Month: March 2013

Weather forces cancellation of March 24th fixtures

Exceptionally wet weather over the past few days coupled with weather warnings for the weekend has led to the cancellation of all the SBC fixtures due to take place on 24th March. The ground staff at all 4 home venues have declared their fields unplayable.

Alternative dates are being explored for all 4 fixtures and an announcement in this regard will be made within the next few days.

Fixtures lost:

Belfast Trojans @ West Dublin Rhinos

Dublin Rebels @ Carrickfergus Knights

Cork Admirals @ Trinity College Dublin

UL Vikings @ UCD

New team forming in Dundalk

The IAFA is pleased to announce that the Dundalk Mavericks have been given formative membership of the association and are working towards fielding a team in 2014. Any interested players, coaches or administrators can contact the club at mavericks@americanfootball.ie

NFL Roadshow Comes to Dublin – tickets available for IAFA members.

The NFL is in Dublin later this month, giving fans the chance to meet up with star players from the Minnesota Vikings and familiar faces from Sky Sports’ NFL coverage.

NFLUK will be hosting a Fan Night on Monday March 25, featuring Sky Sports analyst and leading coach Jeff Reinebold and four starters from the London-bound Vikings – Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph, Pro Bowl offensive tackle Matt Kalil, safety Harrison Smith and center John Sullivan. The evenings will be hosted by Sky Sports’ Neil Reynolds.

Event starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Hogan Mezzanine of Croke Park in Dublin.

Fans can apply for tickets via the NFLUK website – www.nfluk.com

The IAFA has a limited number of tickets available for members – anyone interested in attending should contact their team manager asap.

Dragons win season opener

Dragons (burgandy/gold) battle with Bulldogs (white).
Meath Bulldogs vs Dublin Dragons
March 10th 2013, Kickoff 1pm
Final Result:Bulldogs 00 Dragons 02
Game Report: By Conor O’Driscoll
Photos: Simon Walsh

On a cold, blistery day in the Dragon’s home field in Westmanstown Garda Rugby Club, the Dublin Dragons and the Meath Bulldogs took to the field in a game were defences controlled proceedings with a savage hand. These two teams were well acquainted with each other, and there was no love lost as the hits came fast and early.
The Dragons kicked off and the Bulldogs made a respectable return to around the 25. With a pacy runningback #26 Peter McMahon, Meath attempted to get him to the sideline from the first drive. The Dragon’s defence did an outstanding job getting contain however, and made sure there was simply nowhere for The Bulldog’s #26 McMahon to go. This saw to a quick 3 and out and a Bulldog punt that took a cruel wind and unfortunately went for negaitve yardage.
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Starting on Meath’s 20 yard line, the Dragons went with a fullback dive for a respectable 5 yard gain. Following an offside penalty by the defense, the Dragons were set up on a first and goal at the 10. A series of incompletions and a strip sack recovered by the Bulldogs meant that this great Dragons start went for nought.
Buoyed by their great start, the Dragons’ defense picked up right were they left off, controlling the sidelines, and ensuring the Bulldogs had to resort to an inside running game. This was were the Dragons’ Defensive Tackles showed up big, stuffing this run for little or no gain. Again The Bulldogs attempted to get their pacy runningback to the sideline, with a very similar result. An unnecesary roughness penalty on a facemask, however saw that the Bulldogs got a fresh set of downs. They were unable to capitalize on it however as they immediately went 3 and out.
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With the ball at midefield, the Dragons attempted to get their own running game going, with little success however, as the Bulldogs were able to get great penetration, and set the edge very well versus runs to the sideline. On 3rd down, a 15 yard throw to wide receiver #12 Mick Duncan by QB #15 Conor Murphy, and some strong running after the catch, gave the Dragons a first down at the 15. A flash of elusiveness mixed with power from fullback #44 Timothy Kneen resulted in a 7 yard run. This was followed by a 1 yard gain, setting up 3rd and 2 at the 7. The Dragons elected to try and pitch the ball, but were unable to properly turn the corner, only getting 1 yard. Feeling boistorous with the success of the defense, the Dragons attempted to punch it for a first on 4th down. A well timed middle linebacker blitz came through unblocked and stuffed this run for a loss.
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Much of the second half went, and some very fine punting by Mick Duncan ensured that the Dragons controlled the field position game. They were unable to capitalize as a series of 3 and outs and an interception kept them out of the endzone. Frustrated with their lack of success running the ball, the Bulldogs attempted to air it out with their passing game. Tight coverage by the Dragons seconday ensured that they were restricted to very short gains and incompletions. Indeed, they were lucky not to be picked off, as an interception slipped through Outside Linebacker #18 Aidan Waters’ finger tips. Just before the end of the half, the Bulldogs attempted a play action pass on their own goal line. Unfortunately for them, middle linebacker #96 Conor Tyrell came unblocked on a blitz and sacked the quarterback for a safety. This was to be the only score of the game.
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Fired up after an obviously inspiring half time talk by Head Coach Garland Drake, the Bulldogs penned the Dragons back in their own half for much of the 3rd quarter. Like the Dragons however, they were unable to make superior field position pay offensively. Just before the end of the third quarter, QB Conor Murphy inspired what looked like a momentum swinging drive, with two big completions to wide receiver #80 Graham Dolan, and tight end #45 James Collins. Unfortunately for the Dragons, a myriad of offensive line penalties ensured they stayed mired in midfield.
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The fourth quarter was much like the first 3, with much bluster, but little head. Dragons safety #8 TK Fowler recorded an interception, and followed this up with a fine return on a punt return on the following drive. The Bulldog defense continued its fine showing, and kept the Dragons out. With a minute to go, a big completion by the Bulldogs to their running back put the ball on midfield, and giving Meath hope. There was simply not enough time though, and the clock fizzled out, giving the Dragons their first 11s win in a very long time.

