Game Report by The Craigavon Cowboys:
The Craigavon Cowboys travelled to the ALSAA Sports Club in Dublin to take on the Dublin Dragon in their season opener for the 2010 IAFL season. The Cowboys have returned to full IAFL status following two successful years in the Development Eights (DV8) League.
Winning the toss, the Cowboys elected to receive the ball and started with their tried and trusted combination of Bobby Murray #40 lead blocking for his son John Murray #34. However, the Offense was finding the Dragons Defense and the adjustment to the 11 a side game a little difficult and the drive stalled. The Dragons also found the Cowboys Defense very tough and were forced to punt on their first drive. Both sides struggled to move the ball on Offense and the first quarter ended scoreless.
The second quarter saw a change of fortunes and the Cowboys quickly moved the ball to the five yard line where Bobby Murray punched the ball in for six and kicked, Shane Bell#46 converted the extra point. Seven to zero at the half and the game was still in the balance.
The second half resumed with the Dragons taking the ball downfield quickly to the Cowboys 20 yard line but the drive stalled with the Dragons being forced back out of field goal range due to a number of sacks from Linebacker Chris Harper #52 and Defensive End, Marty Devlin #53. The Cowboys Offense took heart from the strong stand of their Defense and drove the ball 50 yards downfield for Quarterback, Michael Mc Gregor #5 to carry in from 10 yards out for a touchdown and again Shane Bell converted.
Following another turnover, the Cowboys again moved the ball steadily and ended the drive with a 30 yard touchdown pass from Mc Gregor to Conor Fearon #81. The conversion from Bell made the score 21-0. Still in the third quarter and behind by three scores, the Dragons refused to quit and finally put together a scoring drive together though the point after was missed.
The Cowboys scored again early in the fourth quarter and although the point after kick was blocked, quick thinking by the holder, Chris Bondi #16 picked up the lose ball and carried in for two points. With time starting to run out, the Dragons again fought hard for a scoring drive and converted their extra point to make the score 29-13. An attempted onside kick was retrieved by Conor Fearon and the Cowboys ran out the clock.
The Dragons can take heart in a fine performance and their never say die attitude won the respect of the Craigavon team who take their victory to a home game against the Carrickfergus Knights at the Brownlow Sports Campus on Sunday 28th March, kick off at 1pm.
Game Photos
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