We are in Week 12 of what is shaping up to be the most exciting season in the history of football on this Island.  The lead in the Northern Division has changed hands again! Week 11’s results have blown the play – off race wide open.  Some teams who may have felt they were out of contention have been thrown a life line in the race for post season places.  Every game counts – every score will impact the outcome of the Divisions and the wild card places. 

Cork Admirals (2-4) @ University College Dublin (2-3)

The Admirals must be looking forward to this game.  Their last trip to Dublin in Week 9 resulted in their first win of the season.  Last week they again faced Dublin opposition and put an impressive 63 points on the board.  With an offence that is now firing on all cylinders The Admirals are a force to be reckoned with.  This game was always going to be pivotal for the Students of UCD.  Coming after a long lay off – extended unexpectedly last week – it will be difficult for  the Sentinals to shake off the cobwebs and find the form they showed in Week 7’s 12 – 8 victory in Cork. 

UCD enter the game in the hunt for a Wild Card slot.  Anything other than a win would shatter that ambition and increase other teams prospects of a post season outing.  Victory for Cork would keep their feint hope of a play-off spot alive.  Do not write off Cork just yet, they have been to the knock out stages almost every year of their illustrious history. 

Carrickfergus Knights (4 – 1) @ Trinity College Dublin (3 -2 )

Trinity Sports Grounds, Santry Dublin. 2pm

Both teams in this game will be looking to retake the lead in their respective divisions.  Carrickfergus  are being pushed hard in the North by the rampant Trojans.  Trinity cannot afford to drop points in their drive to the post season. This, by any standards, is our game of the week. TCD last played on April 17^th.  6 weeks is a long time in football.  The Knights will be looking to add to their collection of Central Division scalps. Already in the month of May they have beaten the Dublin Rebels & The West Dublin Rhino’s. 

On the field this game will hinge on the match up between the Knights balanced attack and Trinity Football’s defence. Carrick have scored at least twice in every game this season.  20.8 pts per game average against tough opposition must make them favorites.  Trinity have given up only 58pts in their first 4 games.  14.5 pts per game is good benchmark for the young defense.  They will have to do better than that to give their option offence a platform to attack the game. 

The biggest test of the season so far for Trinity, the pressure is still on the Knights to bring home the Win. 

Catch a Game.

Week 11 of the IAFL 

The IAFL is fast closing in on the end of regular season.  Every result now impacts on the Divisional Standings and Play-Off places.  Week 10 saw the Dublin Rebels draw level with Trinity Football at the top of the Central Division, with the Rebels taking the top spot due to a better head to head record.  In the North the Belfast Trojans drew level with the Carrickfergus Knights, the Knights retain the top spot by virtue of their better head to head record. 

Week 11 sees all of the Southern Division teams in action and another  North v Central division clash. 

University of Limerick Vikings (4-0) @ U.C.D. (2-3) Belfield, Dublin 2pm.

Both University teams are coming back from long mid season lay-offs.  UCD’s last game was a low scoring thriller in Cork where they came away with a hard earned win.  The Vikings 5 week break began after a solid performance against a tough Carrickfergus team.  This game will be all about who copes best with the break.  Both teams will struggle to regain their momentum.  UCD’s defense have failed to keep a clean sheet all season and facing a Vikings offence that leads the league in points scored and points per game the pressure will fall on the Sentinel’s offence.  UCD must score early to give themselves any chance to reverse the result from their Week 2 loss in Limerick.  The Vikings have given up a meager 17 points in 4 games this season.  UCD have their work cut out and must make home field advantage tell.  Belfield is an easy location to get to in Dublin and hosts many top sporting events… well worth a visit.

Dublin Dragons( 0 – 4)  @ Cork Admirals (1 – 4) C.I.T. Cork 2pm

Week 9 saw the Admirals travel to Lucan and come away with the win.  Revenge may be a dish best severed cold, but this is football and I am sure the Dragons will be glad of this early opportunity to reverse the result.  The Admiral’s have shipped 54 points in two home games this season.  They are looking for their first win in Cork this week.  Meanwhile the Dragons have scored in both of their away games this season, having only been shut-out once.  The form unit in this meeting is the Cork Offence.  They have scored in their last 3 games and seem to be finding their feet at this late stage in the season.  A loss for either team will put an end to any post season ambitions.  The winners will keep faint hopes of a post season berth alive. 

This would be a good choice for anyone in the Munster region to catch a game.  The Admirals invite the visiting team to a local venue where game highlights are shown on a big screen.  Hopefully this tradition will catch on across the league!

Dublin Rebels (3 – 2) @ Belfast Trojans (4 – 1) Malone R.F.C. Belfast. 2pm.

