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IRISH AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE –
24 AUGUST 2005
SHAMROCK
BOWL XIX
BELFAST
BULLS V DUBLIN REBELS
Shamrock Bowl XIX, the National Championship
game for the Irish American Football League
(IAFL) is due to take place at the Grafton
Arena (home of Belfast Harlequins RFC) on
Sunday 28th August at 2pm.
Below
you will find a transcript of a Questions
& Answers interview conducted by the
IAFL earlier today. Andrew Dennehy, quarterback
of the Dublin Rebels and Rod Thompson, Head
Coach of the Belfast Bulls were the participants.
Q&A:
ANDREW
DENNEHY - DUBLIN REBELS QUARTERBACK:
1.
Which of your opponents players do you fear
most & why?
Three players in particular: Jeroen Egge,
Erin Wagner and Mark Helferty. All of these
players are outstanding athletes and play
offense and defense. Egge and Wagner have
the speed and strength to change a game
on their own. Helferty has more interceptions
than anyone else in the league and QBs have
to be worried about the risk they're taking
every time they throw his way.
2. How will your preparations for
SBXIX differ from those for a normal
league game?
We will prepare in exactly the same way.
Obviously we will be pumped up for this
game, but we have to treat it as just another
game. We've been training towards this day
since last November, and we have to maintain
focus and concentrate on executing every
play perfectly.
3. This is the Rebels third SB final in
a row. What have you learned from previous
appearances?
Last year in particular, we learnt that
the game is never over until the final whistle.
If we go behind, we know not to get our
heads down as there is always a chance that
we can come back. Inversely, we know not
to ease off just because we have a comfortable
lead. We learnt the importance of 'mental
toughness' last year.
4. Which of your players do you
expect to have the greatest influence on
the game?
I think that's very hard to call with our
team. On offense, we have a long list of
players who have made big plays on a regular
basis. Our defense works well as a unit
with no real stand-out performers.
5.
How do you feel about the game being played
in Belfast for the first time since the
reformation of the IAFL?
It's a very positive step for the league.
The Belfast Bulls look like they will be
a permanent fixture on the football landscape,
and hosting the Bowl will improve their
profile locally.
6. What should first time spectators look
out for?
I think the real battle in this game will
be fought 'in the trenches' - between the
Offensive and Defensive Lines of both teams.
First-time spectators often just focus on
the ballcarrier, but they should keep an
eye on the furious action happening at the
line of scrimmage.
ROD THOMPSON – BELFAST BULLS
HEAD COACH:
1.
Which of your opponents players do you fear
most & why?
I think perhaps it's a healthy respect as
opposed to fear, I mean, we are more aware
of certain players than others- but the
key to a quality team is a collection of
good players and of course those players
must be able to gel and function together
to be successful. Personally, I like the
Rebel’s offensive line, its the best
we've come across at this level, its a well
drilled prolific unit, they get the job
done smoothly and effectively.
2. How will your preparations for
SBXIX differ from those for a normal league
game?
I don't think we'll prepare that much differently
to any other match if I am to be honest.
Mental preparation is possibly going to
be a factor more so in this game, so much
more is at stake. Ultimately, the physical
preparation for the season and the shamrock
bowl has been done consistently from January.
I believe that perfecting the fundamentals
of the sport plays a large part in a teams
success. A heavy emphasis on the basics
i.e. tackling, blocking, running, catching,
passing from the pre- season phase will
hopefully pay dividends this Sunday!
3 This is the Bulls first ever SB final
whereas the Rebels have played in each of
the past two. Does this give the Rebels
an advantage?
Experience can never really be seen as a
hindrance, sometimes though a team can take
success for granted and become complacent.
We have already robbed the Rebels of their
league title this season and defeated them
in March. Other teams have also proved difficult
for them, the Carrick knights came within
6 points of a win in the play-off game and
beat them during the season, so Id say the
pressure is definitely on the Rebels. The
Rebels are beatable again and that’s
what we'll be there to prove.
4. Which of your players do you
expect to have the greatest influence on
the game?
They say the battle is fought and won in
the trenches, which refers to the offensive
and defensive lines, the big guys up front
are invaluable and definitely hold the key
to a win. Other players which could influence
the game include James Mckelvey, Erin Wagner,
Mark Helferty, and Ex- NFL Europe lineman
Jeroen Egge.
5. How do you feel about the game
being played in Belfast for the first time
since the reformation of the IAFL?
I think its fantastic, It's going to provide
great publicity for the Sport. We are fortunate
enough to be able to host it at Harlequins
Rugby ground, which is a beautiful venue.
A lot of hard work has been put into creating
a wonderful family day out and as a team
we are very proud to play in our home city.
6. What should first time spectators look
out for?
The big hits, long passes, trick plays and
of course touchdowns!! It's such a great
sport and offers someone of every size an
opportunity to play. Unlike rugby there’s
a lot of hitting and contact off the ball
and it’s exciting to watch personal
battles develop between players as the game
goes on.
For further information on the Shamrock
Bowl:
http://www.iafl.info
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