Month: April 2012

Trinity College wins Colours Match

 

Trinity College 22-8 UCD

Report by Trinity College reporter.

Friday 27th April saw history take place in Ireland on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as Trinity Football and UCD competed in a “colours game”, the name given to the rivalry games played in any sport between the two colleges. This game was made special however for two reasons; firstly it was being held on a Friday night, but secondly and more importantly it was the first time the two colleges had ever played each other in an IAFL regular season game on Trinity’s historic campus in the heart of Dublin City. 

Around 400 people turned up to witness the historic game being played on College Park. Coach Darrin O’Toole’s Trinity team came into the game on the back of a 3 game streak and sat at 3-2 in the league standings. John Collins UCD came off a defeat the previous Sunday to the UL Vikings but found themselves at a respectable 2-3, with UCD knowing a victory would see them level with Trinity on points, but a win over their rivals could give them a vital advantage if a tie breaker was needed in deciding the playoff spots. On the flip side Trinity knew a win would put them at 4-2 and eliminate UCD from playoff contention.

Trinity took the opening possession and drove down the field well, however nerves on the big occasion were apparent as Trinity’s receivers dropped two big passes. Trinity kicked a field goal to finish the opening drive with a 3 point lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, a gutsy onside kick by Daniel Murphy saw Trinity catch UCD off guard and regain possession. Trinity again moved the ball well but saw some drops by their still nervous receiver corp. Trinity made a big passing play on a fourth down on the UCD 30 to keep their drive going, and on the next play RB Rob McDowell broke one to the endzone, however the officials incorrectly ruled him out at the time. Video later showed he did indeed break the plane. On the next play, QB Daniel Flynn pushed into the endzone behind Trinity’s O-Line. A UCD DT pulled the ball from the QB’s grasp, but he had broken the plane and a Touchdown was given.

Trinity’s defense, led by Dave Barker and Vince Ngo held firm on the UCD drive. On Trinity’s next possession rookie Rb Josh Megan towards the endzone but a tremendous tackle by UCD’s outside linebacker prevented him from getting the final two yards required. Megan pulled a hamstring on the play and was ruled out for the rest of the game. On the next play McDowell found the endzone.

The half wound down with Trinity once again getting into the redzone, but an excellent stop by UCD on this series saw the half come to a close with Trinity leading UCD 16-0.

The second half saw UCD galvanise their defense and Trinity found plenty of field possession but little reward for it.   On offense UCD struggled to move the ball despite some catches, but most were for short gains and Trinity coach Danny O’Callaghan’s defensive unit swarmed to contain any threats. Andrew Redmond, Shane De Lappe and Adam O’Shea all started to find their way through the UCD O-Line, whilst Brian O’Driscoll, Alex Gurnee and Cian Lafferty shut down the UCD deep passing threat.

Near the end of the 3rd quarter Trinity’s offense took to the field and executed a solid drive which saw Rob McDowell make a big run through the heart of the UCD defense, then WR Alex Gurnee catch a deep ball in the middle of the endzone. Trinity now led 22-0.

On Trinity’s next drive, RB Sam Whelan fumbled the ball and UCD regained possession, however an inadvertent whistle meant Trinity retained the ball. Trinity however could not capitalise and missed a FG on fourth down. UCD remained a constant threat, and early in the fourth quarter they managed an excellent pass on fourth and long to keep their drive alive. On the very next play, UCD QB Colin O’Meara struck a laser through the Trinity secondary and UCD scored on a 50 yard pass. O’Meara then scored on the two point conversion, giving UCD hope with time on the clock and the score at 22-8.

UCD onside kicked the ball, but Trinity DE Adam O’Shea had little trouble regaining possession for the home team. The fourth quarter ebbed and flowed with Trinity failing to capitalize on good field possession and UCD starting to gain some momentum. However a third down saw the play of the game, as DT Cormac “Too Tall” Coughlin burst through the UCD line to deflect a Colin O’Meara pass, and Trinity Safety Gareth O’Shea made a diving, second attempt fingertip catch, barely keeping the ball off the ground. Trinity once again were held by the excellent UCD defense, but on UCD’s next possession O’Meara threw a deep bomb which was intercepting by Alex Gurnee.

The game finished 22-8 in Trinity’s favour and saw Trinity storm on the back of a four game winning streak to 4-2. UCD sat at 2-4 as a result and were eliminated from playoff contention. The win also saw TCD take a 2 game winning streak in the IAFL against their collegiate rivals. The Twentyone Club and Lounge MVP was given collectively to Trinity’s Offensive Line.

