For the first time in Irish American football history, the Shamrock Bowl will have its own programme broadcast on National and International television.  Sports fans in Ireland and abroad will be able to watch the Dublin Rebels and the UL Vikings in Shamrock Bowl XXIV, played at Tallght Stadium on Saturday 7th August.

A one hour long extended highlights programme, commissioned by the IAFL, will be shown on both Setanta Ireland and Setanta 1 on several occasions over the next couple of weeks.  Setanta Ireland is Ireland’s premier sports channel and is received in most households in Ireland. Setanta 1 is a satellite/subscription service available to an International audience.

Setanta has confirmed that the game will be broadcast at the following times/dates:

Setanta Ireland:

Sunday 22nd August 1:30-2:30pm

Monday 23rd August 4:30-5:30pm

Setanta 1:

Friday 20th August 16:30-17:30pm

Sunday 22nd August 18:00-19:00pm

Monday 23rd August 22:30-23:30pm

Further broadcast dates will be added over the next few days.

As the IAFL owns the rights to the programme, it will be offered to other TV stations for broadcast over the coming weeks – check your local listings for details.

Shamrock Bowl XXIV

Saturday 7th August, Tallaght Stadium.

The Dublin Rebels defeated the University of Limerick Vikings 15-0 in Shamrock Bowl XXIV, played in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday 7^th August. The Rebels defense dominated the game intercepting the Vikings four times in the second half. The game was played on front of a Shamrock Bowl record crowd of 1,500 which included Robert Huber, President of the European Federation and Mayor Eamonn Maloney. Rebels defensive back Brian Carter was named the games Most Valuable Player.

The Rebels first score came early in the first quarter. After blocking a Vikings punt, they got the ball on the Vikings 44 yard line. After two runs by Aaron Smith, Rebels quarterback Andrew Dennehy found receive Barry Flinn in the endzone for a 32 yard touchdown pass to give the Rebels a 6-0 lead. The Vikings causes a turnover of their own later in the quarter, when Craig Brouder recovered a Rebels fumble. However the Vikings failed to capitalised and the Rebels regained possession.

 

Early in the second quarter, the Rebels extended their lead to 9-0 with a 26 yard field goal by Ian McDonald. Both teams ran the ball well for the remainder of the half with Adrian Garvey and James Twoomey picking up yardage for the Vikings and the tandem of Smith and Sam Hodgins picking up yardage for the Rebels. However, both secondaries played well, preventing either team from getting into the endzone.

Both teams exchanged punts in the third quarter as the defenses continued to dominate. The defensive domination was more due to skilful pass defense and some big hits from the front seven of both teams rather than offensive miscues. Early in the fourth quarter, Ross McCooey of the Rebels intercepted the Vikings at midfield – his second of the game – however the Rebels failed to capitalise, missing a 34 yard field goal. On their next drive, Vikings quarterback Liam Ryan had to leave the game and was replaced by Marc Ashworth. From that point forward, the Rebels defense began to dominate. Game MVP Brian Carter made an interception, however, Brendan McCarthy of the Vikings stopped the Rebels ensuing drive with an interception. The Rebels sealed the win, when following an Andy Flynn interception, running back Sam Hodgins scored a touchdown with a 19 yard sweep left play after having already run for two first downs to get into scoring range.

 

The Dublin Rebels win means that they are the first team to win six Shamrock Bowls. Rebels GM  Fergal O’Hanlon said that he is delighted with his teams victory which comes on the back of a perfect regular season record. After presenting the Shamrock Bowl trophy, IAFA President, Greg Loughran commended both teams for putting on a hard hitting, yet very entertaining game of football.

 

 Click here to view play by play blog by Action81: http://action81.com/blog/?p=2499

Extended highlights of the game will be broadcast on Setanta Sports during the coming week – please check your TV listings for details.

