Trim Bulldogs' running back Peter McMahon races for out of bounds during his side's narrow loss to Drogheda Lightning.

Trim Bulldogs long journey to Shortts S & R Club in Belfast proved to be a fruitless one as they were edged out by a more experienced Belfast Trojans side in the DV8 Irish American Football League (IAFL) on Sunday.

The Trojans remain undefeated this season in the IAFL Northern Conference, so their DV8 team was always going to present a major challenge to the Bulldogs. who were without five regular starters.

The Bulldogs made some strong yards in the first quarter however the Trojans well organised defense stopped them just short of the end zone on two separate occasions. It was the Trojans who got off the mark first before the end of the first quarter when their running back slipped through from about 10 yards out.

The Bulldogs looked sure to score when quarterback Eddie McMahon kept the ball himself and ran for home from about 15 yards only to slip at the last moment, leaving the Bulldogs two yards short. McMahon made amends moments later when he again fooled the Trojan's defence with a fake hand off only to keep the ball himself and sneak into the corner.

The Trojans immediately responded with another touchdown of their own. Pete McMahon, the Bulldogs only remaining running back after a rib injury ruled out Cliff Rayfus, made some strong runs and totalled 52 rushing yards before picking up an injury before half-time.

The Trojans scored for the third time the half way mark to see them lead by 21-6 at half-time.

The Bulldogs had to reshuffle the defence in the second-half as a result of injuries to several players, with the offensive line having to play both sides of the ball for the majority of the remainder. The added muscle seemed to do the trick with the Bulldogs getting off the mark first in the second-half.

Again it was QB Eddie McMahon who ran in to score and then added the extra point himself.

The defence seemed to be making good progress in slowing the Trojans attack with Luke McCabe and Stephen Power making five big tackles each. However, Trim could only hold them for so long and the Trojans went on to score once either side of the break in quarters.

The Bulldogs remained positive and applied great pressure on the Trojans throughout the fourth quarter and were rewarded when their Eddie McMahon found wide receiver Aidan McCluskey with two pinpoint long passes, the second of which resulted in a touchdown.

The Bulldogs are holding a recruitment evening in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on Wednesday 16th May, 7.0. If you are interested in joining the Bulldogs or would just like to find out more then come along on the evening or alternatively email bulldogsteammanager@gmail.com

Trim Bulldogs: QB - Eddie McMahon (152 passing yards, 91 rushing yards, 2TDs); RB - Pete McMahon (54 rushing yards), WRs - Steve McDonnell (27 receiving yards, 3 tackles), Aidan McCluskey (79 receiving yards, 1TD); TE - Steve Daly (10 rushing yards, 46 receiving yards); C - Marius Nenorta (1 sack); Gs - Tomas Ratkevicious, Darren Preece; T - Dave Rowan; Defence: DL -Ciaran Tormey, Keith Horan; LBs - Stephen Power (5 tackles, 1 sack, 9 rushing yards), Joe Rayfus (4 tackles), Linus Racius; CB- Luke McCabe (5.5 tackles), Thomas Tuite (1 tackle); S - Conor Egan (4 tackles).

The previous week Trim Bulldogs lost out to Drogheda Lightning (26-32) in the opening game of the season.