2005 IAFL Season Preview.

The 2005 IAFL season kicks off on February 20th when the Dublin Rebels visit the UL Vikings. Most of the remaining teams will start their seasons in March. All six teams who completed the 2004 season have returned. Half the players in last year’s league were under the age of 21, so this year is expected to be more competitive as the younger squads gain experience and try to catch up with established teams such as the Dublin Rebels and Carrickfergus Knights.

Dublin Rebels:
2004 record: 9-1, Shamrock Bowl Champions.
Head Coaches: Brian Dennehy, Fearghal O’Donnchu.
The Dublin Rebels have won the last two Shamrock Bowls. They have an experienced squad and have not lost any key players from last years championship side. Again, they will be coached by Brian Dennehy and Fearghal O’Donnchu. Brian Dennehy has led the IAFL in scoring in each of the past two seasons and there are no signs of this vastly experienced veteran slowing down. His younger brother Andrew Dennehy, now in his 5th season, will again start at quarterback and has excellent game management and play calling skills. Last year’s breakout player, receiver Carl Faichney and tight end Simon Mackey both have good hands and will be Andrew Dennehy’s principal targets. Over the years, the Rebels have developed a good balanced offense capable of moving the ball on the ground or in the air. The Rebels have a very aggressive defense led by linebacker Kenny Hudson and anchored by defensive linemen Alan Kelly and Steve Wilson. National team squad members, Darragh Farrell, Darren O’Toole and Steve Archibald provide strength in the secondary. The Rebels will again be the team to beat in 2005 as they seek their third consecutive Shamrock Bowl title.

Carrickfergus Knights:
2004 Record: 7-1-2, Shamrock Bowl finalists.
Head Coach: Mark Harris.
The Carrickfergus Knights came very close to winning last year’s championship, only losing by 2 points in the Shamrock Bowl. They are the only team to have beaten the Dublin Rebels in a regular season game in each of the past two seasons. Like the Rebels, they have a stable experienced squad and do not appear to have lost any key players during the off-season. Mark Harris returns as Head Coach. The Knights have the most potent passing game in the IAFL. Quarterback Stephen McDowell is the leagues best passer and Paul McKillop is the leagues best receiver. McKillop is complemented by fellow receivers Paul McKillop and William Shaw and tight end Spencer McDowell. Former Craigavon fullback, Bobby Montgomery has given the Knights an inside running game along with offensive linemen Terry Lynch and Paul Braniff. On defense, Mark Pollock is the IAFLs best defensive back. The Knights have some fast linebackers including Scott Robinson. Veteran Robert Clugston anchors their defensive line which also features Darren Montgomery. The Knights are expected to be major contenders for the Shamrock Bowl title this season.

Belfast Bulls:
2004 Record: 4-1-4, 3rd place in league.
Head Coach: Rod Thompson.
The Belfast Bulls were the surprise package of the 2004 season. In only their first year playing a full league season, they came third in the league. The team has improved very rapidly over the past year as they got more experienced. This year they are expected to be able to challenge the Rebels and Knights for a place in the Shamrock Bowl. Ex-NCAA player, Rod Thompson, who was unavailable for the start of last season, is Bull’s the Head Coach. The Bulls have a very strong and athletic defense. Mark Helferty, James Kay and Warren Thompson will play in the secondary. Gareth Millar, Chris Weir and Joe Sirichas are all strong linebackers and defensive end Erin Wagner provides a good pass rush. On offense, their strength is the offensive line which, led by Eoghan Murphy, is the largest in the IAFL. Ireland quarterback, Kevin Downs will begin the season as the starting quarterback and Dave Lemon gives them a solid running game.

Dublin Dragons:
2004 Record: 3-6, 4th place in league.
Head Coach: Phil DeMonte.
In spite of the losing record, the Dragons, under the tutelage of National Coach, Phil DeMonte were much improved last season. Their young squad, more than half of whom are teenagers, is expected to get better in 2005 with experience. Sources say that the Dragons have recruited hard during the off-season and have added some new faces including Mario Bukovean of the Czech Republic who has German League experience. Other new faces include Diarmuid Noyes, Dave Collins, Nick Newby and approx. 15 rookies. Also, young National Team offensive lineman Glen Baker joins from the Cork Admirals. Their best offensive weapon is slippery tailback Dave Wheeler. Rob Olwill and John Durrad are battling for the starting quarterback position and National team receiver Robert Popciobotartepelus is their top receiver. Young offensive linemen John Collins and Steve Walsh are improving. Veterans Charlie Kranz and Lez Connolly are solid linebackers and Franck Hupke will again lead the secondary. One of the most important additions to the Dragons for 2005 is ex-Dublin Tornadoes & Ireland legend Phil McGowan who is now on the coaching squad.

Cork Admirals:
2004 Record: 3-5, 5th place in league.
Head Coach: John Stokes.
Like the Dragons, the young Cork Admirals squad is expected to be more competitive as they begin their second full season of league football. John Stokes returns as Head Coach. The Admirals have a large offensive line which includes Robert Hennessey, Robert Smith, Paul Orr and James Lordan, who at 16 year old last season, became Ireland’s youngest ever International player. Running backs Keith O’Callaghan and Sam Kidd are both strong running backs and 20 year old John Kenny enters his second full season as the starting quarterback. Linebacker Alan O’Carroll is probably the best in the IAFL and leads the Admirals defense. Barry Rafferty returns at safety. Carlos Barrett, Trevor McConnell and Ciaran O’Sullivan are also key members of the defense. This year, the Admirals are hoping to close the gap between them and the top teams in the league.

University of Limerick Vikings:
2004 Record: 0-8, 6th place in league.
Head Coach: Diarmuid Haugh.
The UL Vikings returned to the full league last season after a break of 1 year. On their return, they decided to concentrate on developing Irish based players who would be with the team for a number of years rather than relying on American transfer students. Being a university team, they have a young squad, mostly between the ages of 18 and 22 years old. Their most exciting player is WR/S/KR Liam Ryan, who scored against John Carroll University in last years Celtic Classic. Damien Laffan and Niall Moore are also good receivers. Their defense features two strong defensive linemen, Kieran Coen and Graham Stack. Padraig Coleman is the pick of their linebackers. Erik Butzek will start at running back. The vast majority of players on last year’s squad were rookies, so they should be stronger this season. As with previous years, the Vikings schedule is condensed into the first half of the IAFL season as the colleges break in May.

Other Teams:
New teams are being developed in Galway and North Dublin. Neither of them is ready to play league football in 2005, but interested players should contact the IAFL at secretary@iafl.info for further details.