Kevin Hogan | Contributing Writer
After winning the Shamrock Bowl Conference (SBC) season opener with a 34-9 victory over the University of Limerick Vikings, Trinity were intent on continuing as they started in their second game of the season. The reshuffling of the IAFL conferences meant that Trinity would face the West Dublin Rhinos for the first time since their 2012 season, a game in which DUAFC triumphed. Both teams fought consistently for four quarters, although Trinity ultimately prevailed in a 27 – 0 victory.
Quarterback Dan Finnamore, playing in his first season at the top level in Ireland, has now undoubtedly settled into the SBC and the Trinity outfit. He found a target in the swift-footed wide receiver, David Lunn, who caught a pass in the first quarter for a touchdown. Running back Rob McDowell, true to form, also punched in two impressive rushing touchdowns. McDowell has left his mark on the IAFL in the past number of years, and a game rarely passes without him making an impact on the scoreboard. One of the pacey player’s touchdowns was assisted by a devastating block from tight-end, and former QB, Alex Gurnee, flattening two of the Rhinos defenders.
Trinity’s disciplined and tight defence, which has been a hallmark of their success in recent years, kept pressure on the Rhinos throughout, allowing them only one first down during the entire course of the game. Not to be out-done on the scoring front either, they also recovered a fumble which was returned for a touchdown by Alex Gurnee, playing in something of a utility role on defence, in the second quarter. Safety Colm Ryan also made a critical interception and return during the fourth quarter, which gave Trinity’s offense key field position to run in McDowell’s second touchdown of the game, and his fourth of the season.
Despite what the scoreboard would suggest, and the impressive Trinity play, the game was tightly contested. The Rhinos’ defence was characteristically tough and challenging, keeping the pressure on the offense throughout, recording a sack on Finnamore and forcing him to scramble on one occasion for yardage. Trinity only managed to execute one extra point conversion and were forced into punting on fourth down multiple times. The Rhinos’ offence were stymied however, and the ultimately failed to put points on the board. An error on their goal line, and some reactive DUAFC defending, resulted in a safety being scored for Trinity, adding another two points to the collegiate effort.
The only real blight on the DUAFC performance was the occurrence of technical fouls. Throughout the game Trinity were plagued by penalties, with two touchdowns being disallowed due to minor infractions, one of which was an ineligible jersey number on a lineman, and three substantial drives downfield also being negated due to penalty calls. Trinity maintained composure and did not become unnerved however, performing right up to the final quarter. With less than two minutes on the clock and the scoreboard at 27 – 0, Finnamore took a knee and sealed the victory for TCD.
This leaves Trinity with a perfect 2 – 0 record beginning the season, but there is still a difficult road ahead, with upcoming games against the Carrickfergus Knights and the Belfast Trojans. The Trojans were the winners of the Shamrock Bowl in 2012 and 2013. While results against the Knights have been positive and consistently improving, the Trojans squad of the last two seasons are a different prospect for DUAFC. Trinity last faced the Trojans in the final of the Atlantic Cup in June 2013, which resulted in a 23 – 0 loss.
Trinity’s next game is against the Carrickfergus Knights. It will be their third consecutive home game, at the Santry Sports Grounds, and is followed by a tough away trip to Craigavon, before the exam break. If DUAFC can take two wins from these two encounters, they have every chance of repeating their recent achievements, in terms of reaching the playoffs.
