The Craigavon Cowboys victory over the West Dublin Rhinos in the final regular season fixture earned them the final place in the 2011 Shamrock Bowl play-offs and the 5th seeding. They will now travel to fellow IAFL North team, Belfast Trojans (4th seed) on 10th July to contest the Wildcard game. The Trojans narrowly missed out on winning IAFL North, having finished with the same record as IAFL North winners Carrickfergus Knights. This will be the first time that 3 teams from the same Division have qualified for the play-offs.

The winner of the Wildcard game will travel to Limerick to play the UL Vikings on 17th July in the Semi-Finals. The UL Vikings earned the No. 1 seed in the play-offs having finished the season with a perfect 8-0 record. The Vikings did not meet either of the Wildcard teams in the regular season, however, their seeding and consequential home field advantage should install them as favourites for the game.

The other Semi-Final features IAFL Central winners Dublin Rebels at IAFL North Winners Carrickfergus K nights. There is a long standing rivalry between these two teams, who have met in the Shamrock Bowl on a number of occasions. The Knights have homefield advantage for the tie due to having won one more game than the Rebels during the regular season.

The Semi-Final Winners will meet in Shamrock Bowl XXV, which will be played at Morton Stadium, Santry on Sunday 31st July.

2011 Play-Off Seedings:

1. UL Vikings – IAFL South Winners.

2. Carrickfergus Knights – IAFL North Winners.

3. Dublin Rebels – IAFL Central Winners.

4. Belfast Trojans – Best record of non-division winner.

5. Craigavon Cowboys – 2nd best record of non-division winner.

2011 Play-Off Fixtures

[matches league_id=25 season=2011 mode=all template=iafl-weeks]

Carrickfergus Knights (6 – 1) @ Belfast Trojans (5 – 2)

Malone RFC, Belfast. 2pm.

In week 5 the Trojans travelled to Carrickfergus where they met an in form Knights team.  The Trojans conceded a season high 34 points in a losing effort where they managed, another, season low 6 points of their own. Since then they have pushed the Knights hard, trading the lead in the toughest division.  Since that game on April 3^rd the Trojans have gone 4 – 1, including a stunning victory over current champions  The Dublin Rebels.

Carrickfergus are having a season most IAFL Teams only dream of.  They have racked up an impressive 162 points on offence – averaging a stunning 23.14 points per game.   Their wide receiver corps are leading their attack, McElkerney & McKillop  have a combined total of 10 TD’s so far this year. Veteran  QB &  Club Offensive MVP Adam Devenney is making the most of his return to football and enjoys one of the most balanced offences in the league.  They have a potent running game, which keeps linebackers honest and defensive backs guessing. 

The Knights defense is led by Club Defensive MVP, MLB Spencer McDowell.  This defense is fast and aggressive.  They have conceded only 78 points in their seven league games this year. But the Trojans have a wild card to play in this match up.  Their Special Teams is the talk of the IAFL.  They have the ability to rack up points in a single play.  The Knights will have to be on their guard from the opening kick – off.  The Trojans have improved from their first meeting with the Knights.  With 150 points scored in 7 games, they have scored in every match . They rank 3^rd in the IAFL & could well have topped  another division, but IAFL North is toughest division in Ireland.  Even now they have a slim mathematical chance of winning the division.  They mwin by a margin of 29 points to share the same 5 – 2 record as the Knights and win the IAFL Tie –Breaker.  A win for the Trojans would prevent the Knights from sweeping the division. 

Whichever team tops the Division will host the Dublin Rebels on July 17^th in the Shamrock Bowl semi-final.  The second place team take the long road to the ‘Bowl.  They will host the Wild Card game on June 10^th against either UCD or Craigavon Cowboys.  The winner of that game travels to Limerick to face the Vikings.  A lot to play for, before you even factor in pride! 

This could well be the game of the season! 

Catch This Game… I will!

UL Vikings @ Cork Admirals has been posponed.

Week 14

The pick of this week’s game has to be the clash between the Northern Divisional leading Knights and the resurgent Cowboys. With only 6 games left on the regular season calendar there are still a lot of questions un-answered regarding the post season. 

Craigavon Cowboys (3-3)  @ Carrickfergus Knights  (5-1)

Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus 2pm.

