Three tiers of Irish football saw action for the first time this week as the IAFL-2 debuted in a match-up between the South Kildare Soldiers and Dundalk Mavericks. So less of the intro and more of the action!
Shamrock Bowl Conference
Trinity College Dublin 27 – 18 Carrickfergus Knights
The Carrickfergus Knights headed South full of optimism as their improved side looked to take a W away from Santry and from the so-far undefeated Trinity side. But it wasn’t to be as the home side continued its fine start to the year.
David Lunn scored the first touchdown of the day, scampering in from 50 yards, allowing Trinity to take a 6-0 lead before German Velderrain forced a safety to take the score to 8-0.
The game threatened to get out of hand when impressive quarterback Dan Finnamore threw his 5th TD of the year, as Lunn reigned it in for his second score of the afternoon, but the Knights would bounce back. Paul McKillop found Chris Ireland in the end zone for the away side’s first 6 of the day.
Finnamore would add to his tally as he found Craig Marron right before half time, giving us a score of 21-6 after the successful PAT.
Ireland would once again score a touchdown to drag Carrickfergus back into the match-up, this time bringing in a Spencer McDowell pass, as he and regular quarterback McKillop rotated around the offensive unit.
Rob McDowell, a menace yet again all afternoon, returned the resulting kick off to the Knights’ 20 yard line, helping Finnamore throw for his 7th TD of the year and 3rd of the afternoon, this time to tight end Kyle Whalen.
Spencer McDowell would throw another touchdown, this time to Ryan Young, to keep the tie close but Carrickfergus could not get back into this one, the game ending 27-18 in favour of TCD
UL Vikings 22 – 7 West Dublin Rhinos
The UL Vikings notched up their first W of the year as they dominated the West Dublin Rhinos at home. The Rhinos themselves will be pleased that they scored offensive points, something that has been troubling for them in recent times.
The Dublin side actually took the lead, as quarterback Arun Mooney found Paul Hossford in the end zone for the 20 yard score before Hossford kicked a successful PAT.
But the Vikings would not be stopped and rallied, with their play revolving around Adrian Garvey. The dynamic back, who often plays in multiple positions, utilised great offensive line work to pound in the Vikings’ first score before kicking the PAT himself.
Brutal play for the home side’s defensive line was the key to this game as they continuously hurried the quarterback, with Ian Cahill getting two sacks, with one forcing a fumble, on the day.
The second half would start with a bang as Sean Goldrick utilised his pace to take the kick off straight back to the house for 6, with Garvey hitting Killian Vigna for the successful 2-pt conversion. Full back Shane Gleeson would round off the scoring with a 40 yard run that showed that this UL offence can rack up points from anywhere.
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