After a less than impressive start to the Trojans 3rd season in the IAFL, they faced the prospect of a visit from the Cork Admirals – one of the consistently in-form teams in the past few seasons.
The Trojans were bolstered by the inclusion of Alex Newton, Erin Wagner and Rob Lyttle – 3 players capable of making a difference to any side, and 3 players that were missing from the opening day defeat in Limerick.
The game didn’t start well, however, as the Admirals intercepted a pass in the first series and ran it straight back for 6 points. The 1-point conversion was blocked by the Trojans special teams unit. There was to be no further scoring until midway through the second quarter. The Trojans offense drove downfield through the powerful running of Erin Wagner and after being subbed out for Alex Newton, the replacement half-back made a mazy run through the entire Admirals defence to tack on 6 points. Jay MacKenzie powered through the line for an extra 2 points.
The Admirals made a little progress on the ground through Keith O’Callaghan, a nippy running back with lightning change-of-direction. Christophe Perrett and Mike Calo made some big smothering stops on the line-of-scrimmage for the Trojans and then Cork went to the air. A long pass downfield looked destined for a touchdown, but Warren Thompson somehow made up the ground and a spectacular diving tip away from the receiver stopped a certain score.
When the Trojans took over possession, the aerial game was halted on a couple more interceptions by the admirals who played good, deep coverage. Instead, it was the Trojans running game that made the most impact, with Wagner, Newton and full-back Jay MacKenzie chalking up valuable yards. MacKenzie punched in another score, but couldn’t convert the 2-point attempt that followed.
The Admirals chipped away at Trojans field position almost immediately as time was winding down and an impressive run from the pocket by the quarterback allowed him time to find an open receiver who took the pass, spun a defender and barrelled into the endzone to set up a tense final few minutes.
The Trojans kept it on the ground to use the clock and runs from Wagner, MacKenzie, Newton and scrambles from QB Chris McKeown kept the first downs coming. But once again, it was Erin Wagner, the 6′3″ power-runner that burst through the Admirals defences and took it almost 50 yards for an important touchdown with only a couple of minutes left to play. The 2-point conversion was completed on a pass to TJ Reynolds.
The Admirals next drive took them into Trojans territory but Warren Thompson again stepped into the passing lane and held onto the ball for a game-winning interception. The Trojans had enough time to make one first down and then wind the clock down.
The journey clearly had taken a little out of the Admirals, who by all accounts are a very difficult team to play.
The Trojans got their first win of the season with 22 – 12 win.
Next up for the Trojans are DCU Saints in Dublin on April 26th.
