Week 14
The pick of this week’s game has to be the clash between the Northern Divisional leading Knights and the resurgent Cowboys. With only 6 games left on the regular season calendar there are still a lot of questions un-answered regarding the post season.
Craigavon Cowboys (3-3) @ Carrickfergus Knights (5-1)
Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus 2pm.
IAFL Division North has provided us with the bulk of our entertainment in the 2011 season. They could well be rewarded with ALL three teams taking part in the post season. This game is a must win for both teams. For the Knights to win the Division they really need to get something from this game. The Belfast Trojans have pushed the Knights hard all season and will be hoping the Carrick outfit slips up here. The Knights are 3 – 0 at home and will be looking to maintain that impressive home record. They have scored 69 points at Woodburn Road in 3 games and conceded a total of 13 points in the same games. If there is one team The Knights may not like to see roll into Fortress Carrickfergus it could well be the Cowboys. Having reached a very impressive 3 & 3 record with an impressive win over the Trojans, the Cowboys are the form team of the IAFL. They have won 3 of their last 4 games in the league racking up an impressive 114 points in those games. The Cowboys could well secure a wild card playoff spot with win on Sunday. They need just one win from their remaining two games to ensure a post season slot. That is a simple goal. There are other more complicated and less likely scenarios that could see the Cowboys host the Knights in the wildcard game, but I am sure Coach Loughran will be focused on the game in hand.
On the field both teams have balanced attacks. As a result both defenses should be well prepared to cope with their opponents. The Knights D has to be the top unit in this match up. They have experience in depth and a devastating mix of size and speed that can limit an offense’s attacking options. The Cowboys have managed to find and exploit weakness in defenses this season. They have scored in every game so far this year. They will have to build on recent results to over- turn their Week 3 loss at home to the Knights.
The Castle Walls will echo to the sounds of a serious football game on Sunday Afternoon. Without a doubt the game of the Week!!!
UCD (3-4) @ Dublin Dragons (0-6)
Lucan Community College, Dublin. 2pm.
UCD travel to Lucan looking to keep their play-off hopes alive. Never an easy place to get a result, the Students will have their work cut out on Sunday. Meanwhile the Dragons will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Vikings last week. Back to back games may not allow much time for bumps and bruises to heal, but UCD’s last game on the field was April 17th. The advantage must go to the Dragons who know what they can do on the field. That advantage though may be a very slim one. UCD put up their biggest score of the season, 74 points , in the week 6 meeting at Belfield. One thing is certain about this game – there will be TD’s! The Dragons will be hoping they can improve on their offensive output. Currently they are second from bottom in that category and no matter how well your defense performs they need a little help from “the other side of the ball”. UCD know that a loss on Sunday and their season is over. The Southern Division has not been as strong as previous seasons, but Coach Collins knows that a win could well spoil the Northern Divisions dominance of the play-off spots.