Photos by Ariane Boudias

The Dublin Rebels and UL Vikings have announced their starting line-ups for Shamrock Bowl XXIV as follows:

Rebels

Offense

QB       #16      Andy Dennehy

TB       #13      Aaron Smith

FB       #18      Paul Grogan

WR      #5        Shahin Nikroo

WR      #81      Barry Flynn

TE        #94      Paul Smyth

RT       #64      Nicky Kenny

RG       #79      Darren Colgan

C         #68      Johnathan Kelly

LG       #51      Ross McCooey

LT        #78      Steve Wilson

 Defense

 DE       #10      Henry Wasserman

DT       #45      Andrew Flynn

DT       #66      Fergal O’Hanlon

DE       #55      Steve Walsh

OLB    #21      Kevin Finnegan

MLB    #51      Ross McCooey

OLB    #21      Sean Shanahan

CB       #24      Colin Keegan

CB       #22      Steve Archibald

SS        #12      Brian Carter

FS        #80      Marcus Naylor

Vikings

Offense:

 QB       #17      Liam Ryan

RB       #36      Adrian Garvey

FB       #26      James Twomey

WR      #87      Brendan McCarthy

WR      #9        Brendain Curtin

TE        #13      Marc Ashworth

RT       #64      John Cannon

RG       #69      David Wallek

C         #62      Shane Gleeson

LG       #56      Mark Thompson

LT        #78      Sean Walsh

 Defense:

 DE       #98      Dermot Moriarty

DT       #8        Glen Carr

DT       #67      Kieran Coen

DE       #11      James Lordan

OLB    #87      Brendan McCarthy

MLB    #55      Marc Gaffney

OLB    #54      Alan Kiely

CB       #82      Niall Spillane

CB       #23      Craig Brouder

FS        #43      Michael Guinane

SS        #25      Sean Sheehy

Shamrock Bowl XXIV – Saturday 7th August, 2pm, Tallaght Stadium

Dublin Rebels v University of Limerick Vikings.

Shamrock Bowl XXIV features the two clubs who have been the standout programmes in Ireland over the past decade. Both teams have extensive experience of playing in championship games and have made their mark in Europe. There is an intense rivalry between both teams, fueled by regular meetings in recent Shamrock Bowls. Both teams also have a claim on being the best team in Ireland and Shamrock Bowl XXIV will settle this matter.

 The Dublin Rebels have been unbeaten during the regular season and play-offs, winning an impressive 9 straight games. During this time they defeated the Vikings in Limerick. Hence their claim to be Ireland’s best team. The margin of their victories has been extremely impressive and they ended the regular season with the number one ranked offence and defence.

 However, the UL Vikings have had the distraction of European competition in 2010 to blame for dropping some points during the regular season. They became the first Irish team ever to win a European title when the won the EFAF Atlantic Cup in June. Consequently, they have been ranked in the top 20 teams in Europe – the first Irish team to achieve such a ranking for over 20 years. 

Dublin Rebels

 Since the reformation of the IAFL in 2001 the Rebels have finished with the best regular season record seven times and won five Shamrock Bowls. The Rebels have competed in eight of the past ten Shamrock Bowls, narrowly losing to UL in 2008 and 2009. The Dublin Rebels represented Ireland in the EFAF Atlantic Cup in 2009, where they stamped a major mark on European American Football and are also the only team ever to have won the League title and Shamrock Bowl with a perfect season (10-0, in 2006). They are also the only team to win four Shamrock Bowls in a row – a record that UL will try to equal in today’s game.

Balance is the cornerstone of the Rebels success. On offense, they combine finesse with physicality, utilising the speed and power of their offensive weapons and operating efficient running and passing games. Running backs Aaron Smith and Sam Hodgins are both tenacious runners who threaten to score on every play. Behind the crushing blocks of the Rebels‟ Offensive Line, led by Left Tackle Steve Wilson, both backs have had great seasons. Quarterback Andy Dennehy is known for his tactical mind, plus his ability to connect with favourite receiver Barry Flinn. At 6′ 5”, with great speed and sure hands, Flinn is the prototypical Wide Receiver – UL must figure out how to stop him.

