DRAGONS AND ADMIRALS TIE IN TOUGH GAME

Cork Admirals 6-6 Dublin Dragons

Venue: Lucan Community College, Dublin.

Scorers:
1st Quarter: No scoring.
2nd Quarter: Dragons – Diarmuid Noyes 7yd run (0-6). Admirals – Keith O’Callaghan 65yd run (6-6)
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: No scoring.

On The same day as Rugby semi final in Dublin, the Cork Admirals played old rivals Dublin Dragons at their pitch in Lucan, Dublin which was also a charity match for Chernobyl Children’s appeal. The Admiral had the smaller squad but had won the last match last season against the Dragon by 54-0.

The Dragon have spent the off season building up on numbers and re-inventing the tactics , their Offence where now using a Wing T formation which no other team in Ireland has used or seen before.

The plain and simple definition of the Wing T protect the ball and mainly run it down the middle which the Dragons did just that, their passing game was reduced to about four passing attempts that where all trick plays with only two of succeeding and all of ending up with the Quarter Back Johnny Durrad being hit hard by the Admirals D-line Pat Du Boucher, Australian Marcus Gates, Passage’s Jim Lordan and Glanmire’s Chris Gaughan.

The only score where both in second quarter of the match Dragons scored a 7yard touchdown by Diarmuid Noles to give the Dragons a 6-0 lead but an automatic answer by the Admirals with a 65yard run Touchdown by Running Back Keith O’Callaghan to level the score Both defences dominated from that point on with Captain Barry Rafferty and playing well for the Admirals and Lez Connolly and Nick Newby helping the Dragons defense. The Admirals defense forced two turnovers in the second half giving the offence good field position; however the opportunities were not converted. The first ending in a blocked field goal and the second on downs after a penalty out the Admirals offence in long situations.

The game ended in six all tie keeping the Admirals still at third place in the Irish league table which you now check on Aertel Local Sport pages 510.

Dragons QB John Durrad (#10) hads the ball off..

SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE WINS GAME FOR KNIGHTS

Carrickfergus Knights 36-14 Dublin City Univ Saints

Venue: ALSAA, Dublin Airport.

Scorers:
1st Quarter: CAR – David Antuna safety (2-0). DCU – David McMahon 69yd run (2-6). CAR – Paul McKillop 17yd pass from Adam Deveney + 1xpt (9-6).
2nd Quarter: CAR – Ian McIlroy 24yd pass from Deveney (15-6). DCU – Sean Whelan 71yd pass from Conor Buggle + Buggle 2xpt (15-14).
3rd Quarter: CAR – Darren Montgomery 2yd run + McKillop 1xpt (22-14).
4th Quarter: CAR – Adam Deveney 8yd run + McKillop 1xpt (29-14). CAR – David Wright 67yd run + McKillop 1xpt (36-14).

The Carrickfergus Knights won on the road against the DCU Saints thanks to an impressive second half performance following a close first half. Three second half touchdowns and a couple of turnovers were the difference between the two teams. The Knights offense controlled the second half with some of long possessions which kept the Saints tiring defense on the field for long periods.

The Knights defense opened the scoring when linebacker David Antuna tackled a Saints ball carrier in his own endzone for a 2 point safety. The Saints responded straight away with rookie running back David McMahon scoring on a 69 yard breakaway run – his 5th touchdown in only 3 games. The Knights got their first touchdown of the game late in the opening quarter when quarterback Adam Deveney connected with receiver Paul McKillop for a 17 yard touchdown pass which was converted. An interception in the DCU half by Knights linebacker Mark Harris gave the Knights a scoring opportunity early in the second quarter, however, they missed a field goal on 4th down. The Knights defense kept the DCU offense at bay on the next DCU possession and their offense responded with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Deveney to Ian McIlroy to give them a 15-6 lead. The Saints responded with another long touchdown. Quarterback Conor Buggle threw a long pass to receiver Sean Whelan who, after fighting to catch the ball, broke free for a 71 yard touchdown. Buggles conversion made it a 15-14 game at half time.

