Following their impressive victory over Trim Bulldogs last time out, Drogheda Lightning were back in action on Sunday in their eagerly anticipated clash against league leaders Tullamore Phoenix. With both teams flying high in the DV8s standings after three games the match bore all the makings of a tough title decider and those who ventured to St. Oliver’s Community College were treated to a fine display of football from two teams at the top of their game.

The Lightning exploded out of the blocks, putting up a score with the games first play. Quarterback Dan Finnamore held his nerve to find Dave Murray with a ten yard pass before the Duleek native split the Tullamore defence, running fifty yards into the endzone to give the hosts a 0-6 lead. The touchdown marked the first time the visiting Phoenix had conceded all season but the County Offaly side regrouped to stop the point after attempt, keeping the deficit at a half dozen.

You don’t become champions by giving up though and the visitors pushed Drogheda hard for the remainder of the first quarter but were unable to put a score on the board thanks to some resolute Lightning defending. They did, however, put up a number of big yardage plays with Daire O’Beirne providing their biggest gain after a seventeen yard rush midway through the quarter.

Just as in the reverse fixture earlier in the season the Drogheda defence was finally breached in the second quarter. In spite of a last ditch Oisin Dowling tackle that halted the Phoenix just one yard short of the line, Tullamore running back Daire O’Beirne finished off a seventy one yard drive to level the score at six a piece. Once again the point after attempt fell short, keeping the score all square.

Capitalising on a tiring Drogheda side, who once again fielded a depleted line, Tullamore star Daire O’Beirne graced the endzone on his side’s next possession to put the visitors into the lead for the first time. Again they were unable to add the point after conversion, leaving the score 12-6 to the Phoenix. Brian Kirwan then crossed the end line before the end of the half to heap further despair on the home side whose own efforts were going unrewarded. Another failed point after attempt resulted in the sides going in at haft time with twelve points between them – Tullamore Phoenix 18-6 Drogheda Lighting.

Any hope that the Lightning may have held that they might come back into the game in the second half received a massive blow when Tullamore extended their lead with the first play of the second half, Daire O’Beirne crossing the line to add six to the growing gap between the teams. Another missed opportunity at the point after left the scoreline at 24-6 to the visitors.

In spite of the growing margin between the teams, Drogheda pushed on, looking to take something from a game that was quickly getting away from them. Unfortunately their efforts were in vein as Mark Brolly rounded out the scoring in the third quarter to extend the Phoenix lead, which was quickly added to with the game’s only converted point after attempt. The hosts, however, will find some solace in the fact that they managed to shut the visitors out for the entirety of the fourth quarter.

Though the game ended in a 31-6 loss, Drogheda will be keen to focus on the positive aspects of what was a thoroughly competitive game of football. In spite of the twenty-five point margin in the result they pushed Tullamore all the way in a display that bodes well for the future of the team. The Phoenix on the other hand will be hoping to build on four fine displays this season when they entertain Dublin Dragons in Tullamore on August 1^st.

Report by Drogheda Reporter.

Shamrock Bowl XXV American football

Morton Stadium

Sunday 31^st July 2011

The Shamrock Bowl is the Championship game of the Irish American Football League (IAFL). Shamrock Bowl XXIV is taking place at Morton Stadium on Sunday 31st July, 2011, kick-off 4pm.

The Event:

Shamrock Bowl XXV is being run as a family orientated event aimed at people who may never have attended a live game before. Spectators will be able to experience the unique atmosphere of a major American football game – watching on television does not compare with seeing the athleticism and hearing the hitting first hand.  The event will also feature live match commentary. At half time, there will be a flag football demonstration featuring players from the Schools Flag Football Programme.

The event is being run with the support and assistance of National Sports Campus Development Authority, who own and operate Morton Stadium.

The Teams:

Dublin Rebels and University of Limerick Vikings will contest Shamrock Bowl XXV.  They played each other once during the regular season – on March 20th – with the Vikings winning by the narrow margin of 6-3. 

