The IAFA today launched its new Anti-Doping Statement which gives an overview of the organisations anti-doping policy as well as giving sources of information for participants. The Anti-Doping Statement is in accordance with the Irish Anti-Doping Rules which are incorporated into the IAFA rulebook. All members should read the statement and familiarise themselves with its contents.
The statement can be found on in the Resources section of the IAFA website or by clicking on the following link:
The Belfast Trojans won their first ever National Championship with a 16-14 victory over the University of Limerick Vikings in Shamrock Bowl XXVI. The game was played on front of a large crowd at Tallaght Stadium. The decisive score was a field goal kicked with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter.
Game Report:
by Nathan James Sharrocks
It was always going to be a good game. But the Belfast Trojans and the University of Limerick Vikings turned Shamrock Bowl 26 into an all out war, leaving everything on the field and leaving themselves battered and bruised.
The Northern Irish team started brighter, kicking the ball off and then bringing out some power blitzes to shake the Vikings’ offence. And it worked. A forced fumble was recovered by Belfast’s Chris Colvin, who expertly scooped the ball up and ran in it in for six easy points. The first extra point attempt of the game was blocked, leaving the Trojans with a six point lead.
The next drive was a similar story, with the Vikings’ offence unable to move the ball, with Colvin bringing up 4th down by batting down a Marc Ashworth pass intended for Sean Goldrick. A great punt pinned the Trojans inside their own ten set up the UL defence to force a 3 and out of their own.
A sack by Belfast’s Chris Weir on Ashworth seemed to suggest the Trojans’ defence was going to have its way with UL’s offence but the Vikings began to tick. A huge pass down to Goldrick, and some good running by the wide receiver, got them down the Trojans’ 5-yard line before a pitch to running back Adrian Garvey on the option play got them in for the score. A successful PAT gave UL a 7-6 lead.
Proceedings began to get fiery. Dayton McPherson brought down Trojans’ Dave Colvin in the backfield before a pass out to the running back brought up a facemask call against Craig Brouder, giving Belfast an automatic first down.
Into the second quarter and the Trojans’ drive continued, with a big pass by James McKelvey reeled in by Benjamin Carr to bring up first and goal. Colvin pounded the ball up the middle to the one-yard line before McKelvey took the ball on the sneak for the score. Alan Orr would make no mistake with this extra point attempt, giving the Trojans a 13-7 lead.
As the half began to tick down the play opened up. After forcing the Vikings to punt, Belfast tried to air the ball out. McKelvey hit David Richardson with a long pass but then threw a pick on the very next play, with Dayton McPherson there to intercept.
But UL couldn’t capitalise, fumbling the ball on the first play of the drive for Belfast’s Neil Graham to scoop up.
McKelvey dropped back again, with the Trojans looking to extend their lead before half time, but he threw another pick, this time Liam Ryan getting up well to grab the ball to end the half.
After the interval the game got a little cagey, with a succession of exchanges in possession. However the Trojans’ Neil Montgomery, who was awarded the MVP award, took the game into his hands, firstly with a huge run and then continued pounding through the centre.
The running back made it down to the one before a false start pushed them back. Electing to kick a field goal, the Trojans took a 16-14 lead.
With time ticking down the Vikings’ offence came out pumped. A Liam Ryan kick return set them up in great stead from midfield before Ashworth’s passing and Garvey’s strong running came into play.
A James Twomey run got UL down to the 17 yard line but a flag drove them back, making it 3rd and 17. A good pass to Craig Switzer got the Vikings to a 4th and 9 situation. It was all or nothing as UL set up for the field goal. If they didn’t make this the Vikings would lose their 3rd straight Shamrock Bowl. A fake! Garvey stood up to pass but it was batted down by Colvin! Turnover on downs!
The Trojans knelt out the clock before their team flooded the field – Shamrock Bowl Champions!
Shamrock Bowl Photos:
Please click on these links to see photos of the game:
Mayor Cathal King officially launched Shamrock Bowl weekend at the Shamrock Bowl Media Day, which took place at Tallaght Stadium yesterday. IAFA President Greg Loughran, Event Manager Russell Kerley, representatives of both teams and the Mayor made themselves available for press interviews and photographs. Mayor King welcomed the staging of the game in Tallaght Stadium. IAFA President Greg Loughran thanked the Mayor for lending his support to the event. For the first time in the history of the sport in Ireland, two unbeaten teams will contest the Shamrock Bowl, Irish American football’s showpiece event.
The University of Limerick Vikings and Belfast Trojans, both of whom went 8-0 in their divisions, will meet in the postseason for the first time. The two did not meet during the course of the regular season this year but their results against the rest of the IAFL suggest that this could be one of the closest Shamrock Bowls in history. UL Vikings dominated the IAFL South and carried that supremacy into their semi-final against Carrickfergus Knights where they emerged with a comprehensive 63-3 victory. For their part, Belfast Trojans defeated the two-time defending Shamrock Bowl Champions, Dublin Rebels, in a high scoring semi-final finishing on the right side of a 66-38 scoreline. Shamrock Bowl XXVI will be played in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin on Saturday, July 14 2012. Kick-off is 16.00. Tickets are available on the gate, from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and online at www.ticketmaster.ie.
