Report by Gary Sommerville

The Dublin Rebels renewed friendships with cross town rivals the West Dublin Rhinos in Santry this past Sunday to kick off their 2013 league campaign. This season sees the Rebels compete in the Shamrock Bowl Conference North Division as a result of the IAFL’s restructured league format which will pit them against other hardy adversaries the Belfast Trojans, Craigavon Cowboys and Carrickfergus Knights. Having said farewell to multi-year veterans and IAFL legends last summer, the Rebels looked to rebuild in the offseason and rebuild they did, with several rookies starting on both sides of the pigskin for the 7-time national champions.

In typical Irish football conditions, sunny one minute and hailstones the next, the Rebels received the opening kick-off and its revamped offense lead by QB Andy Dennehy took to the field against a Rhinos D that had been boosted by several new additions itself. Nobody likes dropping something; on the football field, in the prison showers, not ever, so the slippery conditions forecasted a heavy diet of the run game. This was provided in large portions by the white Bo Jackson, running back Simon “Bo Mackson” Mackey who pounded the rock up the gut to keep the chains moving on the Rebels first drive. However, experience showed within the Rhinos defense which shut down any offensive momentum from the home team who came away with empty pockets.

The Rhinos have been maintaining a youth program over the years and this has stood to them as their offense took to the field marshalled by their young QB who came through this system. However a defense lead by linebacker and Prince Albert tribute act Steve Walsh is enough to rattle any QB and the nerves showed as the Rebels defense halted any progress by the Rhinos run-option game. The first TD of the day was to come behind impressive O-line blocking out wide from Mackey who claims to have never touched a weight in his life but resembled Quasimodo with a hump of players on his back as he crossed the plain to open the Rebels 2013 account. The 2-point conversion was successful to put the Rebels up 8-0 early doors at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was much of the same after a nifty grab from rookie receiver Adam Geere on third down, Mackey broke away down the Rhinos sideline with a few Heismans to the face of defenders for good measure to add his second score of the day. A failed 2 pointer saw the Rebels streak to a quick fire 14-0 head start with ticks on the clock left in the first half. The Rhinos run game began to grind out yards and push the Rebels D-line back into their own half but a wayward pass under pressure by the Rhinos QB was picked off by defensive back Kevin Fitzgerald and left the Rebels with good field position. Again the ground game got the gears grinding and picked up solid yardage with rookie blindside Mike McGuire springing some big blocks on the edge. Despite not being at the level of the legendary Rebels War Pigs just yet, it was clear that these new piglettes were starting to suck on the teeth that is Andy Dennehy’s offensive philosophy. And it was its mother who scored the Rebels third TD when the veteran QB squeezed somehow between the arse cheeks of his centre and guard from the 1 yard line to avenge his failed attempt against the Rhinos last year.

The half time break saw the home team lead the visitors 22-0 in a refreshing display of power football from the Rebels. The second half was not to be the same however as a lacklustre display from both sides saw no points added to the board. There were however some big plays for the considerably large crowd in attendance including a diving Polamalu-esque diving interception from prodigal son D-lineman Gar McDonald on his return to the Rebels. Rotations on both sides saw rookies get reps in the final minutes and the Rhinos still had a chance to break the goose egg but the Rebels D turned over the ball on downs and knelt out the clock.

The win saw the Rebels advance to a 1-0 record and top the SBC North alongside the reigning champions the Belfast Trojans who will meet each other in Santry on March 10th in what looks to be a crucial game in deciding the fate of the SBC North winners. The win was also historic as it marked the 100th Dublin Rebels win in the IAFL, the first team to do so since its reformation in 2001.

Scores:
1st Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2 point conversion successful) 0-8
2nd Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2 point conversion unsuccessful) 0-14
Run by A.Dennehey (2 point conversion successful) 0-22
Half time score: 0-22

3rd Quarter
No scores
4th Quarter
No Scores
Full time score: West Dublin Rhinos 0 Dublin Rebels 22

Report by David Richardson
Image by Dave Bradshaw

The Belfast Trojans kicked off the 2013 season with a 46-13 victory over the Craigavon Cowboys.

Quarterback James McKelvey threw for four touchdowns, while Alex Newton also ran for two touchdowns and defensive Captain Chris Mikhael returned an interception to the endzone.

It was the Cowboys who opened the scoring however, elusive quarterback Peter Loughran broke a string of would-be tacklers to cross for a touchdown.

That was the shot in the arm the Trojans needed, as the offence marched down the field thanks to some steady running by Newton and new boy Gary Carr.

The drive was capped off as McKelvey found Richardson in the corner of the endzone to level the scores.

The Trojans were ahead soon after following a special teams mix up from the Cowboys giving the ball back to the Belfast offence. Newton went in from 5 yards out to make it 13-6.

Newton would get his second of the game as he returned a punt return 70 yards, following another strong showing by the Belfast defence.

Colvin made a smart grab to extend the lead in the second quarter, before Mikhael jumped an out route and took the interception back for a touchdown, to all but kill the game as a contest at the half.

Substitutions disrupted the flow of the game in the second half, but McKelvey soon found Richardson again, putting a deep ball on the money for their second connection.

Following a brilliant 40-yard touchdown dash from Chris McKeown, the committed Cowboys unit also managed to find the endzone again before the final whistle, as Loughran again broke some shoddy tackling and crossed for six.

Today’s Shamrock Bowl Conference Results:

SBC North:

Belfast Trojans 46 – 13 Craigavon Cowboys

West Dublin Rhinos 0-22 Dublin Rebels

SBC South:

UL Vikings 11-0 UCD

Todays UCD @ Trinity College game has been postponed due to the pitch being declared unplayable due to recent adverse weather. The game will be rescheduled shortly.

Two IAFL-1 clubs have announced that they will be playing their league fixtures in new venues in 2013.

The Dublin Dragons will be playing all their home games at the Garda Rugby Club in Westmanstown in west Dublin.

The Waterford Wolves will be playing their home games at the RSC in Waterford City – best known for hosting Waterford Utd League of Ireland soccer fixtures.

Earlier this week, the DCU Saints informed the IAFL that they will not be in a position to play competitive football in 2013. Consequently, the team is now withdrawn from the Shamrock Bowl Conference.

The SBC South schedule has been adjusted to give each team the required number of games. There will be no relegation from the SBC in 2013 provided all teams adhere to minimum requirements and play their full league schedule. SBC North, IAFL-1 and the play-offs remain as originally scheduled.