EFAF Atlantic Cup – 23-24 June 2012

Venue: Lelystad, the Netherlands.

Irish Champions, Dublin Rebels finished a very credible 3rd in the EFAF Atlantic Cup, which is the official Western European Championship for amateur teams.

The Rebels had a comprehensive 44-0 win over Luxembourg Steelers in the tournaments 3rd place play-off on Sunday. The title was won by local favourites, Lelystad Commanders who defeated Brussels Tigers 12-0 in the Final.

The Commanders won their semi-final against the Rebels by a score of 65-20 on Saturday 23rd.

Sundays Fixtures:

Final: Lelystad Commanders 12-0 Brussels Tigers.

3rd Place Play-off: Luxembourg Steelers 0-44 Dublin Rebels

Saturdays Fixtures:

Semi-finals:

Brussels Tigers 30-0 Luxembourg Steelers

Lelystad Commanders 65-20 Dublin Rebels

The Dublin Rebels travel to the Netherlands this weekend to play in the EFAF Atlantic Cup, which is the official Western European Championship for amateur clubs. The Rebels qualified for the tournament via winning last years Shamrock Bowl. They are joined in the tournament by hosts and defending Champions, Lelystad Crusaders, Brussels Tigers and Luxembourg Steelers.

The Rebels face a tough Semi-Final game on Saturday 23rd, when they play the home side, Lelystad. The Tigers and Steelers are matched up in the other Semi-Final. The Final and 3rd place play-off will take place on Sunday 24th.

This will be the Rebels second time playing in the Atlantic Cup – the reached they were narrowly beaten in the final in Brussels in 2009. The tournament will be hosted by Ireland in 2013 as part of ‘The Gathering’.

Preview Atlantic Cup IV (from EFAF)

Next weekend the fourth Atlantic Cup takes place in Lelystad/Netherlands, close to Amsterdam and Almere. Lelstad Commanders already gave an information about the area and the tournament a couple of days ago, also published here on this website. Four teams are participating from Benelux and Ireland the host Lelystad included, Brussels, Dublin and Dudelange.

Logo Atlantic Cup 2012
(c)EFAF

Following you can read the expectations the guest clubs are entering the tournament this years and their wishes and goals:

Brussels Tigers:

After a remarkable season in Belgium, the Brussels Tigers are proud to participate to this fourth edition of the Atlantic Cup.
The Brussels Tigers play this tournament for the second time. We were invited last year as a ”second” Belgian team because the Irish were unable to attend; for that reason, the BFL sent one representative for the Flemish league (FFL) and one for the French speaking league (LFFAB). Even though we ended up third, we still learned much more from this experience than from any Belgian championship.

The Brussels Tigers made an outstanding season this year. We remained undefeated throughout the season and eventually won the LFFAB championship final against the Liège Monarchs. After defeating the West Vlaanderen Tribes (who earned the title of Belgian champion six years in a row) in semifinal, we then won the Belgian Bowl against the Antwerp Diamonds. That victory is the second one in the history of our team, and happened ten years after the first one against the same teams in final and semifinal.

For the Atlantic Cup, our objective is twofold: first, we want to reach the final and fight a spectacular game against one of the strongest team in this tournament. The second goal -and the most important one- is gaining experience and learning from others, just as we did last year. I am confident that we will learn from this Atlantic Cup and grow stronger.
This tournament is also an opportunity to thank my players who worked hard and made countless efforts throughout the year at the practice. Some of our senior players first played flag football with the Tigers at the age of twelve before joining our American football team. They are now role models for the next generation of players, and demonstrate the importance of working with the younger ones.
We are going to the Atlantic Cup with this one dream: taking the first place, and we will do our best to make it happen.

Dublin Rebels:

The Dublin Rebels have both fond and bitter memories of taking on European competition in EFAF tournaments. In 2009 in Brussels, the Rebels unexpectantly reached the Atlantic Cup final by beating the Amsterdam Panthers only to lose to the host team, the West-Vlaanderen Tribe on a missed field goal in overtime. Despite the loss, the Rebels made waves on the European stage for their style of play and professionalism and gave Irish teams the belief that they could compete against teams from more established leagues. This was the case the following year when the Rebels passed on the proverbial torch to their fierce rivals the Limerick Vikings who represented Ireland in the 2010 Atlantic Cup held in University College Dublin in the south of the nation’s capital. After a comprehensive victory in the semifinals, the Vikings went on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when they pipped the Lelystad Commanders at the post by a score of 19-18 after 2 4th quarter TD’s. In this year’s cup, the Rebels will go toe to toe with the Commanders in the semifinals on their own turf who will be sure to have local support rooting for a home town team in the final. The Rebels will go into the tournament off the back of a successful regular season campaign going 6-1 (record at time of writing) in a tough IAFL South division and will be looking to add some European scalps to their list of vanquished opponents in 2012. For many players in the squad this year’s tournament will not be the first taste of European action they have savored. Veteran players such as QB Andy Dennehy, O-Line/D-lineman Fergal O’Hanlon and Free Safety Marcus Naylor will be desperately seeking to add a European crown to their impressive list of accolades. On the other hand most of the 2012 Rebels squad will be taking on non-Irish opponents for the first time and will be eager to get their feet wet in the deep end of the European football pool. Key players on the Rebels offense include QB Andy Dennehy, RB Aaron Smith and Tight End Paul Smyth. On the Rebels defense; Linebacker Steve Walsh and Defensive End Simon Mackey will play vital roles in keeping offenses at bay. The Dublin Rebels are honored to represent Ireland and the IAFL in the 2012 Atlantic Cup and will no doubt experience a tournament to remember.

Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange:

For the Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange it is an honour and they are proud to represent the country of Luxembourg in a big EFAF Tournament like the ATLANTIC CUP.

As the one and only Tackle Football Team in Luxembourg, it will be the 4th appearance at the Atlantic Cup and it will be this year the hardest and toughest one regarding the previous tournements before. The reason for that is, our Team is in a generation changing process, and that’s why there was also the change of the Name in December 2011 from Luxembourg Dragons of Dudelange into Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange. We wanna have a new beginning and fighting now with the consequences of the changements in the Team. After getting rid off all those lame excuses guys, we was playing the entire season with only young and new Players and our old squad. Due to the fact of the clearing work we are complaining also a lot of injurys on the old guys thru the season. One of the biggest accured losses is the Knee Injury of the Center Position in the last Season Game 3 weeks ago. That will live us to another big hole in the Offense Line.
So the only expectation for this years Atlantic Cup is for the Luxembourg Steelers of Dudelange to survive the Tournement without any other injuries, to get our new and young Football Players european experience. So those athletes can learn from Games against much stronger Teams than we are at present.

The Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) American football event being organized by Global Football in Dublin and County Meath this summer is expected to have a positive €4.5 million economic impact in Ireland.

The figure was announced at a media gathering at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin where Irish American Football Association President Greg Loughran presented GIFT 2012 organizer patrick Steenberge with a customized Irish national team jersey.

GIFT 2012 will feature 12 high school and college teams from the United States and Canada playing a series of ‘Friday Night Lights’ double headers at 4pm and 7:30 pm on Friday, August 31 at Donnybrook Stadium and Parnell Park in Dublin and at Pairc Tailteann in Navan, County Meath. The competitive regular season games are being held on the eve of the September 1 Navy versus Notre Dame clash at the Aviva Stadium.

More than 2,300 visitors associated with the participating schools will arrive in Ireland specifically because of the GIFT 2012 spectacular, and would not be coming to Ireland if not for these games. Additional sports fans are expected to attend the games from across Ireland, Europe, the United States and even further afield. Tickets available at www.tickets.ie.gift2012 have been sold to overseas fans from Canada, England, Scotland, Germany, Austria and even Australia. Buyers from 13 different American States and 33 towns within Ireland have bought tickets.

“First and foremost we are showcasing high school American football at its very best and are providing the experience of a lifetime for the visiting players, coach, families and friends,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. “But bringing this many people to Ireland specifically for this event also has a very positive impact in that the money they spend and the investment we make in staging the games benefits local businesses, people and the Irish economy.

“We believe this spending will have a positive impact on the Irish economy, and we hope in particular that local businesses benefit and that GIFT 2012 is able to leave a lasting impression for all the right reasons.”

The economic impact figure is calculated by measuring payments made by 2,300 travelers visiting for the GIFT event and their anticipated spend while in Ireland, including:
• Hotel nights during a four-day stay
• Travelers booked on Aer Lingus flights
• Meals at local restaurants and bars
• Public transportation and taxis
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Visits to tourist attractions
• Stadium rental costs
• Additional event operations costs
• Spend at stadium concessions

Visitors for the GIFT event will stay at the Citywest Hotel, Saggart; Bewleys, Leopardstown; Bewleys Newlands Cross; Green Isle, Newlands Cross; Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Newlands Cross; Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim; Royal Hotel, Bray and Newgrange Hotel, Navan.

The University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire won Celtic Classic V with a 58-2 victory over the University of Limerick Vikings in Limerick today.

The visitors scored nine touchdowns against a determined Limerick team that scored on a blocked extra point returned almost the length of the field for two points.

Starting quarterback Austin Neu completed 11 of 13 pass attempts for 132 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception, while fellow signal caller Mark Munger was just asaccurate, completing 13 of 14 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. There were scores on the ground for Chris Olson, Kalan Stittleburg, Zack Zuidema and Ben Van Geffen, and in the air for David Goodman, Ryan Moertel and Nathan Bollinger and on an interception return for Coltan Ellis.  Defensively, Andy Nuemann came up with three interceptions, while for the Vikings, Sean Sheehy raced to the end zone much to the delight of the home crowd at the Garryowen Rugby Club for Limerick’s well-deserved points.