Please click on the following link to view CityWide TV’s report on the Media Day including interviews with the President of the IAFA and the Mayor of South Dublin.
For the first time in the history of the sport in Ireland, two unbeaten teams will contest the Shamrock Bowl, Irish American football’s showpiece event. The University of Limerick Vikings and Belfast Trojans, both of whom went 8-0 in their divisions, will meet in the postseason for the first time.
The two did not meet during the course of the regular season this year but their results against the rest of the IAFL suggest that this could be one of the closest Shamrock Bowls in history.
UL Vikings dominated the IAFL South and carried that supremacy into their semi-final against Carrickfergus Knights where they emerged with a comprehensive 63-3 victory.
For their part, Belfast Trojans defeated the two-time defending Shamrock Bowl Champions, Dublin Rebels, in a high scoring semi-final finishing on the right side of a 66-38 scoreline.
Shamrock Bowl XXVI will be played in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin on Saturday, July 14 2012. Kick-off is 16.00. Tickets are available on the gate, from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and online at www.ticketmaster.ie.
Prices: Adult – €6, Children – €4, Family Ticket (two adults and two kids) – €16
Travel & Parking Advice:
From Eden Quay & Templeogue: 49, 65, 65b
From Eden Quay & Harold’s Cross: 54a
From Ringsend, Dolphin’s Barn & Walkinstown: 50, 56a, 77, 77a
From Dún Laoghaire, Stillorgan & Firhouse: 75
From Ballyfermot & Clondalkin: 76, 76a, 76b
From City West: 50, 65b, 201, 202
From Milltown & Dundrum: 48a to Broadford Walk (terminus), then 75 to Tallaght
From Liffey Valley & Clondalkin: 210
http://www.dublinbus.ie
From Connolly & Heuston Stations
http://www.luas.ie
– Leave M50 at junction 11 (Sign: N81 Tallaght, City Centre)
– From roundabout, exit onto N81 (Sign: Blessington, Tallaght)
– Continue on N81 to the stadium
http://www.aaroadwatch.ie
Patrons are advised to park in The Square (2min walk from stadium) or at the Red Cow Luas Park and Ride.
News, Rules questions & Game Information
With the Shamrock Bowl only 9 days away – a suitable reminder that the IAFL is playing NCAA overtime.
Key points
coin toss at beginning of overtime – options are offence/defence/end of field
series of two possessions from 25 yard line – highest score after series wins
one time out for each team in each period of overtime (unused timeouts do not carry over)
possession ends with a score or offence not making 1st down
after 2 periods of overtime, teams scoring a touchdown must attempt a 2 pt PAT (a 1pt PAT will be ignored)
The Belfast Trojans beat the Dublin Rebels 67-36 to secure their first Shamrock Bowl appearance in the history of the organisation. In a thrilling high-scoring encounter, the Trojans’ ground game completely dominated the Rebels defence as running back David Colvin ran for four touchdowns. He was aided by younger brother Chris, who also capped a stunning display with three touchdowns of his own. First he took a kick off return back for six, before adding a punt return and then completing his hat-trick with an equally impressive interception return. Quarterback James McKelvey also crossed the plane on a trademark Belfast Trojan sneak behind former Amsterdam Admiral lineman Jeroen Egge. Peter Roberts and Ben Carr also scored for the Trojans as the offence fired on all cylinders against the reigning champions. The defence, although shaky early on as the Rebels passing game impressed, tightened up as the game went on, with the highlight being the pick six from Colvin. Belfast will meet the University of Limerick Vikings at Tallaght, the home of Irish soccer champions Shamrock Rovers, on Saturday 14 July. The stage is set for what is sure to be a monumental clash between two undefeated teams in Dublin. It could be a fairytale end to an incredible season for the Green Machine.
Shamrock Bowl Semi-Final Results:
Dublin Rebels 38-66 Belfast Trojans
Carrickfergus Knights 3-63 UL Vikings
For the first time in the history of the sport in Ireland, two unbeaten teams will contest the Shamrock Bowl. The UL Vikings and Belfast Trojans, both of whom went 8-0 in their divisions, won their respective semi-final games to reach Shamrock Bowl XXVI. They were not matched up in inter-divisional play during the regular season, so both reach the final with a perfect record.
The UL Vikings dominated the IAFL South Division and carried that domination into their semi-final clash with a comprehensive 63-3 win over the Carrickfergus Knights.
The Belfast Trojans defeated defending Shamrock Bowl Champions, Dublin Rebels in a high scoring semi-final which finished 66-38 in favour of the Trojans. This is the first time in team history that the Trojans have played in the Shamrock Bowl.
Shamrock Bowl XXVI will be played in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin on Saturday 14th July kick-off 4pm.