Both team now break for exams and return to the field May 20th, with Trinity playing the 1-3 West Dublin Rhinos.UCD travel to Belfast the same day to play the 1-4 Craigavon Cowboys.

www.trinityfootball.ie

IAFA Annual General Meeting

The Irish American Football Association held its Annual General Meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry on Saturday 21st April last.

Restructuring:

The most significant outcome of the AGM was that the Association approved the adoption of a new structure for the sport which will hopefully be implemented with effect from early 2013. This new structure follows the Irish Sports Councils corporate governance recommendations and will involve all aspects of the sport coming under the umbrella of an expanded Association Board and many of the day to day functions being carried out by an executive appointed by the Board. A Working Group was established to draft new statutes and consult with the member organisations regarding the detailed implementation.

Board Members & Appointees:

The incumbent officers were reappointed to their positions. In order to smooth the transition to the new structure, the alternate Board members from the IAFL, IAFOA, IFFA and representatives of the IAFCA will also attend all Board meetings. The new Board is as follows:

President: Greg Loughran

Secretary: Cillian Smith

Treasurer: Michael Smith

Alternates/Representatives:

John Judge, Chris Gaughan, Russell Kerley, Ken Farrell & Tony Rivers.

Auditor: Terry Lynch.

IAFA Coaching established:

The IAFA approved the establishment of a new Coaching Department.  John Judge was appointed as the Associations first ever Director of  Coaching and Chris Gaughan will be the departments administrative coordinator. This Department has taken over the registration, regulatory and education functions that were previously carried out by the IAFCA. Coaching in Ireland is expected to undergo significant changes over the next couple of years consequential to the sport transitioning from BAFCA certification to Coaching Ireland certification courses/standards. Two coaches are currently enrolled in Coaching Ireland’s tutor course at UL.

Other topics discussed at the AGM include the big events taking place later this year, IFAF/EFAF matters and the recently announced ISC grant.

2012 DV8s Development League Schedule.

The 2012 DV8s Development League schedule was announced today. There will be 19 regular season fixtures played this year, which is more than for any previous DV8s season. Drogheda Lightning and Trim Bulldogs return for their second year of their development programme. The DV8s programme will kick off on May 6th when both these teams meet in Trim. Five IAFL teams will be fielding 2nd teams – Belfast Trojans, Carrickfergus Knights, Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Dragons and Tullamore Phoenix.

DV8s is an 8-a-side (as opposed to 11-a-side) version of full 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 c.40 in the main IAFL 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. The number of games scheduled per team varies and is taylored to their particular development needs.

2012 DV8s Development League Schedule

[matches league_id=29 season=2012 mode=all template=iafl-weeks]

IAFL Week 6: Trinity go to 2-2.

By Trinity College Reporter (edited).

TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN 70-0 DUBLIN DRAGONS

Sunday 1st April, ALSAA, Dublin Airport.

Daniel Murphy of Trinity College makes a difficult catch.

 Having endured big losses in their opening two games to last years’ Shamrock bowl contenders, followed by a huge upset victory in game three over the Carrickfergus Knights, Trinity went into game four to face the Dublin Dragons, the final of the original four  IAFL teams.

 Trinity had several notable injuries ahead of the game. WR Craig Marron awaits an MRI result on a knee injury which prevented him play in 2010 following an injury in practise, and rookie QB Dan Flynn is still recovering from the separated shoulder which forced Trinity to play the second half of their Knights victory without an actual quarterback on the field. On that day, running back Rob McDowell stepped under center. Coming off a bye week and with Flynn still healing, Trinity had the opportunity to prepare McDowell for a role under center. The results in ALSAA turned out to be staggering.

 The Dragons returned the opening kickoff to the 20 yard line and were solidly held on their opening drive by the Trinity defense. The Trinity offense took to the field with McDowell at QB and rookie RB Josh Megan getting to step into McDowell’s shoes in the backfield. Trinity got into scoring range however the Dragons managed to hold firm and in stopping Trinity on fourth down. They saw their offense take to the field for their second drive from the 25. The Trinity D was once again unfazed and the Trinity offense took to the field from the 35 following a good return by Megan on the Dragons punt.

 The Dragons made two solid stops against Trinity’s run game but on 3rd down McDowell found WR Alex Gurnee for a 10yd gain. McDowell then ran it to the 1yd line, bringing the first quarter to a close at a surprising 0-0. On third down however Megan ran up the middle to give Trinity the lead, and a big catch by WR Tyler Cooper gave Trinity an 8-0 scoreline.