IAFL Division North has provided us with the bulk of our entertainment in the 2011 season.  They could well be rewarded with ALL three teams taking part in the post season.  This game is a must win for both teams.  For the Knights to win the Division they really need to get something from this game.  The Belfast Trojans have pushed the Knights hard all season and will be hoping the Carrick outfit slips up here.  The Knights are 3 – 0 at home and will be looking to maintain that impressive home record.  They have scored 69 points at Woodburn Road in 3 games and conceded a total of  13 points in the same games. If there is one team The Knights may not like to see roll into Fortress Carrickfergus it could well be the Cowboys.  Having reached a very impressive 3 & 3 record with an impressive win over the Trojans, the Cowboys are the form team of the IAFL. They have won 3 of their last 4 games in the league racking up an impressive 114 points in those games.  The Cowboys could well secure a wild card playoff spot with win on Sunday.  They need just one win from their remaining two games to ensure a post season slot.  That is a simple goal.  There are other more complicated and less likely scenarios that could see the Cowboys host the Knights in the wildcard game, but I am sure Coach Loughran will be focused on the game in hand. 

On the field both teams have balanced attacks.  As a result both defenses should be well prepared to cope with their opponents.  The Knights D has to be the top unit in this match up.  They have experience in depth and a devastating mix of size and speed that can limit an offense’s attacking options.  The Cowboys have managed to find and exploit weakness in defenses this season. They have scored in every game so far this year. They will have to build on recent results to over- turn their Week 3 loss at home to the Knights. 

The Castle Walls will echo to the sounds of a serious football game on Sunday Afternoon.  Without a doubt the game of the Week!!! 

UCD (3-4) @ Dublin Dragons (0-6)

Lucan Community College, Dublin. 2pm.

UCD travel to Lucan looking to keep their play-off hopes alive.  Never an easy place to get a result, the Students will have their work cut out on Sunday.  Meanwhile the Dragons will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Vikings last week.  Back to back games may not allow much time for bumps and bruises to heal, but UCD’s last game on the field was April 17^th.  The advantage must go to the Dragons who know what they can do on the field. That advantage though may be a very slim one.  UCD put up their biggest score of the season, 74 points , in the week 6 meeting at Belfield.  One thing is certain about this game – there will be TD’s!  The Dragons will be hoping they can improve on their offensive output.  Currently they are second from bottom in that category and no matter how well your defense performs they need a little help from “the other side of the ball”.   UCD know that a loss on Sunday and their season is over.  The Southern Division has not been as strong as previous seasons, but Coach Collins knows that a win could well spoil the Northern Divisions dominance of the play-off spots.

The following games involving Trinity College Dublin have been postponed:

Dublin Rebels @ Trinity College – Trinity Sports Grounds, 12th June 2011

Trinity College @ West Dublin Rhinos – Castleknock College, 19th June 2011

The IAFL apologised for any inconvenience caused.

The Craigavon Cowboys set out to avenge the 33 – 12 drubbing they received at the hands of the Belfast Trojans in week 7 of the 2011 IAFL season in their week 13 rematch at Brownlow Sports Campus on Sunday 5th June.
The constant rain made ball handling difficult for both teams but the Trojans benefited from the conditions first with #25 ,Aaron Mc Alinden fumling on the kick off return and put the Trojans in the driving seat straight away with their power running game. Three plays later the ball was in the Cowboys endzone , the extra point was good and the Trojans were 7 – 0.
The fighting spirit in the Cowboys squad did not allow this to effect their game. Slashing runs from recent recruit, #18 Gary Carr opened up the passing game of Quarterback, #2 Chris Bondi who completed a 35 yard touchdown pass to # 90, Peter Loughran though the attempted 2 point conversion was unsuccessfull.
The Cowboys Defense also found form and Belfast struggled to move the ball, with strong tackling from # 88 , Thomas Sheridan, # 59, James Loughran and #87, Lee Huston who scooped up a fumble that gave the Cowboys the ball deep in Trojans territory. Three plays later # 40 Bobby Murray carried into the endzone from 5 yards out and a pass on a 2 point conversion from Bondi to Loughran gave the Cowboys a halftime lead of 14 – 7.
The second half opened very favourably for the Cowboys when # 90, Peter Loughran batted down a lateral in the backfield which bounced back into his hands and he was off on a 60 yard touchdown run though again the attempted 2 point conversion was no good and the score was 20 – 7 for the Cowboys who looked like running away with the game.
However, not to be outdone, the Trojans hit back with two quick scores from #7, Dave Colvin and #45 Stuart Leckey and with both point after attempts successful the score was 21 – 20 to the Trojans with five minutes of the fouth quarter left.
Following a penalty against the Trojans, the Cowboys Offense took control of the ball on their 40 yard line and began marching the ball down the field, thanks to sound blocking from # 63 , Manny Bell, # 79 Paul Braniff and # 56 Joe Balmer on the Offensive line, Michigan born, Carr carried the ball to the Trojans 20 yard line but a number of penalties and fumbles due to the pouring rain brought up a fourth down and 20 on the Trojans 35 yard line. The Trojans dropped back into deep zone coverage and were not surprised when Bondi passed deep to get a first down which was caught by Loughran who had been pulled back by a Belfast Defensive Back. The resultant pass interference penalty brought up an automatic first down and two plays later Carr broke into the endzone for the go ahead score and repeated for the 2 point conversion for the Cowboys to go 28 – 21 up.
Although there were only 40 seconds left on the clock, the Trojans drove the ball down field to the Cowboys 30 yard line but a potentially game winning pass was picked off by Carr who was named as Cowboys,Most Valuable Player.
This win puts the Cowboys on a won 3 , lost 3 record in the strongest division in the IAFL. With just two regular season games left, a win in either game will give the Cowboys a wild card slot and the possibility of a rematch against the Trojans.
” We have two tough games ahead and we must win one of these to make the play offs for the first time in many years.The team is really starting to gel at the minute and the players are believing that we can make the play offs. We were the best team in the IAFL before and we will be again” said Head Coach Greg Loughran.
The Cowboys are away to the Carrickfergus Knights on Sunday 12th June and at home to the West Dublin Rhinos in Lurgan Park on Sunday 26th June, Kick off 2pm.