On defense, the Rebels also have a heady mix of power and speed. The uber-aggressive quartet of defensive linemen Henry Wasserman, Fergal O’Hanlon, Andrew Flynn and Steve Walsh takes on the battle in the trenches. Behind this maelstrom, the speed of players like LB Kevin Finnegan and CB Colin Keegan has given the Rebels the balance they needed to become 2010’s top defense. This year has been the Rebels best ever year statistically, with both the offense and defense topping the league and achieving the best total scoring in Rebels history.

 University of Limerick Vikings

 The UL Vikings are the current EFAF Atlantic Cup Champions and defending Shamrock Bowl Champions. They’ve won each of the last three Shamrock Bowl, two of those games against the Rebels. The Vikings play a smash-mouth style of football with an “establish the run” philosophy on offense. With their devastating backfield partnership the stars are Adrian Garvey and James Twomey. Both players are big, strong, mobile backs and will be difficult to stop behind the strong Vikings offensive line. Marc Ashworth and Brendáin Curtin are the main threats in a pass game that benefits from space due to the strong running game.

 The Vikings have built their previous three Championship teams on strong defense and this year is no different. There has been a lot of change from last year‟s Championship team but the team is unarguably a stronger unit. The defensive line is one of the team’s greatest assets with plenty of pressure coming off the edges and inside runs being eaten up. The linebackers are led by Brendan McCarthy and are a mobile and hard hitting bunch. Sean Sheehy, with an amazing rookie season, is the standout in a strong secondary that has stifled most teams it has faced this year.

 UL Vikings Head Coach and “IAFL Coach of the Year „08” Ciaran O‟Sullivan is a hugely experienced operator in the IAFL. He has playing experience with a number of clubs and previously coached with the Cork Admirals. At the start of the ‟09 season, which was just his second year with the club, he was promoted to Head Coach and lived up to all expectations winning the 2009 Shamrock Bowl. Ciaran is also defensive coordinator and has developed one of the best defences ever to play the game in Ireland.

 

Shamrock Bowl XXIV – Spectators Information – 7th August 2010, 2pm.

 

Location

Tallaght Stadium is located on Whitestown Way, which is close to the Square shopping centre and the Tallaght Luas stop.

Public Transport

The Tallaght Luas line goes through Dublin city centre and serves Connolly and Heuston train stations and Busaras. For those travelling by public transport, it is probably the best option. See the following for a map and details of bus routes:

http://www.tallaghtstadium.ie/location

Parking

Parking is only provided for VIP ticket holders, players/coaches and people working in the stadium on game day. There is extensive parking available at the Square Shopping Centre.

Tickets
This is an all ticket event. Patrons are advised to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are available from any Ticketmaster outlet nationwide until 11am on Saturday 7th August – Adults €6, Children €4, Family of 4 €15.

There will be a limited number of tickets available at a ticket booth in the stadium car park on game day.

Online ticket purchases cannot be made from Tuesday 3rd August onwards as it is not possible to guarantee tickets will be received within the timeframe available, so tickets should be purchased from your local Ticketmaster outlet.

Access to Stadium/Seating Plan:

Most ticket holders will enter the stadium via the turnstiles on the south of the stadium i.e. those adjacent to the car park.

VIP ticket holders will enter the stadium via the Stadium Reception.

All ticket holders will be seated in the West Stand. VIP seating is allocated. All other seating is unallocated.

Disabled Access

http://www.tallaghtstadium.ie/stadium-information/disabled-access

Programme of Events

 

12:45pm           VIP area opens.

1pm                     Turnstiles open.

1:30pm             Tallaght Youth Band

2pm                    Main Event – coin toss and kick-off.

Halftime            Tallaght Youth Band.

Post Match       Trophy Presentation

Stadium Rules

 http://www.tallaghtstadium.ie/stadium-information/ground-rules-regulations