 A big defensive effort led by medical student Vince Ngo saw the Dragons to a quick 3 and out. Trinity took possession at their 30, and a big run from Megan and catch from WR Andrew Walsh had Trinity marching the field until a penalty sent them back 15 yds.  Trinity appeared to be on comfortable, but still only holding an 8-0 . Some nice catches from WR’s Walsh and Cooper saw Trinity continue down the field, and Trinity finished the drive finding WR Alex Gurnee for a big catch in the endzone. McDowell failed to connect with the 2PAT, giving TCD a 14-0 lead early in the 2nd.

 Trinity’s next possession stalled but the Dragons failed to capitalise and on 4th down Junior LBDave Barker tackled  the Dragons punter for a safety. On the first play of Trinity’s next drive WR Alex Gurnee found the endzone once again for a 40 yd TD and Peter Quinlan kicked the PAT giving TCD a 22-0 lead at the half.

Trinity College's McDowell

 The second half saw Trinity receive the kick, and Rob McDowell yet again taking a ball from his endzone and sprinting the length of the field for a TD which ended the game as a contest.  Quinlan again converted the PAT, bringing the game to 29-0. Trinity’s next drive saw WR Daniel Murphy make his mark on the game, catching 3 passes including one in the endzone to give a TCD 35 point lead. Big stops by rookies Adam O’Shea and Andrew Redmond on the Dragons ensuing drive saw Trinity take the field again and McDowell found the endzone quickly, this time WR Andrew Walsh catching the TD. By now Receivers Coach John Heffernan had seen all of his players reach the endzone.  Another missed PAT left it at 41-0.

 The Dragons gained big on the kickoff bringing them to Trinity’s 25 and their best field position of the day, but on 3rd down rookie LB Andrew Redmond intercepted the QB and returned it for a touchdown. On the 2PAT Coach O’Toole sent on former Dragon and Trinity student Tom Lenihan at fullback and he bulldozed into the endzone making it 49-0 Trinity with the bulk of the 4th quarter to go.

 Another 3 and out for the Dragons then saw Megan and Cooper see some nice touches before McDowell took it 30 yards to the endzone himself and Quinlan kick the PAT to make it 57-0 TCD. Cornerback Conor Campbell then picked off the Dragons QB on 2nd down and gain plaudits from Trinity DB Coach Dave McGrath, and McDowell then threw deep and it was hauled in by Tyler Cooper, bringing Trinity to the redzone once again. On this drive however the Dragons would show they could step up and shut Trinity down on all four downs. Trinity’s defense held firm against a quick passing attack, and saw their offense return to the field. Three plays later, McDowell broke a blistering 70 yd run to the endzone to make it 64-0. Big plays by Vince Ngo and DE Cormac “Too-Tall” Coughlin saw McDowell take to the field on the Trinity 20 with 90 seconds to go.

 Post game McDowell was named as Twentyone Club and Lounge Game MVP, and his final play from scrimmage turned into one of the best plays of the season. McDowell shrugged off a strong blitz and escaped the tackle, rolled out of the pocket and proceeded to slalom through seven attempts to tackle him as he stormed 70 yds to the endzone.

 Members of new IAFL team, the Waterford Wolves were guests of Trinity’s coaching staff for the day and saw how explosive the IAFL can be. Trinity reach 2-2 and play Tullamore Phoenix next. The Dragons next game is against IAFL North leaders, Belfast Trojans. 

 Other Week 6 Results:

Craigavon Cowboys 26-14 Tullamore Phoenix

UL Vikings 55-13 Carrickfergus Knights

Josh Megan of Trinity College

EFAF General Assembly – Berlin 31st March.

The EFAF General Assembly took place in Berlin on March 31, 2012. Delegates from most of EFAF’s member federations attended the conference.  The General Assembly was opened by EFAF President Robert Huber.

The President of the Belgium Football League (BFL) Lesley Moreels was elected as new member of the Board of Directors for the remaining term of the Board until 2014. Michael Smith of the IAFA was appointed as EFAF Auditor, making him the second Irish person to hold a position of importance in the current EFAF administration – IAFA President Greg Loughran is on the Board of Directors of EFAF.

The AFBN (The Netherlands) as been accepted as full member of EFAF again following some restructuring of the sport in that country. The SAAF (Serbia) was recognized as new full member for Serbia. Croatia was also accepted as new full member. With those three additions EFAF has 24 full members, with six other countries holding other categories of membership.

The General Assembly also approved a new system of sending delegates to the GA which had been proposed by a working group composed of six legal experts out of the member federations.