UL Vikings:

2011 has been a year of change and growth at the University of Limerick Vikings. The coaching staff have been bolstered by the addition of Mark Thompson (O-Line) & Paul Gilhool (Running Backs). There were changes on the field too with the usual high quality injection of new talent. The 2011 Rookie class has provided several starters. The changes didn’t stop there. The Vikings launched a new look offence. A variant of the Flexbone, it has proved a huge success, taking UL to the top of scoring chart in the IAFL. The new system has allowed veteran players to rediscover old form & new players to blend into the scheme seamlessly. Offensive Tackle Eoin O’Sullivan has been of the players to benefit from this change, holding down a starting role onthe line throughout the season. James Twomey’s transformation from full back  to slot back has increased his impact on the game. A rotation of full-backs are the heavy armor in the attack. Glen Carr, Ian Cahill, Joe Nolan & Darrin Gleeson bring a variety of skill sets to the position and have provided many of the highlights for the Vikings in 2011. The Vikings Defense has long been one of the best in the IAFL. This year it surpassed all expectation leading the league conceding a stingy 17 points in 8 games. The average of less than 3 points per game is a mark that will be very hard to beat. The defense is led by an All-Star defensive line. Alan O’Carroll, Glen Carr, Kieran Coen & James Lorden. The Linebackers of Limerick carry on a tradition of aggressive and relentless pursuit of the football. The depth at this position must give UL’s coaches a real headache when it comes to naming the roster. The Vikings secondary is led by Liam Ryan, one of the country’s all-time great players. With Seamus Hogan returning from the US and Brouder and Sheehy settling into the cornerback roles, this must be the strongest defense ever fielded by a Vikings team.

Dublin Rebels:

Since the reformation of the IAFL in 2001 the Dublin Rebels have won seven League Titles and six Shamrock Bowls – both league records. They competed in nine of the past 11 Shamrock Bowls, narrowly losing to UL in 2008 and 2009. Last year, the Rebels won their sixth Bowl with a perfect 10-0 record, beating UL 15-0 in the championship game. This year’s 5-3 regular season record is the Rebels’ worst in recent memory, but a resurgent performance in the semi-finals showed that they are still a force in Irish football.  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 über-aggressive quartet of defensive linemen Ciaran Tighe, Fergal O’Hanlon, Mark Van Headley and Paul Smyth takes on the battle in the trenches. Behind this maelstrom, the speed of players like LBs Kevin Finnegan and Javier Benavente gives the Rebels the balance they need to compete in the IAFL’s flagship game. After dominant performances throughout last season, three of last year’s Rebels left Dublin to play semi-pro football in Germany’s GFL2 league – one to the Lübeck Cougars, joining two former Rebels teammates, and two to the Berlin Rebels. Coincidentally, those two teams clash today in a crucial game that could send one team into GFL1 to play at the highest possible level in Europe.

Irish American Football League (IAFL):

The IAFL is Ireland’s national American football league. Ten teams contested the 2011 season, which commenced in March – Belfast Trojans, Carrickfergus Knights, Cork Admirals, Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Dragons, Dublin Rebels, Trinity College, UCD, Univ Limerick Vikings & West Dublin Rhinos.

American football is one of the most rapidly growing sports in Ireland. The Irish American Football Association, which is the sports governing body, currently has c.1,200 members. The standard of play is increasing all the time to the extent that the IAFL is now one of the strongest amateur leagues in Europe. There are 40 national leagues and c.150,000 players in Europe.

Last Years Game:

The 2010 game was played on front of a crowd of 1,700 people at Tallaght Stadium and was also televised on Setenta Ireland and Setanta 1. The Dublin Rebels defeated the UL Vikings 15-0.

Ticket Prices:

Tickets are available from any Ticketmaster outlet nationwide or online at www.ticketmaster.ie. Tickets will also be available at the stadium on game day. Stadium capacity for the event is 3,000 spectators.

Prices: Main Stand Seating €6, Terracing €3

Location & Transport:

Morton Stadium, Santry is on Dublin’s Northside and is adjacent to the M50/M1 interchange, making it readily accessible to the entire country. It is also close to Dublin Airport and is on the main route for public transport and taxis from the City Centre. Please see map linked to below with details of the exact location:

http://www.mortonstadium.ie/#/location/4540763049

The following bus routes stop directly outside Morton Stadium:

16a  Dublin Airport to Lower Rathfarnham (Nutgrove Avenue) 

27b  Eden Quay Towards Harristown 

33  Lower Abbey St. to Balbriggan 

41  Lower Abbey St. to Swords Manor 

41b  Lower Abbey St. to Rolestown 

41c  Lower Abbey St. to Swords Manor 

See www.dublinbus.ie for further information.

Parking:

There is no parking provided at the stadium or on street immediately outside. People driving to the game are advised to park at Omni Park shopping centre – located a 5min walk from the stadium.

 

Shamrock Bowl XXV will feature the UL Vikings and the Dublin Rebels after both teams won their semi-finals today. Shamrock Bowl XXV will be played at Morton Stadium on Sunday 31st July, kick-off 4pm.

