IRELAND 6-69 GREAT BRITAIN BULLDOGS

Saturday 4th Septmber 2004

Moorways Stadium, Derby, England.

SCORERS:

1st Quarter: GB: #88 6yd pass, #2 1xpt (0-7); GB: #11 14yd run, #2 1xpt (0-14); GB: #32 5yd run (0-20).
2nd Quarter: GB: #83 34yd pass, #2 1xpt (0-27); GB: #7 46yd pass (0-33); GB: #24 26yd pass, #85 2xpt (0-41); IRL: Dave Wheeler 7yd run (6-41).
3rd Quarter: GB: #33 5yd run (6-47); GB: #31 19yd run, #2 1xpt (6-54); GB: #2 33yd field goal 6-57).
4th Quarter: GB: #17 50yd punt return (6-63); GB: #17 47yd punt return (6-69).

REPORT:

Great Britain Bulldogs (black) v Ireland (green).

The Ireland team lost its second game of the year with a 6-69 defeat at the hands of the Great Britain Bulldogs in Derby, England. The Bulldogs, who are due to play an official NCAA game against Menlo College (California) in a few days time, looked particularly sharp as they prepare to be the first ever British team to play in a game that counts towards the College Football National Championship in the USA. A lot of observers believed that they looked even better than the John Carroll team that played against Ireland in the Celtic Classic.

Alan O'Carroll chases down a Bulldogs player.

However, the fixture did provide the Ireland team with a chance to debut a number of young and promising players who may be with the National Program for a number of years to come. Shamrock Bowl finalists, Dublin Rebels and Carrickfergus Knights only supplied one player each for this fixture due to the proximity of the national championship game, so the bulk of the Irish team for this fixture came from the Cork Admirals and Dublin Dragons.

The Bulldogs got of to a quick start, scoring 41 unanswered points before Dublin Dragons running back, Dave Wheeler responded for Ireland with a 7 yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs, who kitted up 65 players as opposed to Irelands 30, had the advantage of rotating in fresh players practically every series. The Ireland team got into the game more as they got used to the high tempo, but not sufficient enough to get more scores on the scoreboard.

Ireland's Dave Wheeler (#30) evades the Bulldogs defense.

There were good individual performances from many Irish players. Dave Wheeler of the Dublin Dragons was the Irish MVP, running for several first downs in spite of taking a lot of punishing hits. Alan O'Carroll, Jari Kinnunen, Ciaran O'Sullivan (all Cork Admirals), Chris Mikhael (Belfast Bulls) Eoin Walsh (Dublin Dragons) who had an interception, and Simon Connellan (Dublin Rebels) played well on defense. Robert Olwill of the Dragons started at quarterback. The line included John Collins, Alan Connolly (both Dublin Dragons), Robert Smith, James Lordan and 17 year old Glen Baker (all Cork Admirals). Charlie Wilson of the Bristol Aztecs, Tim Doyle of the Kent Exiles and Chris Cunnane of theBirmingham Bulls were the best of the four overseas based players who made their Irish debuts.

The Great Britain Cheerleaders.