully deserving of the win. For now it’s TCD that stays undefeated in the League.
A vintage defensive performance by the away team saw Dylan Campbell and George Walsh, both playing their first games for the club, cause chaos from the line, whilst Conor Foley put in a stellar shift at corner back on his final game for the team.
However it would be League-leading rushing scorer, Rob McDowell who would steal the show with three breakaway scores, utilising his speed to find the end zone to increase his lead in the scoring charts and to ensure his team stayed without a loss.
The Trojans are not the type of team to go and sulk about this loss. They will take it on the chin, accept that they were beaten by the better side on the day and come back stronger and better because of it. Expect a backlash, and expect them still to go far in the playoffs. Every team has to suffer loss, it’s the way they bounce back that tells you how strong they are, and this Belfast side has an excellent attitude.
But what about Trinity? Can they go all the way? With exams out of the way and the squad still looking strong, of course they can, if they manage to keep everybody fit and playing beyond the end of the university term.
UL Vikings 37 – 0 Dublin Dragons
The UL Vikings continue their fine form with another shutout and a decent amount of points put on the board, but it could have been more had it not been for the amount of penalties the team gave up. Again the home side proved their defensive capabilities, keeping the Dragons without a first down until deep into the game, and repeatedly turning the ball over, with four interceptions on the day. Stand out performances from Blake Farber, Alex Indjeyan and Alvaro Carvajal Martinez (who took a pick to the house) ensured the Vikings held the Dragons pointless.
On offence penalties kept UL pegged back, in one instance bringing up a 1st and 47, but the Vikings continued to roll, with quarterback Marc Ashworth hitting Martinez for a 50-yard gain. The quarterback then finished the drive himself, with a 6-yard rush for a touchdown.
Ashworth, who had another fine game for the team, then found receiver Gavan Duffy for a 40-yard score before utility man Adrian Garvey found rookie tight end Jake Kelly for the successful 2-pt.
Veteran Vikes player Glen Carr then passed to Ashworth for the final touchdown of the day, the 30 yard completion catching the Dragons off guard.
A Dublin mistake led to them conceding a safety, whilst Garvey’s three successful PATs rounded off the scoring and increased the player’s lead at the top of the SBC Kicking Charts.
This UL Vikings team is flying somewhat under the radar due to the form of Trinity in the division. When the two sides met at the beginning of the year, the Vikes had a number of untested rookies, whilst the team was unlucky to lose in the dying seconds against the Dublin Rebels. The form they have been in since could spell that the side is ready for another excursion deep into the playoffs, and maybe even a Bowl appearance.
IAFL-1
Cork Admirals 8 – 6 UCD
Talk about a turnaround. When the Admirals started the year with a 53-0 loss to UCD, many feared the worst in the League. Will they be able to complete the season?
So when they beat Meath soundly, and followed it up with a win against Drogheda, people began to take note. They had a strong defence and the offence has serious talent, but surely a 53 point turnaround would be too much to ask in just a few weeks?
Granted UCD were coming in to the game weaker, missing 6 starters on defence and 3 offensive linemen, but they managed to get on the board first, with quarterback Dave Murphy running in for the score to add to his impressive tally this year.
But Cork managed to turn it around, with quarterback Stephen Hayes hitting receiver John Madden for the score, continuing their pass-heavy offence, before Hayes then found Josh Neil for the 2-pt.
The Admirals showed their prowess on defence too, with four picks in total. Ben Jenkins took his picks to 4 for the season, adding another 2 against UCD, whilst Brian Leonard and John Madden also got one each.