Tickets for Shamrock Bowl XXV are available from www.ticketmaster.ie.

Semi Final Results:

Craigavon Cowboys 8-21 Univ Limerick Vikings

Dublin Rebels 22-6 Carrickfergus Knights

Sunday 10th July 2011

Trim Bulldogs 0-40 Drogheda Lightning

St. Olivers Community College, Drogheda.

As two o’clock rolled round last Sunday four teams were preparing to take to the field in matchups that would make-or-break their seasons. In Belfast IAFL North sides Craigavon Cowboys and Belfast Trojans were two hours from finding out which of them would be travelling to Limerick to take on the #1 seeded UL Vikings in the Shamrock Bowl semi-finals, while south of the border in Drogheda the Trim Bulldogs and Drogheda Lightning were hoping to get their DV8s seasons back on track after both succumbing to losses against the experienced Tullamore Phoenix.

The game began with a blistering pace with Drogheda scoring in the first quarter. At St. Oliver’s Community College, Lightning running back David Murray continued his exceptional debut season running home a 60-yard play to put up the day’s first touchdown and give the under strength home side the perfect start. Rookie quarterback Dan Finnamore scrambled over for the PAT to give the Lightning a 0-7 lead. The Lightning kept up the pressure for the remainder of the half with Dan Finnamore once again crossing into the endzone, this time for the full 6 points before notching up his second PAT to double the score to 0-14.

As the end of the second quarter neared Drogheda’s Oisin Dowling was able to intercept a misplaced Bulldogs pass and return it for 6 before James English bulled through for the PAT conversion.

In the third quarter, Fu Faapito of Drogheda broke through for his first touchdown of the game to increase the hosts’ lead to 0-27 but the PAT was stopped by a Bulldogs defence that was still fighting despite the expanding deficit. Fu Faapito then added another score – breaking through the Bulldog’s defence to rush for a sixty-yard touchdown that was duly converted to extend his sides lead to 0-34.

Late in the fourth quarter, with their last offensive possession of the game Drogheda took the direct route to the endzone as Fu Faapito took over the QB role, completing a 15-yard pass to Matty Hagan to give the receiver his first touchdown of the season. After a hard fought game the Lightning were unable to push over the PAT to leave the final score in Drogheda at Trim Bulldogs 0-40 Drogheda Lightning.

The Craigavon Cowboys won the Wildcard game against IAFL North rivals Belfast Trojans by a score of 17-14 earlier this afternoon. They will travel to Limerick to face the UL Vikings in next weekends Shamrock Bowl semi-final.

The IAFL North has been the strongest division in 2011 with all three teams making the play-offs. The division was won by the Carrickfergus Knights with a 6-2 record, followed closly by the Trojans who also posted a 6 -2 winning season but were pipped for first place by points difference. The Trojans had finished their regular season with a last minute win over the Knights and so were strong favourites to beat the Cowboys who had only managed an even 4-4 season.

The Cowboys opened the scoring early in the first quarter when kicker , #17 Thomas Sheridan kicked a field goal from 42 yards out to put 3 points on the board for the Cowboys. Both defenses dominated the first quarter and the Trojans were rewarded with a 2 point safety when the snap for a punt went astry in the endzone. With half-time approaching and both team struggling to maintain momentum on their offensive drives, the Cowboys put an eighty yard drive together that ended with a touchdown from their most productive pairing of the year.  Quarterback, #2, Chris Bondi found Tight End, #1 , Peter Loughran with a thirty five yard pass in the endzone. Heaping the pressure on the Trojans, the Cowboys converted a 2 point attempt, when #9 Gary Carr carried the ball into the endzone to end the half 11 – 2 in favour of Craigavon.

With a few adjustments at half time, the Trojans came out determinded to get back in the game and it was not long before Running Back #33, Alex Newton forced his way into the endzone for a touchdown, but the extra point attempt was blocked making the score 11 – 8. At the end of the third quarter, a twenty five yard completion from Bondi to Receiver,#33 , Conal Walsh set up Full Back # 40, Bobby Murray who scored from 3 yards out. The extra point attempt was no good and the score was 17 – 8.

