The West Dublin Rhinos hosted the Dublin Rebels, reigning Shamrock Bowl Champions on Sunday in Castleknock College. Another blistering day of sunshine and tough football was on show for all the fans who came to watch and both teams were coming off wins in their previous IAFL games.
The Rebels on the back of a victory over Trinity College the week previous kept that momentum and on the opening drive of the game and marched down the field with the ball mainly in the hands of running back Aaron Smyth. This Rhinos defense firmed up on the goal line. However, the Rebels scored on 4th down and goal when Aaron Smyth walked into the endzone for the opening score of the game. The extra point attempt was blocked.
Rhinos running back Sean Power made a couple of first down runs to get the Rhinos into Rebels territory. However, the Rebels sacked Rhinos QB Macken to halt the drive. On 4th down from the 15 now the Rhinos attempted to put some points up on the board with a field goal attempt which was no good. The score remained 6-0 Rebels.
The spectators were treated to a hard hitting game of football for the rest of the half, the Rhinos and Rebels defenses neither wanting to give up a score stepped up and shut down the opposing offenses.
The second half seemed destined to continue as the first had ended, both sides were making small gains here and there before being forced to punt. The Rebels increased their lead towards the end of the 3rd quarter when one of their running backs took a hand off up the middle of the field and sprinted 40 yards into the endzone for the Rebels second touchdown. The extra point attempt was good and put the score at 13-0 Rebels.
The Rhinos offense were playing catch up football but the Rebels experience on defense showed, not allowing the Rhinos to make any big gains through the air. The Rhinos defense also stepped up after conceding two scores with veteran linebacker Eoin Fox intercepting a tipped ball.
The game finished a 13-0 and with a rematch coming up on the 5th June, at Sportslink.
For more pictures from the game, see the Rhinos Media section.
Report by Rhinos, edited by IAFL Staff.