back champions. 2014 season The departure of Head Coach Drew Mikhael coupled with an inevitable sense of complacency within the Belfast Trojans saw them struggle to hit the high gears in the early stages of the season. Despite a resounding victory over the Craigavon Cowboys the signs were there that things were not running as smoothly. The 26-game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end when Trinity College travelled to Belfast and inspired by their talismanic running back Rob McDowell put the Trojans to the sword in an 18–0 defeat. The Trojans did not hang their heads for long however, the decision was made to install Mark McGrath, an inspirational leader within the Trojans locker room, as interim head coach. The Trojans bounced back and went on to win their remaining three league matches, the standout being the 50–0 demolition of the Carrickfergus Knights at the 4th of July Friday Night Lights game. Shamrock Bowl Playoffs For the second consecutive year the Trojans would travel to Gardai RFC in Dublin to face the UL Vikings. In a typically dogged affair the Trojans struggled to establish their offensive play and were held in the game by the defence. Eventually the Trojans offence rallied and the Trojans knocked the Vikings out at the playoff stage once again to reach their third Shamrock Bowl in three years. Shamrock Bowl XXVIII The Trojans opposition in the Shamrock Bowl would be Trinity College Dublin the only team to have beaten them in the previous three years. The Trojans were classed as underdogs for the first time since 2012 due to Trinity's victory over the champions earlier in the season. Again it was a day for the Trojan defence to prove themselves to be the most dominant unit in Irish American Football as both offences failed to cope with the intense rain that forced a cessation of the game for thirty minutes during the first half. In keeping with the defensive battle that was being waged it was Trojan linebacker Connor Whitla who scored the only touchdown of the game picking off Dan Finnamore and running it in from 20 yards. The Trojans had completed the "Threepeat" and could now take their place at the top table of Irish American Football. EFAF Atlantic Cup 2014 Due to concerns about the ability of the club the Belfast Trojans chose not to compete in the 2014 Atlantic Cup.