Limerick’s inside rushing game was snuffed out early on by the Blugolds and with their first offensive play of the game, the Americans scored as Neu lofted a 35-yard pass to Goodman for the opening touchdown, but the extra point rattled off the upright. A pair of dropped passes halted the Limerick offense and starting at their opponents’ 30-yard mark, the Blugolds quickly doubled their lead as Stittleburg charged up the middle to score.  More advantageous field position led to Zuidema breaking tackles on a scoring run for a 20-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Limerick defense stepped up and Liam Ryan hurried Munger, bringing up a third down, but a 39-yard gain to Bollinger set up a chance for offensive lineman Van Geffen to take the ball and barge his way into the end zone from two yards out. James Twomey just failed to hold onto a pass over the middle as Limerick scrapped for yardage on third down and the visitors were clinical in reply.  Olson gained 12 yards on the ground and then broke into the end zone from two yards out and the Blugolds led 34-0.

James Twomey just failed to hold onto a pass over the middle as Limerick scrapped foryardage on third down and the visitors were clinical in reply.  Olson gained 12 yards onthe ground and then broke into the end zone from two yards out and the Blugolds led 34-0. Sean Goldrick produced a crunching special teams tackle to force UW-Eau Claire tostart from their own half for the first time, and the home defense held, leading to a 23-yard field goal that sailed wide right just before halftime.Olson returned the second half opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown that was calledback for an illegal block, but the Blugolds worked methodically from their own 20 toeventually score as Neu hit Bollinger from 11 yards out for a 40-point lead.Neumann’s interception got the ball back immediately and Stittleburg scored on a 10-yard rush, then the alert Neumann intercepted Marc Ashworth again and lateraled toEllis, who raced 30 yards to score.After Munger had found Moertel on a 12-yard scoring pass, the resulting extra point wasblocked and Sheehy picked up the loose ball to charge down the left sideline and earntwo points awarded for returning the ball to the end zone.

Trinity College Dublin put up a very credible performance against the New England Ironmen at Trinity College Sports Grounds today. The Ironmen are an Allstar team made up of some of the best graduating seniors from small colleges in the New England area of the United States. The team was coached by JB Wells, who coached Endicott College to victory in the 2012 North Atlantic Bowl.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is the latest school from the United States to head overseas on an American football and cultural sightseeing adventure with Global Football and will visit Ireland from June 9 to 16.

The Blugolds will face the University of Limerick Vikings at the Garryowen Rugby Club in Limerick in the ‘Celtic Classic V’ on Sunday, June 10, kickoff 2pm.  The visiting party of 60 players, coaches, family and friends will then embark on a sightseeing tour before heading home.

The visit comes on the back of two recent Global Football tours to Italy for Adrian College and a Team Stars & Stripes all-star squad and in advance of the spectacular Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012 that will see 10 high school and two college teams play at three venues in Dublin and Navan on Friday, August 31.

“What a thrill this will be for all the players, coaches and parents from Wisconsin-Eau Claire to travel to Limerick to play one of the top teams in Ireland,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. “We have staged games in Ireland for many years, but have never had the chance to visit and play in Limerick, so I am also excited to check out the town and see the level of football played there.  Coach Glaser brought a great group of guys and supporters to Spain three years ago, and they are all eager to play, then to tour the wonderful Irish island.”

UW-Eau Claire finished the 2011 college season with a 5-5 record, though the close score in three of those losses was within one touchdown.  Head coach Todd Glaser has been at the helm since 2006 and guided the Blugolds to an NCAA Division III playoff berth for only the second time in program history in 2007. http://www.blugolds.com/sports/fball/coaches/index

The Blugolds are led on the field by junior quarterback Austin Neu, who led the entire Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in passing yards per game as he averaged 247.9 playing in 10 games.  He threw 17 touchdown passes, third best in the league, and completed 65.7 percent of his passes (199-for-303), a school record for a single season.

Freshman kicker Josh Albrecht was second on the team in scoring with 59 points, a mark that also ranked sixth best in the league.  He recorded nine field goals, which was the fourth most in a single season in team archives.

The University of Limerick hosts were formed in 1999 and won the Irish national championship Shamrock Bowl three consecutive years in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the EFAF Atlantic Cup in 2010 when they were ranked among the top 20 teams in Europe.

Led by head coach Ciarán O’Sullivan, the Vikings are unbeaten in 2012 with a 7-0 record and close their regular season this Sunday, June 3 at home to the Tullamore Phoenix.  They will enter the playoffs following the clash with UW-Eau Claire with high hopes of reaching a sixth Shamrock Bowl in team history on Saturday, July 14 at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

“We are looking forward to this game immensely,” said UL Vikings Chairman Ian Cahill, who also wears number 22 for Limerick and plays on the defensive line.  “We have had a great season so far and it will be a great challenge for us to test ourselves against an American college team.”

The game is sanctioned by the Irish American Football Association, which governs the fastest growing sport in Ireland.

After the Celtic Classic V game, the two teams will socialize together and the American visitors will experience the Irish national pride as Ireland’s soccer team opens its Euro 2012 campaign in Poland against Croatia in a game that will be shown live in bars and restaurants throughout the country.

The UW-Eau Claire party will spend time sightseeing in Ireland, visiting Limerick, Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle and Dublin.