Knights dominate in mud!

Knights Dominate Cowboys in Mud, Wind and Snow The temperature hovered around zero, players were caked in mud, and there was even a freak 3rd quarter snow storm; was this Lambeau Field or Carrick Rugby Grounds? The game had all of the atmosphere of an NFL Playoff game including many devout fans who braved the weather and cheered on the Knights until the final whistle. This game was between the two longest running clubs in Ireland and North Division rivals. The visiting Craigavon Cowboys were confident that this year they had enough to win in Carrick, but the Knights were determined to make a statement to the league at the expense of their rival. And a statement they made, dominating in every facet of the game, striding to a 20-0 victory.

The Knights were paced on the ground by first year players Stephen Kelly and Niall O’Hara, but turned to veterans Darren Montgomery and Spencer McDowell to punch it into the endzone for two touchdowns and one touchdown respectively. O’Hara added two extra points in a brilliant effort but it was Montgomery and Kelly who shared Offensive MVP honours for the game. It would be easy to focus on the success of the Knight’s Offense but it was the Defense that once again set the tone, shutting down the Cowboy attack on their opening drive. The Defensive Line spent most of their day in the Cowboys’ backfield trying to contain the running game of Peter Loughran. Although Loughran had a few big gains, he and the Cowboy Offense spent most of the day in their own half frustrated by Knights’ Defense. With their run game halted, the Cowboys turned to their passing game and connected, but unfortunately for them, Loughran connected with the Knight’s Chris Davidson who, up to his old antics, snagged a big interception earning the game’s Defensive MVP honour.

The Knights seem to have returned to form but they will need that and more when they host the Dublin Rebels on Sunday, 24th March. The Rebels have won the All Ireland title, the Shamrock Bowl, more times than any other club and stole a last second victory on their visit to Carrick in 2012. The Knights will be ready and once again want to invite the community down to the Carrick Rugby Club for Food, Fun and (American) Football on Sunday 24th March; kick-off will be at 1pm.

The Knights would like to thank Carrickfergus Mayor, Billy Ashe, for his presence at Sunday’s game and for his office’s generous sponsorship of the game ball. The Knights are also greatly appreciative of the hospitality and support from the Carrick Rugby Club, particularly the Kitchen and Ground crew.

Cork Admirals moving to CIT.

The Cork Admirals have announced that CIT, Bishopstown, Cork will be their home venue for the 2013 season. The Admirals are returning to this venue after having spent recent seasons in Carrigaline. CIT Stadium hosted Shamrock Bowl XXII in 2008.