 

With the clock running down in the fourth quarter, Newton struck again for the Trojans and the home team Trojans were just a 3 point field goal away from forcing the game into overtime. With just over 2 minutes left on the clock, the Trojans recovered a fumble to take possession of the ball at their 40 yard line but a number of mistakes and penalties forced them into a 4th and 25 situation. The deep pass was intercepted by Sheridan and the Cowboys ran out the clock to win by 17 – 14. ” I am convinced that the Cowboys have peaked at the right time. We were not very competitive at the start of the season and we lacked the belief that we could grind out a result. However, we have come through that patch and we believe that we deserve to on the same field as the best teams in Ireland.” said Cowboys Head Coach, Greg Loughran.

The Most Valuable Player trophy went to Gary Carr, although Sheridan, Bondi, Walsh and Loughran all deserved honourable mentions

Craigavon Cowboys @ Belfast Trojans

Malone Rugby Club, Belfast. 2pm

 

This Sunday the IAFL embarks on its post season.  Every game is a winner takes all match up.  Regular Season formbooks go out the window.  Other factors become key to success as each team fights its way towards the Shamrock Bowl and tries to get their muddy & bloody hands on Irish Football’s Holy Grail.

The Knock Out match is the IAFL Wild Card Game which pits the 4 – 4 Craigavon Cowboys against the 6 – 2 Belfast Trojans.  At stake is a Semi-Final slot against the league’s top seeded U.L.Vikings.  This is a real treat for football fans here in Ireland.  The Northern Division has been the shining light of the IAFL 2011 season and these teams have fought their way to this game, giving us one more top class contest  to enjoy! 

This year has been a spectacular success for both teams.  The Belfast Trojans have beaten the reigning champion Dublin Rebels & their divisional rivals Carrickfergus Knights on their way to a 6 – 2 record.  A mark which could have won 2 of the 3 IAFL Divisions.  They arrive in the post season on the back of a thrilling home win against the Knights.  During which they displayed all of the attributes that ranks them 3^rd in the IAFL’s unofficial seeding.  Both their Defense and Offence rank 5^th though which points to consistency and balance across the board and also brings us on to their biggest weapon this season… Special Teams.  In close games it is a team who can kick field goals from distance, punt efficiently and kick off and return well that have the edge.  On more than one occasion this season the Trojans “third side of the ball” have provided that edge and propelled them to 3^rd overall.

On offence they have a few wrinkles that will cause opponents problems too.  If you plan for their orthodox offence, which carries a serious aerial threat, you may be caught by their very compact and effective Wild Cat look.  One of the few teams in Ireland to follow the lead of several NFL & NCAA teams, The Trojans have yet to reap the rewards of this element of their attack.  This may be less about execution and more about choosing the right moment to spring it on a defense.  For those attending the game it is sure to provide some of the more entertaining moments.

Over the 2011 season the Trojans scored an average of 20.75 points per game while their defense conceded an average 15.12 points per game.  That is pretty much all team can ask of their defense.  It speaks volumes on the organization, effort and coaching that these guys put in.  What’s more they have improved throughout the season. Their biggest setback came in week 5 against the Carrickfergus Knights.  They have however pitched 2 shutouts this season and gave up only 54 points total in the second half of the season – against tough opposition.

One of those opponents was the Craigavon Cowboys. On June 5^th the Cowboys won their regular season home fixture with the Trojans 21 – 28. This was another highlight for the ‘Boys who started slowly before bursting into action on their long road trip to Cork.  For a team who have conceded almost as many points as they have scored the stats do not tell the whole story.  Their offence is ranked 4^th in the league and has at its core one of the league’s most versatile QB’s.  Chris Bondi is supported by a capable roster who can create serious problems for defenses.  They have a solid running game which can call on the services of one of the IAFL’s all time great Full Backs, Bobby Murray.  Their passing game is equally potent, with TE Peter Loughran surely pushing to be the top TE in the league, while at the same time causing problems when he is lined up as a slot or wide receiver.  A well coached offensive line provides an excellent platform from which to launch attacks. 

The Cowboys Defense may rank 8^th in the IAFL, but they have the envious ability to read an opponent, adapt and break down their offense. They have done this regularly though out the season.  Again well coached and well prepared it will not be easy for the Trojans to find the endzone and they may have to rely on their kicking game to keep the score board ticking over. 

In the regular season these teams met twice Week 7 (April 17^th) Cowboys 12 @ 33 Trojans and again in week 13 (June 5^th) Trojans 21 @ 28 Cowboys.  Home field advantage proved decisive in both meetings and perhaps it will again on Sunday.  My feeling is the Trojans will have to strike early to overcome the Cowboys. 

No matter the result I would like to congratulate both teams on outstanding and entertaining seasons and I recommend this as a MUST SEE game!