IRISH AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – 14 AUGUST 2005.

SEMI-FINALS WEEKEND

REBELS & BULLS TO PLAY IN SHAMROCK BOWL XIX

The Belfast Bulls will play the Dublin Rebels in Shamrock Bowl XIX at the Grafton Arena in Belfast on Sunday 28th August.

CARRICKFERGUS KNIGHTS 20-26 DUBLIN REBELS

Venue: Greystones RFC, Co. Wicklow.

Scorers:
1st Quarter: CAR: Ian McIlroy 8yd pass from Adam Devenney (6-0).
2nd Quarter: DUB: Brian Dennehy 8yd run (6-6); DUB: Barry Flinn12yd pass from Andrew Dennehy (6-12).
3rd Quarter: DUB: Sam Hodgins 7yd run, Fearghal O’Donnchu 2xpt (6-20); DUB: Sam Hodgins 11yd run (6-26).
4th Quarter: CAR: Clinton McDowell 56yd pass from Devenney, David Wright 2xpt (14-26); CAR: Colin Esler 25yd pass from Devenney (20-26).

Defending Champions, the Dublin Rebels defeated the Carrickfergus Knights in their Shamrock Bowl semi-final to qualify for their third Shamrock Bowl in a row. The game was one of the most entertaining of the season as both teams played well and the result was not determined until the dying seconds of the game. The Knights opened the scoring mid way through the first quarter when Adam Devenney led the team downfield and threw a touchdown pass to receiver Ian McIlroy. Devenney was making his first ever start in the IAFL in place of the injured Stephen McDowell who has started every Knights game over the past 5 years. The Rebels responded almost immediately by putting together a solid drive which ended with a touchdown by Brian Dennehy on an 8 yard sweep. Momentum shifted in the Rebels favour on the knights ensuing drive when defensive back Darragh Farrell intercepted the Knights at mid field to give the Rebels excellent field position. The Rebels took advantage of the turnover and after picking up a first down scored on a 12 yard pass from Andrew Dennehy to rookie receiver Barry Flinn. The Rebels defense, led by safety Marcus Naylor and defensive end Paul Smyth played well for the remainder of the second quarter, stopping the Knights on each of their two remaining drives. The Rebels got another chance to score just inside the two minute warning. After getting into scoring range through the running of Dennehy and catches by Conor Ryan and Fearghal O’Donnchu, they were stopped when Knights intercepted them on the goal line.

The Rebels started off the second half as the stronger team, however the Knights began to come back at them as time passed by. The Knights had the first scoring chance of the third quarter. After driving downfield with passes to Paul McKillop and Spencer McDowell, they were intercepted on the goal line by the Rebels Steve Archibald. Again the Rebels capitalised on the turnover. After picking up some first downs, rookie running back Sam Hodgins broke free and scored on a 28 yard run. Archibald caused another fumble on the Knights next possession by recovering a Knights fumble at mid field, but the Rebels were stopped on the ensuing possession. The Rebels got another turnover almost immediately when cornerback Patrick Quinn intercepted a pass on the Knights 20 yard line. Like with the previous interception, the Rebels capitalised on the turnover, and Sam Hodgins got his second touchdown of the day on an 11 yard run to give the Rebels what seemed like a comfortable 26-6 lead with one quarter to play. The fourth quarter started with both teams exchanging fumbeles – Paul Wheldon for the Rebels and Spencer McDowell for the Knights. The Knights then embarked on a comeback. They scored quickly on a 56 yard touchdown pass from Devenney to Clinton McDowell. The Knights defense then stopped the Rebels on their next possession and scored again when, after picking up some first downs through full back Bobby Murray, Devenney hit receiver Colin Esler for another touchdown to make the score 26-20 with just over two minutes to play. However the Rebels sealed the game with two first down runs by Brian Dennehy, thus running out the clock to give them a memorable 26-20 victory.

CORK ADMIRALS 0-31 BELFAST BULLS

Venue: Deramore Park, Belfast.

Scorers(all Bulls):
1st Quarter: Chris McKeown 34yd pass from James McKelvey (0-6); James Kay 27yd field goal (0-9).
2nd Quarter: Chris Weir 2yd run, Charlie Campalani 2xpt (0-17); Erin Wagner 3yd run + 2xpt (0-25).
3rd Quarter: Erin Wagner 8yd run (0-31).
4th Quarter: No scoring.

The Belfast Bulls earned a place in their first ever Shamrock Bowl with a comfortable 31-0 victory over the Cork Admirals at Deramore Park. The Bulls effectively sealed the win before halftime with three touchdowns and a field goal and some excellent defensive play. The Bulls opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 34 yard pass from James McKelvey to Chris McKeown. Their defense, which included safety Mark Helferty and Mark Smith played well stopping the Admirals on their next drive. The Bulls got onto the scoreboard again just before the end of the quarter thanks to a 27 yard field goal kick by James Kay. The Bulls continued in the second quarter much as they played the first. After driving into scoring range, Chris Weir got a touchdown on a 2 yard goal line run. Erin Wagner got his first of two touchdowns on the Bulls next drive when he scored on a 3 yard run to give the Bulls a comfortable lead at the half.

The Bulls opened the third quarter by stopping the Admirals and driving into scoring range. Erin Wagner got his second touchdown of the day on an 8 yard run to give the Bulls a 31-0 lead. The remainder of the game was dominated by both defense with Paul Buchanan and Carl Barrett playing well for the Admirals. The Admirals did manage to pick up some yardage via runs by Keith O’Callaghan and Marcus Gates, but the Bulls defense played well enough to ensure the game ended in a shut out.

SHAMROCK BOWL XIX

Shamrock Bowl XIX, the Championship game of the Irish American Football League will feature the Belfast Bulls and Dublin Rebels (see earlier game report). The game will be played in the Grafton Arena, home of Belfast Harlequins RFC on Sunday 28th August at 2pm. As with recent Shamrock Bowls, it is being organised as a family event and will include many extras such as live game day commentary, DJ, food and drink.