University of Limerick Vikings

The UL Vikings are the reigning Shamrock Bowl champions and this year are going for three in a row. They won Shamrock Bowl XXII against a strong Dublin Rebels team and although much of the team moved on after graduation, this year's rookie contribution and improvement by returning veterans has led them back to the Shamrock Bowl. The Vikings play a smash-mouth style of football with an “establish the run” philosophy on offense. With their devastating backfield partnership the offensive stars are Adrian Garvey and James Twomey. Both players are big, strong, mobile backs and will be difficult to stop behind the strong Vikings offensive line. Marc Ashworth is a threat in the pass game and, this year, has had his most productive season ever. Expect him to come up with some clutch catches.

The Vikings have built their previous two championship teams on strong defense and this year is no different. There has been a lot of change since 2008 but the team is unarguably a stronger unit. The defensive line is one of the team's greatest assets with plenty of pressure coming off the edges and inside runs being eaten up. The linebackers are led by Brendan McCarthy and are a mobile and hard hitting bunch. Seamus Hogan is the standout in a strong secondary that, although it's had its troubles during the year, has ironed out any issues in schemes and assignments.

Vikings Players to Watch
UL Vikings Head Coach and “IAFL Coach of the Year 2008” Ciaran O’Sullivan is a hugely experienced operator in the IAFL. He has playing experience with a number of clubs and previously coached with the Cork Admirals. At the start of the ’09 season, which was just his second year with the club, he was promoted to Head Coach and lived up to all expectations. Ciaran, along with assistant Head Coach Les Fleming, have improved each and every player in the club and instilled great work practices in the team.

Offense
36 Adrian Garvey, last year’s Shamrock Bowl MVP, is a running-back that combines crushing power with speed and elusive moves. He has amassed a huge amount of yards in his few short years with the club and will look to improve on that total in the final. He is always a threat to go the distance with ball in hand.
13 Marc Ashworth, after developing with the club as a wide receiver, has transformed into one of the best tight ends in the country. Marc is equally at ease in the run game and pass game. He is often used to block at the point of attack and is a useful check-down option in the pass game.
57 Jamie O’Brien, as one of the real veterans on the team, is the undisputed leader of the offensive line at centre. Jamie has great football intelligence and communicates well with the rest of the line, ensuring they function well as a unit. Jay has come up against the best of the IAFL and handled them all.
26 James Twomey is the Vikings’ full-back. He is a punishing blocker in the run game, hitting the point of attack with no regard for either his, or anyone else’s, well-being. He is solid in pass protection, specialising in picking up blitzing linebackers effectively. Twomey is also a threat with ball in hand, picking up great yardage this season with his deceptive straight line speed.

Defense
87 Brendan McCarthy is one of the best linebackers in the league. He is a big hitter that has the range to play sideline to sideline but that can also tackle and cover well. He has made many big plays this year, turning the momentum of several vital games. He will look to continue that trend: big plays win playoff games...
52 John Mullen is one of the rookies that have produced the goods to fill in for last year’s missing players. John has contributed from the defensive line and linebacker positions. He is a strong and pacy athlete, rumored to have the power of teleportation. John will always be found around the ball carrier.
2 Seamus Hogan has been having another great season with the Vikings, forcing turnovers in nearly every game so far this season. He is a physical player who lines up at corner or safety. After an MVP performance in Shamrock Bowl XXI, Hogan was injured early in Shamrock Bowl XXII. He intends to return to previous form in this year’s final.
8 Glen Carr will feature on the Vikings’ defense in the middle of the line. Glen is an imposing physical presence that will demand to be double-teamed for the duration of the game. Failure to do so will result in him causing havoc in the backfield, although this will probably happen regardless. Glen’s hard work in the trenches makes the Vikings linebackers’ jobs easier.

Dublin Rebels

The Rebels are owned by Andrew Flynn, Fergal O' Hanlon and Marcus Naylor. The Flynn / Naylor partnership has been at the helm since the club was founded in 1995. In 2004 they announced the addition of Fergal O' Hanlon to the management assuming the role of General Manager in 2009, Fergal is also a founder member of the club and all three are currently players.

In 2007, the addition of Henry Wasserman as Head Coach, with over 20 years' football experience, having played semi-professional football for the Inglewood Blackhawks, made the perfect addition to already the most experienced coaching staff in the IAFL. Head Coach/Offensive Coach Andy Dennehy has coached with the Rebels since 2003 and Defensive Coach Stephen Archibald, a former GB Bulldogs cornerback, has many years of experience in Ireland and UK. Since the reformation of the IAFL league in 2001 the Rebels have won 5 League Titles, 5 Shamrock Bowls and 2 Pan European Championships. The Dublin Rebels are the first team ever to represent Ireland in an EFAF Tournament (European Federation of American Football) The Atlantic Cup, where they stamped a major mark on European American Football and are also the only team ever to have won the League title and Shamrock Bowl with a perfect season (10-0, in 2006). The Dublin Rebels are the most successful American football team ever in Ireland.

Offense
Quarterback 16 Andy Dennehy leads the Rebels' balanced offense, which is as dangerous on the ground as it is through the air and outscored all other teams in the 2009 regular season.

The double-pronged running attack of 8 Sam Hodgins and former Vienna Viking 28 Florian Heiss is difficult to contain, especially with the Rebels' Offensive Line - the most experienced in the league - opening running lanes.

The aerial attack is headed up by wide receivers 88 Mike Kresowaty, who scooped the Offensive MVP award in the recent EFAF Atlantic Cup in Brussels, and the 6'6" behemoth that is 81 Barry Flinn.

Defense
The spiritual leader of the Rebels' defense is undoubtedly middle linebacker 51 Ross McCooey, now in his fifth year with the Rebels, who patrols the area behind the defensive line anchors, 55 Steve Walsh, 22 Stephen Archibald and 45 Andrew Flynn.

The Rebels' defensive backs have caught over 20 interceptions so far this season, thanks to the speed, agility and sure hands of linebacker 12 Brian Carter, free safety 80 Marcus Naylor and cornerbacks 35 Eoin Daly and 25 Dave McKeating.

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