The second half started off as a defensive affair with both teams being forced to punt. DCU safety Scott Quigley and linebacker Guillaume Boutroix helped stop the Knights offense and linebackers Spencer McDowell and Mark Harris played well for the Knights. As time went by, the Knights offense began to control the game and they scored on a 2 yard run by Darren Montgomery late in the quarter after having put together a long drive which ate up a lot of clock time. The Knights got a break on the ensuing kick-off which they recovered following a muff by the Saints return unit. They then extended their lead thanks to an 8yd touchdown run by Quarterback Deveney. The Knights defense got their second turnover of the game on DCU’s next possession when Derek Dempsey got an interception on the Saints 15 yard line to give the Knights the ball in scoring range. However, the Saints defense played well preventing them from scoring. The Knights put victory beyond doubt on their next possession when running back David Wright broke free for a 67 yard touchdown run. DCU then went to the air in an effort to score quickly, but the Knights defense held and their offense then ran out the clock to win the game.

VIKINGS GUARANTEED WINNING RECORD

Dublin City Marshals 6-22 Univ Limerick Vikings

Venue: UL Sports Grounds, Limerick.

Scorers:
1st Quarter: Vikings - Chris Bassitt 4 yard run (Chris Bassitt 2xPAT). Marshals - Seth Larson 3 yard run
2nd Quarter: Vikings - Michael Toomey 12 yard pass from Jeremiah Sexton (Chris Bassitt 2xPAT)
3rd Quarter: No Scoring
4th Quarter: Vikings - Jeremiah Sexton 45 yard INT return

The Dublin City Marshals arrived in Limerick looking to continue their great start in the IAFL against the Vikings. They looked to get their high powered offense rolling from the very start, and on the very first play of the game, Seth Larson found WR Jess Palmer down the left sideline. However, his pass was underthrown and Vikings CB Colm De Burca stepped in front of Palmer and returned the ball towards the Marshals redzone.
A few plays later the Vikings got the go ahead score as WR/Wing Back Chris Bassitt forced his way in from 4 yards out, and added the two point conversion to give the home side an early lead.

The Marshals weren't phased by going behind early and on their next drive they started to show why their offense is one of the most feared in the league. Larson got into a rhythm connecting with receivers Palmer and Darien Bell, and the Marshals running back Dan Breslin broke off some great runs to put them in scoring range. With the Marshals inside the 5 yard line, and the Viking defense looking for the pass, QB Larson sneaked up the middle put them on the board. The conversion failed as he was sacked whilst looking to connect with Darien Bell in the endzone.

Both teams continued to move the ball well but neither defense would break and both teams were forced to punt a number of times. The Vikings eventually got moving through good running from Chris Bassitt and fullback Seamus Hogan, and eventually found themselves within scoring range. After a couple of Chris Bassitt runs, QB Jeremiah sexton found WR Michael Toomey open in the corner of the endzone for his second touchdown catch of the season. Once again, Bassitt added the two.

The Marshals, determined to reduce the deficit before half time, forced a turnover as safety Jess Palmer picked off Vikings QB Jeremiah Sexton to stop a Vikings drive. The Dublin City offense then marched down the field with time running out in the first half. Larson connected with Palmer for a big gain and Breslin broke free from the Vikes defense on a number of occasions to edge closer to the Limerick endzone. With 1st and goal from the 4 yard line, the Vikes defense came up big.

After a couple of run plays, Larson looked for Bell in the endzone on 3rd down and found him, but CB Sean De Paor delivered a hit to knock the ball from his hands before he could come down with it. Then, on 4th down with Larsson saw Mark Davy open in the back of the endzone only for it to be batted down by CB Daniel Smith, and the Vikings went into the locker room up 16-6 at half time.

Both teams came out fired up for the second half, and despite being able to move the chains, neither team find a way to make a breakthrough. The Vikings secondary were able to contain the Vikings passing game to an extent, with CB Daniel Smith and safety Liam Ryan playing well in coverage whilst DE Alex Smith and LB Jeremiah Sexton disrupted the Marshals backfield. The Marshals most dangerous offensive weapon seemed to be Breslin who had over 100 yards in the game and looked a threat to break a big run every time he touched the ball, gaining a lot of yards after contact.

Midway through the 4th quarter however, the Marshals hopes of coming back were dashed as LB Jeremiah Sexton picked off a larson pass intended for Bell at the halfway line and returned it all the way for 6 to seal the Vikings victory.

It was a great team performance by both sides, although RB Dan Breslin and WR Jess Palmer stood out for the Marshals, whilst CB Daniel Smith and DE Alex Smith were best for Limerick. The Vikings (4-1-1) could clinch a playoff spot with a victory against Cork in their final home game of the season next week