Dublin Rebels 62 -6 Craigavon Cowboys
People’s Park, Portadown
April 28th 2013
Despite playing and losing their first away game of the year against the West Dublin Rhinos 2 weeks ago, the Rebels hit the road for reals and headed North to play their first of 3 games in as many weeks against Northern opposition. The 7-6 loss was now in the rear view mirror as the Rebels looked ahead up the long highway to the Shamrock Bowl. Luckily for the Rebels the players brought more balls onto the pitch than game manager Mick Clarke brought onto the bus and it was clear from the off that the road team were out to make a statement to the rest of the league that “Black Is Back”.
Looking to capture the IAFL rushing record for 2013, running back Simon Mackey, probably fresh from an early morning Ben Dunne session with Smith & Wesson, put up 3 rushing TDs in the first quarter alone with 2 point conversions to boot to put the Rebels ahead by a surprising 24 points. With low squad numbers amongst Ireland’s original American Football team, the Cowboys seemed happy to sit back and try stemming the flow of arterial gridiron pressure being pumped by the Rebels “Reservoir Pigs” O-line. The absence of Cowboys starting QB Peter Loughran didn’t help the home side as they struggled to create any offensive momentum against the Rebel’s stingy No Name Defense. The Rebels however reminded the league that they are not just a running game team when QB Andy Dennehy connected with rookie tight end Peter Keely on a pretty rainbow over the Cowboys secondary. He also connected with receiver Gary Sommerville on a quick strike and a customary bomb over the top for 2 TDs. Mackey added another TD to his haul to give him 9 this season after only 4 games. Defensive players got in on the scoring act also with defensive tackle Ger O’ Leary forcing his Northern counterparts into conceding a safety. Defensive back Senan O’ Mahony picked off an errant throw by 18 year old Cowboys QB Christian Cowan and took it back to the house to score the Rebels second pick 6 of the year. The home side scored a TD of their own when receiver Ryan Brolly snagged a deep ball in the Rebels endzone. Despite a flattering score line of 62-6, one thing you always get playing Northern teams is physical game and it was no different on this occasion. A stout Cowboys defensive line made the Rebels O work for their treats and showed why they are around since the dawn of the IAFL.
The Rebels boarded the bus with a W in the back pocket and enjoyed the drink fuelled, Burger King smelling journey back home with the upcoming Trojans game seeping into their thoughts. Rookies were made perform like circus monkeys; some were horrid, some were meh, but none were Paul Grogan, the songbird of our generation. The win puts the Rebels at 3-1, trailing the 4-0 Belfast Trojans at the top of the SBC North. Back to back games against the National Champions in Dublin and Belfast in the next 2 weeks will decide the wearer of the Northern crown and the right to face the wild-card winners in the SBC South. Be sure to catch the first of these mouth watering clashes this Sunday at 2pm in Sportslink Santry.
Scorers:
1st Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 8-0
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 16-0
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 24-0
2nd Quarter
Pass by A. Dennehy to P.Keely (2pc successful) 32-0
Pass by A. Dennehy to G. Sommerville (2pc unsuccessful) 38-0
Safety by G. O’ Leary 40-0
Half time Dublin Rebels 40-0 Craigavon Cowboys 0
3rd Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 48-0
Pass by A. Dennehy to G. Sommerville (2pc successful) 56-0
4th Quarter
Pass by C. Cowan to R. Brolly (XP unscuccessful) 56-6
INT Return by S. O’ Mahony (2pc unsuccessful) 62-6
Final Score Dublin Rebels 62 Craigavon Cowboys 6
Report by Gary Sommerville