Week 13

We arrive at week 13 of the IAFL season and we are still no closer to a clear picture of the play-offs!  This week sees two teams fight to keep their play-off hopes alive.  The lead in the Northern Division could change hands yet again.  The Leagues only undefeated team hope look to maintain their 100% record.  Take nothing for granted – 2011 is the year of the unexpected!  

Belfast Trojans (5 – 1) @ Craigavon Cowboys (2 – 3) Brownlow, Craigavon. 1pm

The Northern Division has already provided two play-off bound teams.  Both the Trojans & Knights have an impressive 10 points from six games played.  The Knights hold on to top spot by virtue of their better head to head record. This Sunday the Trojans will be looking to take the top spot with a win in Craigavon.  The Trojans 5^th ranked defense have provided enough of a platform for their offence and special teams to win 5 of their 6 games.   They are an impressive 3 – 0 on the road.  Trojans Special Teams may be the talk of the League, but their balanced attack will ensure defenses play them honest.  The Cowboys may come into this game as underdogs, but that is a tag they would be comfortable with.  They have a good mix of youth and experience throughout their roster.  The Cowboys have scored in all of their games this season, including 12 points in their week 7 loss at the Trojans.  Since then they have exploded for a season high 42 points against Cork in week 8.  Their offence will cause the Trojans some problems. The Cowboys must win two of their remaining three games to stay in the hunt. A loss for the Trojans could see them take the long route to the ‘Bowl.    This game is a serious contender for game of the week and with so much at stake a must see for anyone in the area. 

UL Vikings (5-0) @ Dublin Dragons (0-5) Lucan Community College, Lucan. 2pm

Following a long layoff the IAFL’s early leaders will, no doubt, be looking forward to a game.  The Dublin Dragons play with a ferocious pride at home.  There are no easy games in Lucan.  While this game may not challenge for the title of game of the week, it has a lot of attractions for spectators.  There may never be a good week to host the IAFL’s leading offence & meanest Defense, but the first game after a two month hiatus is about as good as it will get.  The Dragons must get off to a good start to make a game of it.  They have their biggest roster for several seasons and with five games under their belt they should be looking to improve on recent performances.  They may not roll back the clock to the heyday of the Dublin Dragons, but this could be a learning experience that will serve them well down the road. 

West Dublin Rhinos (1-4) @ Dublin Rebels (3-3) Sports Link, Santry, Dublin. 1pm.

A win here will ensure the play off football for the Dublin Rebels.   It  would also stretch their lead at the top of the division to 3 points.  Meanwhile the Rhinos must win to keep their mathematical hopes of a wild card slot alive.  This game will see two of the league’s top defenses in action. The Rebels have conceded an impressive 61 points in six games this season.  The Rhinos have an equally impressive record giving up 50 points in five games.  Both offenses will be hard pressed to perform in this game.  The pressure falls mainly on the Rhino’s offence who have failed to provide a balance to their 2^nd  ranked defence!  The Rebels will be aware that their close neighbors have all the elements that go into an efficient and effective offense.  They will have to work hard to keep another clean sheet.  For the Rhinos another heartbreaking close “moral victory” will not do.  Perhaps their special teams can make a  mark in this game, perhaps their offence can contribute with score.  However they do it is a MUST WIN game for the Rhinos.  With both teams playing to stay alive and at a great venue for a football game, this is the IAFL GAME OF THE WEEK for week 7.   But make sure you set your alarm early this game kicks off at 1pm!!!