Month: April 2011

Rebels @ Knights – Change of venue.

The IAFL and the Carrickfergus Knights would like to inform supporters that there has been a venue change for next Sundays (1st May) fixture between the Knights and Rebels. The game will be played at Ballyclare Rugby Club.

Game Details:

Dublin Rebels @ Carrickfergus Knights

Sunday 1st May, kick-off 2pm.

Venue: Ballyclare Rugby Club.

Cardiac Risk in the Young – Gary McElkerney’s Story

Taken from an article Gary McElkerney wrote for the charity CRY, Cardiac Risk in the Young (www.c-r-y.org.uk)

The Limerick Vikings were always going to be a tough team to play and making the 5 hour coach journey to Limerick University was always going to be a disadvantage.

It was the 25th July 2009. I got off the coach after a 6am start and remember saying “I don’t feel good about this”. At the time I put it down to nerves, playing in the semi-final of the Shamrock Bowl.

It was early in the 3rd Quarter when took a hit that rendered me unconscious. It took the Red Cross 15 minutes to carefully place me on a spinal board and lifted to the ambulance.

However, on the way to the ambulance my team mate Matt Craig (ex paramedic assistant in the States) pointed out that I wasn’t breathing and the paramedic then discovered I had no pulse. The trolley was dropped to the ground immediately and CPR was performed sending emotional shockwaves through both teams.

I came in and out of consciousness and was immediately taken to hospital in Limerick. I was accompanied by my parents and spent the next six days having a series of tests and scans; trying to get back on my feet and suffering from a series of panic attacks. I was then informed I had SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia).

I wasn’t fazed that I had a health problem. I was, however, affected by the sudden limitations.

Everything initially became a struggle – walking long distances, even staying awake for long periods of time; and I suffered breathlessness and pains in my chest. I had gone from being a regular gym enthusiast, fit and healthy, an international athlete for Northern Ireland and for Ireland, University Sports Scholar, starting wide receiver for the Carrickfergus Knights and had played for Team Ireland; to struggling to run the length of myself. Being both stubborn and determined, I decided to get back to being fit while waiting for heart surgery (an ablation). I would get my fitness back up and get back on the pitch. Unfortunately I was cut short, as the League need confirmation that I was fit and healthy enough to play full contact – something that until I had an ablation was not advisable or possible.

I never really thought about being resuscitated or the extremity of the condition. However when it struck down a 16 year old GAA player, I started to get frustrated and depressed. My biggest struggle at the time was my own head. I resented being told I couldn’t do this or I wasn’t fit enough. I turned on team mates, and found myself on the bench for my own safety – but not that I saw it that way. I became angry and constantly frustrated at the ‘concerned’ attitudes of others and the constant waiting for the ablation; all the while counting the young people in Northern Ireland who were losing their lives to Sudden Death Syndrome. Why did I have to live?

This was picked up by my friends and family and I needed focus. My housemate (who lost a friend a few years previous to Wolfe-Parkinson-White) told me to get in touch with CRY and see if I could help raise awareness in Northern Ireland.

The Carrickfergus Knights were starting the 2010 season and decided to wear the CRY logo on our merchandise t-shirts to raise support and awareness around the league as a reminder that even the fittest where vulnerable. I also started talking to people in CRY and reading accounts on the website and speaking to my local GP.

On the 9th July 2010 I spent 4 hours in surgery. Everything went according to plan and I started rebuilding my fitness.

Again, my issue was my head running over the procedure that I had been told about and read about; but I tried to not let my nerves get the best of me. I’d never had surgery before and my first time being heart surgery had me worrying. The best way I could deal with the worry and nerves was that I had the support of family and friends and that I was in the hands of professionals.

Just recently I travelled back to Limerick University and played my first match after two years – on the same pitch against the same team. There was no Hollywood entrance; it was a hard fought game and at times I struggled both emotionally and mentally.

I was fearful and hesitant, but by the end of the match I had made it back on the pitch and scored the Knights’ only touchdown of the day. To some it was just a game, but for others and myself it was a positive step to getting back to normality and closure.

I struggled emotionally and mentally over two years and at times I really didn’t deal with it too well, if I even dealt with it at all. I still have a lot of unanswered questions and some frustrations, but in all I owe my life not only to the Red Cross and the Royal Hospital Cardiologists (Dr Roberts); but also the non-professionals – my family and friends, the Carrickfergus Knights and most of all my girlfriend at the time, Mel, who went through the daily motions and emotions and sat through seven hours of surgery and recovery. Words can’t express my heart-felt gratitude.

Gary McElkerney

Rebels defeat Rhinos 13-0

The West Dublin Rhinos hosted the Dublin Rebels, reigning Shamrock Bowl Champions on Sunday in Castleknock College. Another blistering day of sunshine and tough football was on show for all the fans who came to watch and both teams were coming off wins in their previous IAFL games.

The Rebels on the back of a victory over Trinity College the week previous kept that momentum and on the opening drive of the game and marched down the field with the ball mainly in the hands of running back Aaron Smyth. This Rhinos defense firmed up on the goal line. However, the Rebels scored on 4th down and goal when Aaron Smyth walked into the endzone for the opening score of the game. The extra point attempt was blocked.

Rhinos running back Sean Power made a couple of first down runs to get the Rhinos into Rebels territory. However, the Rebels sacked Rhinos QB Macken to halt the drive.  On 4th down from the 15 now the Rhinos attempted to put some points up on the board with a field goal attempt which was no good. The score remained 6-0 Rebels.

The spectators were treated to a hard hitting game of football for the rest of the half, the Rhinos and Rebels defenses neither wanting to give up a score stepped up and shut down the opposing offenses.

The second half seemed destined to continue as the first had ended, both sides were making small gains here and there before being forced to punt. The Rebels increased their lead towards the end of the 3rd quarter when one of their running backs took a hand off up the middle of the field and sprinted 40 yards into the endzone for the Rebels second touchdown. The extra point attempt was good and put the score at 13-0 Rebels.

The Rhinos offense were playing catch up football but the Rebels experience on defense showed, not allowing the Rhinos to make any big gains through the air. The Rhinos defense also stepped up after conceding two scores with veteran linebacker Eoin Fox intercepting a tipped ball.

The game finished a 13-0 and with a rematch coming up on the 5th June, at Sportslink.

For more pictures from the game, see the Rhinos Media section.

Report by Rhinos, edited by IAFL Staff.

DV8s schedule released

The 2011 DV8s schedule has been released by the IAFL.

This years league will feature 5 teams. Three of the teams are development teams – Tullamore Phoenix (2nd year), Drogheda Lightning (1st year) and Trim Bulldogs (1st year). The Carrickfergus Knights and Craigavon Cowboys are also fielding 2nd teams in a limited number of fixtures. As with previous years, the number of games each team plays various to take account of their development needs. It is also planned to hold a DV8s Blitz, open to all IAFL teams, in Tullamore on Sunday August 28th.

DV8s is an 8-a-side (as opposed to 11-a-side) version of kitted American football. It has two important development aims – firstly it allows newly established teams who are in the process of building player/equipment levels to gain valuable on-field experience while they recruit players/staff – a typical DV8s squad is c.16-20 players,  as opposed to 30-40 in the 11s league. New IAFL teams typcially spend 2 years at DV8s level before advancing into the main league.  Secondly, it allows some of the larger IAFL squads to field 2nd teams consisting of young inexperienced players who will benefit from game experience against similar opposition.

Link to fixture list:

http://www.americanfootball.ie/dv8s-standings/