The Dublin Rebels head north for the second time this month.  Now sitting atop the Central Division they will be hoping for a better result this time.  Their May 1 loss to the Knights put a dent in their play-off routine.  Last week they got their championship train back on the rails with a 14 – 39 win at home over the Cowboys.  The 39 points has been their best offensive production of the season.  Something the Trojans will need to be aware of.  The Trojan D has pitched back to back shut outs against The Dragons & Rhinos.  They may not shut out a third Dublin team in a row, but a good performance may be all their offence needs to secure a win.  Having scored in every game this season the Trojans are a consistent team, showing good late season form.  This is without a doubt the game of the week.  Both teams play tough football.  If you are in the Belfast area get out to Malone Rugby Club…  you will not be disappointed. 

CATCH A GAME!!!!

The Irish American Football League (IAFL) is pleased to announce that Shamrock Bowl XXV will take place in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday 6th August 2011. The decision to return to Tallaght was not a difficult one due to the success of last years event and the support of South Dublin County Council who own Tallaght Stadium. Shamrock Bowl XXIV, which was contested between the Dublin Rebels and UL Vikings, attracted a record crowd.

Tallaght Stadium is one of Ireland’s premier sporting venues and has excellent facilities. It hosts Shamrock Rovers League of Ireland and European games plus many other important sporting events.

Shamrock Bowl XXV marks an important milestone in the sport in Ireland as it is the silver anniverary of the game.

Tickets are expected to go on sale next month, though the participants will not be known until after the IAFL play-offs which take place in July.

 

 

Week 10 of the IAFL Season sees two Northern Divison Teams make the trip to Dublin to face Central opposition.  Both Central teams have been beaten by Northern Opponents recently & are no doubt looking forward to restoring some divisional pride. All games take place on Sunday 15th May and kick-off at 2pm.

Belfast Trojans @ West Dublin Rhinos – Castleknock College.

The Game of the Week has to be the Belfast Trojans (3 – 1) trip to Castleknock to face the West Dublin Rhino’s (1 – 3).    The Trojans last trip south yielded them 59 points.  Offensively they have racked up 106 points in 4 games.  Their defence however is not so consistent.  Shut outs against UCD and Dublin Dragons leaves 67 points given up  in 2 games.  Meanwhile Rhino’s fans must be wondering what they need to do to buy a win… simple score! The Rhinos have been shut out in 2 games this season and scored 14 points in 4 games.  The Rhino’s D ranks as one of the best in the league giving up and average of 10 points per game and keeping their team competitive in all of their games this season. The Rhino’s offence need to step up in this battle of Wild Card contenders.  An open game would suit the visitors.  For the Rhinos it hinges on finding the endzone.  Two scores could be enough for WDR’s D to secure the points.  For the Neutral Castleknock College is a stunning venue for a football game and the home support know their football and love their team. 

Criagavon Cowboys @ Dublin Rebels – Sportslink, Santry.

The second match up sees the Craigavon Cowboys (1 – 2)  travel to Sportslink, Santry to take on the defending Shamrock Bowl Champions, The Dublin Rebels (2 – 2)   Motivation will not be in short supply at this game.  The Rebels will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat in Carrickfergus.  The Cowboys hard hitting, compact brand of football will a good challenge for the Rebels.  Week 8 saw the Cowboys make the long trip to Cork to secure a win.  This week they will have a shorter journey but a bigger challenge.  The Cowboys Offence has scored 26 points in 2 games against their their divisional rivals this season and a further 42 points on the road win in Cork.  They will test the Rebels defence.  They have a balanced attack with the ability to drive the ball up the gut and hit the deep pass.  Their QB is comfortable moving in and out of the pocket.  Aaron McAlinden can run the length and width of the football field –  on a single play.  Peter Loughran is a threat down the field and Bobby Murray can be introduced when needed to punch holes in the defensive front.  The Rebels defence have the players and the ability to match up to the Cowboys.  The Rebels have conceded only 33 points in 4 games against top opponents ( -8.25 points per game average)  .  Again this is a Dublin Side looking for offensive production.  While Craigavon may concede an average  19.75 points per game, they are physical up front and have a fast and ball hungry secondary.  Dublin will have to establish the run before they look to pass.  But the Rebels have that ability.  Should be an enjoyable encounter at a central and fan friendly location. 

DV8s: Drogheda Lightning @ Trim Bulldogs – Boyne Community School.

In the DV8s Development League, Trim Bulldogs host Drogheda Lightning. Both are first season teams and should be quite evenly matched in terms of squad size and strength. This will be Drogheda’s first ever competitive game. Trim lost to Tullamore in their first game last weekend, but the experience of having played coupled with home field advantage should mean they are favoured in this fixture.

Catch a Game!

