Cork Admirals 12 Dublin Rebels 19

The Admirals and Rebels met in the IAFL playoff semi-finals for the third conecutive year last Sunday 27th July. The conditions for the game were near perfect, but the sweltering heat would take its toll on both squads as the day wore on.

Both defenses opened the game well. Walsh and Wilson played well up front for the Rebels, limiting the running room for the Admirals ball carriers. David Lomasney hit Hugh McBratney three times in the opening quarter to help move the chains and give the Admirals defense some better field position. After a scoreless first quarter Liam Keane tipped a deep Andrew Dennehy pass which Martin Mulrey intercepted. A good drive stalled at the Rebels 25 yard line, and the ensuing field goal attempt failed. Paul Smyth and Kevin Finnegan played well on defense on this series.

Another interception, this time by rookie Shane Moriarty gave the Admirals another chance with good starting field position, but good play by the Rebels defensive backfield including Marcus Naylor and Eoin Daly resulted in an interception to end the drive. The game remained scoreless for the remainder of the first half.

The offenses began to find their feet early in the third quarter. Andy Dennehy connected with #92 and Steve Grogan to help move the Rebels downfield along with the running of Kevin Finnegan. The Admirals had an effective drive also during the third quarter. Keith O'Callaghan found some room on a sweep left play and was tackled by Steve Archibald at the one yard line after a long gain. Martin Mulrey followed Conor O'Sullivan and Paul Buchanan up the gut for the TD. On the ensuing tw-point try Kevin Finnegan intercepted a Lomasney pass and outran the pursuing Corkmen to return for a 2-point Rebels score.

The period near the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth was a cagy affair. Defenses did well again, and both teams blocked a punt. Strong running by Kevin Finnegan and #88 put the Rebels in scoring range before a run to the left side pierced the Admirals defence for the go ahead score. Grogan converted the point-after to put the Rebels ahead 9-6. Cork responded well, McBratney turned a Lomasney pass into a first down and Mulrey and O'Callaghan each had yardage to move the Admirals into the Rebels red-zone. Strong blocking by Mulrey and Robert Hennessey in the open field allowed Keith O'Callaghan to score from 15 yards out. 12-9 in favour of the visitors.

After gaining much yardage the Rebels offense couldnt convert a fourth down turning the ball over to the Admirals. After gaining a first down the clock wound down inside the two minute warning, with both teams running out of timeouts. On a second down play O'Callaghan failed to secure a handoff and the fumble was recovered by the Rebels. Chris Gaughan and Barry Rea played some strong football for the Admirals d-line, forcing the Rebels to attempt a field goal to tie the game. Grogan got nice height on the kick which hung in the wind before dropping over the crossbar for the tying score.

Attempting to find the winning score the Admirals were passing. Pressure from Ciaran Tighe force the ball loose from Lomasney, which fell to Steve Archibald who returned for the winning score.

The Rebels now face the Vikings in the Shamrock-Bowl at CIT stadium, Bishopstown, Cork on August 10th.