SEMI-FINAL GAME REPORTS

Univ. of Limerick Vikings 30-25 Carrickfergus Knights

Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus.

Scorers:
1st quarter: CAR: Adam Devenney 1yd run (0-6).
2nd quarter: UL: Daniel Levy 13yd run (6-6)
3rd quarter: CAR: Ian McIlroy 55yd pass from Adam Devenney, McKillop 1xpt (6-13); UL: Liam Ryan 1yd run, Levy 2xpt (14-13); UL: Glen Carr 40yd int return, Levy 2xpt (22-13).
4th quarter: CAR: Spencer McDowell 8yd pass from Devenney (22-19); UL: Daniel Levy 44yd run + 2xpt (30-19); CAR: David Wright 4yd run (30-25).

The University of Limerick Vikings upset the semi-final seedings by winning away to the Carrickfergus Knights thus earning themselves a place in Shamrock Bowl XX. Running back Daniel Levy had over 100 yards rushing for the Vikings. The key play of the game turned out to be a 40 yard interception return for a touchdown by Glen Carr at the end of the third quarter.

In contrast to the exciting second half, the first half of the game was a defensive affair. Both defenses played well, particularly Robert Clugston, Mark Harris and Rob Valesquez for the Knights and Daniel Smith, David Wallek and Kieran Stack for the Vikings. The Carrickfergus Knights took the lead mid way through the first quarter when Adam Devenney sneaked in from 1 yard out after the Knights gained a first and goal thanks to the running of David Wright and Darren Montgomery. The Knights had another scoring chance early in the second quarter, but we stopped on 4th down by the Vikings defense. The Knights appeared to have a better first half than the Vikings, but the Vikings tied the score with just over two minutes to go before half time when running back Daniel Levy scored on a 13 yard run.

The Knights came out strong early in the third quarter. On their first possession, they started deep inside their own half and after picking up some first downs, Devenney hit wide receiver Ian McIlroy for a 55 yard touchdown pass to give his team the lead. However, the Vikings responded with a touchdown of their own. A breakaway run by Daniel Levy got them a first and goal after which slot back Liam Ryan carried the ball in from 1 yard out. A two point conversion gave the Vikings a 1 point lead. The remainder of the third quarter and start of the fourth quarter featured a series of interceptions – two for each team. Andy Neill had two interceptions for the Knights and Daniel Smith and Glen Carr had one each for the Vikings. However, Carrs interception was the key play of the game as he returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. After the Carr score the Knights responded with a solid offensive drive culminating with an 8 yard touchdown pass to tight end Spencer McDowell to pull back within 3 points of the Vikings. On the Vikings next possession, quarterback Chris Bassitt, filling in for regular starter Jeremiah Sexton, helped get the Vikings inside the Knights half and Levy broke free on a run up the middle to score a spectacular touchdown from 44 yards out which he also converted to give the Vikings an 11 point lead. However, the Knights were not finished. On the ensuing drive, they moved the ball through Wright and McDowell. Wright scored on a 4 yard run to bring them back within one score of winning with just over three minutes remaining. The Knights then tried an on-side kick which was recovered by the Vikings. The Vikings were then stopped and the Knights got the ball back for one last scoring attempt. However, with less than a minute to play, Smith got another interception to seal the win for the Vikings.

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Cork Admirals 22-60 Dublin Rebels

Sportslink, Santry, Dublin.

Scorers:
1st quarter: DUB: Simon Mackey 8yd run + 2xpt (0-8); COR: Keith O'Callaghan 26yd run + 2xpt (8-8); DUB: Carl Faichney 51yd pass from Andrew Dennehy + 2xpt (8-16).
2nd quarter: DUB: Carl faichney 13yd pass from Andrew Dennehy + 2xpt (8-24); DUB: Conor Ryan 20yd pass from Dennehy + 2xpt (8-32); COR: Hugh McBratney 8yd pass from Lomasney + 2xpt (16-32); DUB: Sam Hodgins 80yd kick off return + 2xpt (16-40).
3rd quarter: DUB: Sam Hodgins 9yd run (16-46); COR: Keith O'Callaghan 45yd run (22-46); DUB: Carl Faichney 22yd pass from Dennehy (22-52).
4th quarter: DUB: Simon Mackey 10yd run (22-58).

Defending Shamrock Bowl Champions, the Dublin Rebels will get an opportunity to win a record breaking 4th consecutive Shamrock Bowl thanks to victory over the Cork Admirals in the semi-finals. The Rebels offense was firing on all cylinders with receiver Carl Faichney scoring three touchdowns and Sam Hodgins and Simon Mackey scoring 2 each as the Rebels scored a total of 8 touchdowns.

Both offenses had good first quarters. Simon Mackey got the Rebels first touchdown on an 8 yard run early in the game. The Admirals then responded with running back Keith O'Callaghan breaking free on a 26 yard run. The quarter finished with Carl Faichney hauling in a long 51 yard pass from Andrew Dennehy, the first of his three scores. The Rebels stopped the Admirals on their next possesson. Then Faichney got his second score – from 13 yards out – to give the Rebels a two score lead. The Rebels continued with the passing game and, after getting into scoring range again, receiver Conor Ryan pulled in a nice pass for a 20 yard touchdown. Cork them responded with a touchdown pass of their own – Lomansney hit receiver Hugh McBratney from 8 yards out, after driving into scoring range, to keep the Admirals in touch with the Rebels. However, Sam Hodgins returned the ensuing kick off 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Rebels a solid 40-16 lead at half time.

The third quarter continued in much the same fashion as the first half. The Rebels drove into scoring range and Sam Hodgins punched the ball in from 8 yards out for a touchdown. Then the Admirals responded with a nice 45 yard touchdown run by O'Callaghan. The Rebels came back again later in the quarter as Faichney scored his third touchdown – a 22 yard pass from Dennehy. The scoring wound down in the fourth quarter as the Rebels started running out the clock. There was one further touchdown – a 10 yard run by Mackey to make the final score 58-22 in favour of the Rebels. Nothwithstanding their semi-final loss, the Admirals finished the season with their first ever winning season giving their young team hope for next year. Rebels now face the UL Vikings in Shamrock Bowl XX on August 20th.