Report by Gary Sommerville
The Dublin Rebels renewed friendships with cross town rivals the West Dublin Rhinos in Santry this past Sunday to kick off their 2013 league campaign. This season sees the Rebels compete in the Shamrock Bowl Conference North Division as a result of the IAFL’s restructured league format which will pit them against other hardy adversaries the Belfast Trojans, Craigavon Cowboys and Carrickfergus Knights. Having said farewell to multi-year veterans and IAFL legends last summer, the Rebels looked to rebuild in the offseason and rebuild they did, with several rookies starting on both sides of the pigskin for the 7-time national champions.
In typical Irish football conditions, sunny one minute and hailstones the next, the Rebels received the opening kick-off and its revamped offense lead by QB Andy Dennehy took to the field against a Rhinos D that had been boosted by several new additions itself. Nobody likes dropping something; on the football field, in the prison showers, not ever, so the slippery conditions forecasted a heavy diet of the run game. This was provided in large portions by the white Bo Jackson, running back Simon “Bo Mackson” Mackey who pounded the rock up the gut to keep the chains moving on the Rebels first drive. However, experience showed within the Rhinos defense which shut down any offensive momentum from the home team who came away with empty pockets.
The Rhinos have been maintaining a youth program over the years and this has stood to them as their offense took to the field marshalled by their young QB who came through this system. However a defense lead by linebacker and Prince Albert tribute act Steve Walsh is enough to rattle any QB and the nerves showed as the Rebels defense halted any progress by the Rhinos run-option game. The first TD of the day was to come behind impressive O-line blocking out wide from Mackey who claims to have never touched a weight in his life but resembled Quasimodo with a hump of players on his back as he crossed the plain to open the Rebels 2013 account. The 2-point conversion was successful to put the Rebels up 8-0 early doors at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was much of the same after a nifty grab from rookie receiver Adam Geere on third down, Mackey broke away down the Rhinos sideline with a few Heismans to the face of defenders for good measure to add his second score of the day. A failed 2 pointer saw the Rebels streak to a quick fire 14-0 head start with ticks on the clock left in the first half. The Rhinos run game began to grind out yards and push the Rebels D-line back into their own half but a wayward pass under pressure by the Rhinos QB was picked off by defensive back Kevin Fitzgerald and left the Rebels with good field position. Again the ground game got the gears grinding and picked up solid yardage with rookie blindside Mike McGuire springing some big blocks on the edge. Despite not being at the level of the legendary Rebels War Pigs just yet, it was clear that these new piglettes were starting to suck on the teeth that is Andy Dennehy’s offensive philosophy. And it was its mother who scored the Rebels third TD when the veteran QB squeezed somehow between the arse cheeks of his centre and guard from the 1 yard line to avenge his failed attempt against the Rhinos last year.
The half time break saw the home team lead the visitors 22-0 in a refreshing display of power football from the Rebels. The second half was not to be the same however as a lacklustre display from both sides saw no points added to the board. There were however some big plays for the considerably large crowd in attendance including a diving Polamalu-esque diving interception from prodigal son D-lineman Gar McDonald on his return to the Rebels. Rotations on both sides saw rookies get reps in the final minutes and the Rhinos still had a chance to break the goose egg but the Rebels D turned over the ball on downs and knelt out the clock.
The win saw the Rebels advance to a 1-0 record and top the SBC North alongside the reigning champions the Belfast Trojans who will meet each other in Santry on March 10th in what looks to be a crucial game in deciding the fate of the SBC North winners. The win was also historic as it marked the 100th Dublin Rebels win in the IAFL, the first team to do so since its reformation in 2001.
Scores:
1st Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2 point conversion successful) 0-8
2nd Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2 point conversion unsuccessful) 0-14
Run by A.Dennehey (2 point conversion successful) 0-22
Half time score: 0-22
3rd Quarter
No scores
4th Quarter
No Scores
Full time score: West Dublin Rhinos 0 Dublin Rebels 22