The Craigavon Cowboys traveled to Cork to play the Cork Admirals in their third IAFL game of the season. This was a crucial game for the Cowboys as they have lost their opening two games and need to get some league points if they have any hope of making the play-offs at the end of the regular season.

Winning the toss, the Cowboys received the ball and on the first play, #2 Quarterback, Chris Bondi completed a 25 yard pass to receiver #6, Martini Lach to establish their passing game and two plays later #25, Aaron Mc Alinden carried in from 11 yards out for the first score of the day. The extra point was blocked and the score was 6 – 0 for the Cowboys.

However the Cowboys Defence was slow to work out a way to handle the Admirals running attack and #86 John Kenny ran in from 25 and 26 yards to claim two touchdowns, one good extra point and a 13 – 6 lead for the Cork men. With the clock running down in the second quarter, Bondi complete a 36 yard pass to #7 , Peter Loughran in the endzone, extra piont no good, to keep the hopes alive and a halftime score of 13 – 12 for the home team. With some adjustments, the Cowboys took the field following the break and persued the ball more agressively on Defense and initially stalled the Cork running game but a clever reverse play saw Kenny run 50 yards for a score,extra point no good, and a 19 -12 lead.

This seemed to inspire the Cowboys into greater efforts and following a fumble recover by #17 , Shane Bell, Aaron Mc Alinden zigzaged across the field for a touchdown from 36 yards out and a pass from Bondi to Loughran for a 2 point conversion was good to put the Cowboys in the lead by 20 – 19. A pass interception by Cowboys #35, Chris Harper set up a 19 yard scoring rush from Bondi, extra point no good and a 26 – 19 score. A fumble recover by Loughran playing on Defense lead to a 17 yard touchdown run from #40 , Bobby Murray and a 2 point conversion to #33, Conal Walsh to make it 34 – 19. To round things off, Bondi intercepted a pass by the Admirals and then received a pass from Loughran at Quarterback in the endzone, followed by a 2 point conversion from Murray to make the final score Craigavon Cowboys 42 Cork Admirals 19.

“The score does not really reflect how hard fought this game was. The Admirals played in the Shamrock Bowl a few years back and are not a bad team but we showed today that we are a competitive team and a little confidence can go a long way when we face the current IAFL champions, the Dublin Rebels in two weeks time” said Head Coach , Greg Loughran The Most Valuable Player award trophy went to Peter Loughran.

West Dublin Rhinos @ Carrickfergus Knights

The game of the week would have to be the clash between the West Dublin Rhinos (1-2)  and the   Carrickfergus Knights(3-1).  The Knights appear to have set themselves up for a home semi-final following last week’s win over the IAFL Champion Dublin Rebels team.  The Rhino’s record does not tell the whole story of their season so far.  A 5 point heart breaker at Trinity in week seven is the difference between a winning and losing record.  The Rhino’s have a big well drilled and motivated squad.  They have good balance across their offence with their speed run, power run and a good passing game. 

The Carrickfergus Knights have shown their Post Season pedigree.  They are undefeated at home.  Scoring an average of 22 points per game they match up well against the Rhino’s defence.  The Knights know that they realistically  have to win just 3 of their remaining games to secure home field advantage.  Favourites this week they know that the Rhinos have the ability win close games.  A win for the Knights sees them march on to the Semi Finals.  A win for the Rhinos puts them back in contention for a wild card spot! 

Cork Admirals @ Dublin Dragons

The other game in week 9 is a Southern Division clash between the Cork Admirals (0-4) and Dublin Dragons (0-3) .  Both teams will be fighting for their first win of the season.  Both trying to put week 8 defeats behind them.  Cork are perhaps favourites in this match up.  Their defence has conceded fewer points in less games than the Dragons.  They have been in contention in 3 of their 4 games this season.  Offensively they have the ability to put together scoring drives.  While the Dragons offence has scored an average of 11 points per game, they do have the most porous defence in the league.  Corks travelled in good numbers to Dublin on week 4 and will have to do so again this week.  Do not enter the Dragons Den light handed or you will get burned. 

IAFL LeaguePreviews by CIA.

DV8s Development league Week 1:

Trim Bulldogs @ Tullamore Phoenix.

Defending DV8s Champions, Tullamore Phoenix open the DV8s season at home to newcomers Trim Bulldogs. The Phoenix impressed on their debut in 2010 and are hot favourites to win this years DV8s title in advance of moving into the main league in 2012. Most of the Phoenix’s large squad have returned for 2011 and they will have a significant numbers advantage over the Bulldogs. Bulldogs are optimistic about their chances, but, as with any debut team with a high percentage of rookies, this game will be more about the learning experience than the result. Phoenix to win.

DV8s preview by IAFL Admin.