Belfast Trojans 0-60 Belfast Trojans

Admirals offensive line in action against the Trojans.

Venue; Casement Park

Scorers;
1st Quarter: Dave Barry 20yd pass from David Lomasney, Alain Pezeron 2xpt
Barry Rafferty 96yd punt return, Alain Pezeron 2xpt.
2nd Quarter: Alain Pezeron 10yd run
Keith O'Callaghan 19yd run, Alain Pezeron 2xpt, Alain Pezeron 3yd run
3rd quarter: Alain Pezeron 80yd run. Peter Lucey, 40yd interception return, Dominic McHale 2xpt
Shane Galway 30yd run, David Lomasney 2xpt.

The Cork Admirals guaranteed themselves a place in the play-offs with a win against the Trojans. The Trojans began the game by moving into the Admirals half via inside runs and a good pass connection between QB#9 and WR#7. The home side defense stood firm however and a Patrick du Boucher sack ended the visitors drive. On the ensuing series the Admirals moved the ball with a combination of David Lomasney passes and Keith O'Callaghan runs,before Dave Barry caught a corner pass to score the first points of the game.

The home side defense again stood firm on the next Belfast attack,Martin Mulrey and Hugh McBratney giving good effort, and Belfast were forced to punt. Barry Rafferty picked up the ball inside his own 5 yard line, dodged defenders and folowed good blocks by Mulrey and Peter Lucey down the sideline for a 96yd punt return, the longest play in Admirals history.
Great blocking up-front by the offensive line (Chris Gaughan, Rob Hennessey, Paul Buchanan, Conor O'Sullivan and Rich Bos) laid the foundation for the ground game during the second quarter. Alain Pezeron ran in from 10 yards out following a good drive which featured a fourth and five conversion from Lomasney to O'Callaghan.

O'Callaghan added another score, from 19 yards, after Dave Barry set the offense up in the redzone.
The final timed play of the half was a pass interference call in the endzone, giving the Admirals one last chance form the three yard line, which Pezeron converted, 36-0 at halftime.

The Admirals good fortune continued after the break with Pezeron scoring on the first offensive play of the third quarter. The scoring margin dctated that the Trojans had to pass. Peter Lucey picked off a deep pass and ran 40 yards to the endzone.

Shane Galway ran hard during the third quarter and was rewarded with a 30 yard run to score the final points of the day.
The Trojans showed great heart, and battled throughout the game. There were plenty of hard hits on show and also much sportsmanship. They will be a difficult opponent in the playoffs if they secure their place in the next few weeks.

By Cork Admirals reporter.

Dublin Rebels 70-0 Tallaght Outlaws

Venue: National Basketball Arena Sports Grounds, Tallaght

Scorers

1st quarter: REB Barry Flinn, 20 yd pass from Andy Dennehy. (6-0) REB Mike Kresowaty, 15 yd pass from Andy Dennehy, Chris Winton 2xpt (14-0) REB Sam Hodgins 60 yd pass from Andy Dennehy (20-0)

2nd quarter: REB Mike Kresowaty 20 yd pass from Andy Dennehy, Chris Winton 2xpt (28-0) REB Darragh Farrell, 65 yd punt return (34-0) REB Chris Winton 1 yd run and 2xpt (42-0)

3rd quarter: REB Chris Winton 22 yd run and 2xpt (50-0)

4th quarter: REB Sam Hodgins 4 yd run (56-0) REB Conor Ryan, 27 yd pass from Marcus Naylor, Tim White-Flynn 2xpt (64-0) REB Sam Hodgins 52 yd run. (70-0)

The Dublin Rebels defeated the Tallaght Outlaws 70-0 in a game marked by both the quality of the Rebels’ performance and the heart and fight shown by the vanquished Outlaws.

The Rebels scored on the opening drive when WR Barry Flinn plucked a high ball out of the air in the end zone from QB Dennehy. Dennehy then connected with WR Mike Kresowaty on a 15 yd pass and RB Chris Winton converted the 2xpt. Towards the end of the first quarter, RB Sam Hodgins caught a short pass from Dennehy and ran 60 yards for a touchdown, weaving and jinking his way to the endzone. The Rebels’ offence kept the momentum going for the second quarter. Dennehy hit WR Kresowaty again for a 20 yard touchdown pass, with the elusive receiver showing nifty footwork to dazzle the Outlaws’ secondary. RB Winton converted the 2xpt to make the score 28-0. The Outlaws had some good offensive plays and had a series of first downs, largely by running up the middle. RB Dave O’Connor looked very good in his first full game at the position. However, when the Outlaws were forced to punt towards the end of the first half, Rebels DB Darragh Farrell ran the return back 65 yards for the touchdown. The next score came when Chris Winton ran in from a yard out and then converted his touchdown with the 2xpt, leaving the halftime score 42-0.

The Outlaws came out in the second half with a renewed sense of belief and showed a little more aggression. Tiredness was a factor, however, and they could do nothing to stop Chris Winton storming home from 22 yds out for another touchdown, which he converted for the 2xpt. In the fourth quarter, Sam Hodgins ran in from 4 yds for another score and then Rebels’ back-up QB Marcus Naylor hit WR Conor Ryan for a 27 yard touchdown pass. Rebels’ Tim White-Flynn converted the 2xpt. The last score of the game came when, as time expired, Sam Hodgins ran for 52 yards and a touchdown, displaying awesome lateral running ability and just how elusive he is. In truth, the Rebels were at their best today, with great performances on both sides of the football. The game was noted for the sense of fair play, honesty and good, clean football. With a few additions to their squad and a little more experience, the Tallaght Outlaws will be a force in the future. The victory gave the Rebels the IAFL Central Division title and a place in the play-offs.

By Mick Finucane.