CELTIC CLASSIC II

SUNDAY 8th MAY 2005 - 2pm.

IRELAND V ADRIAN COLLEGE, MICHIGAN.

Venue: Greystones RFC, Co. Wicklow.

Coach Jim Lyall & the Adrian College Bulldogs.

Adrian College from Michigan visit Ireland this week to play against an All-Star team from the Irish American Football League at Greystones Rugby Club next Sunday. The game is the second installment of the Celtic Classic - the first being contested between Ireland and John Carroll University last May.

Adrian College are from Michigan, USA and play in Division III of NCAA College football. The play in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) along with several other similar sized universities in the greater Michigan area. Adrian College had a reasonably good 2004 season, finishing with a 60% record. Jim Lyall, a former Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman who has been with the team for the past 15 seasons, coaches them. The strength of the Adrian College team is their defense. They had three defenders nominated for the All-American team including linebacker Taz Wallace who was the top tackler in the entire country in 2004. Their other two All-Americans are defensive end Mike Lewis and cornerback Dan McKeown. The Adrian College offense is primarily run orientated. Their top running back, Chris Clay had over 1,000 yards rushing last season and fullback Chris Wilson led the team in touchdowns. Matt Patterson who was all-conference in 2004 will quarterback them.

The Ireland team will comprise of players selected from the 6 teams which play in the Irish American Football League (IAFL) - Belfast Bulls, Carrickfergus Knights, Cork Admirals, Dublin Dragons, Dublin Rebels and UL Vikings. The Ireland Head Coach is Phil DeMonte who previously coached the Dublin Dragons and Oxford University in the UK. The Ireland starting QB is expected to by Andrew Dennehy who led the Dublin Rebels to victory over the Carrickfergus Knights in Shamrock Bowl XVIII last August. He has a good receiving corps including the IAFL's top receiver in each of the past three seasons - Paul McKillop of the Knights. David Wright of Carrickfergus and Brian Dennehy of the Dublin Rebels will both get some carries. The defense includes several members of the Belfast Bulls team who are currently unbeaten at the top of the 2005 IAFL standings - safety Mark Helferty leads the IAFL with interceptions.

The Celtic Classic game will be an interesting game for the amateur Irish players as they match their skills against American players who train on a daily basis. As with last year, we are expecting many of the Irish players to put up good performances against superior opposition with the outside chance of an upset. The game is being arranged by the Irish American Football League in conjunction with Global Football, a non-profit group who arrange tours for student athletes.

Ireland in action against John Carroll University in Celtic Classic I.