Shamrock Bowl XXIV – Saturday 7th August, 2pm, Tallaght Stadium
Dublin Rebels v University of Limerick Vikings.
Shamrock Bowl XXIV features the two clubs who have been the standout programmes in Ireland over the past decade. Both teams have extensive experience of playing in championship games and have made their mark in Europe. There is an intense rivalry between both teams, fueled by regular meetings in recent Shamrock Bowls. Both teams also have a claim on being the best team in Ireland and Shamrock Bowl XXIV will settle this matter.
The Dublin Rebels have been unbeaten during the regular season and play-offs, winning an impressive 9 straight games. During this time they defeated the Vikings in Limerick. Hence their claim to be Ireland’s best team. The margin of their victories has been extremely impressive and they ended the regular season with the number one ranked offence and defence.
However, the UL Vikings have had the distraction of European competition in 2010 to blame for dropping some points during the regular season. They became the first Irish team ever to win a European title when the won the EFAF Atlantic Cup in June. Consequently, they have been ranked in the top 20 teams in Europe – the first Irish team to achieve such a ranking for over 20 years.
Dublin Rebels
Since the reformation of the IAFL in 2001 the Rebels have finished with the best regular season record seven times and won five Shamrock Bowls. The Rebels have competed in eight of the past ten Shamrock Bowls, narrowly losing to UL in 2008 and 2009. The Dublin Rebels represented Ireland in the EFAF Atlantic Cup in 2009, where they stamped a major mark on European American Football and are also the only team ever to have won the League title and Shamrock Bowl with a perfect season (10-0, in 2006). They are also the only team to win four Shamrock Bowls in a row – a record that UL will try to equal in today’s game.
Balance is the cornerstone of the Rebels success. On offense, they combine finesse with physicality, utilising the speed and power of their offensive weapons and operating efficient running and passing games. Running backs Aaron Smith and Sam Hodgins are both tenacious runners who threaten to score on every play. Behind the crushing blocks of the Rebels‟ Offensive Line, led by Left Tackle Steve Wilson, both backs have had great seasons. Quarterback Andy Dennehy is known for his tactical mind, plus his ability to connect with favourite receiver Barry Flinn. At 6′ 5”, with great speed and sure hands, Flinn is the prototypical Wide Receiver – UL must figure out how to stop him.
On defense, the Rebels also have a heady mix of power and speed. The uber-aggressive quartet of defensive linemen Henry Wasserman, Fergal O’Hanlon, Andrew Flynn and Steve Walsh takes on the battle in the trenches. Behind this maelstrom, the speed of players like LB Kevin Finnegan and CB Colin Keegan has given the Rebels the balance they needed to become 2010’s top defense. This year has been the Rebels best ever year statistically, with both the offense and defense topping the league and achieving the best total scoring in Rebels history.
University of Limerick Vikings
The UL Vikings are the current EFAF Atlantic Cup Champions and defending Shamrock Bowl Champions. They’ve won each of the last three Shamrock Bowl, two of those games against the Rebels. The Vikings play a smash-mouth style of football with an “establish the run” philosophy on offense. With their devastating backfield partnership the stars are Adrian Garvey and James Twomey. Both players are big, strong, mobile backs and will be difficult to stop behind the strong Vikings offensive line. Marc Ashworth and Brendáin Curtin are the main threats in a pass game that benefits from space due to the strong running game.
The Vikings have built their previous three Championship teams on strong defense and this year is no different. There has been a lot of change from last year‟s Championship team but the team is unarguably a stronger unit. The defensive line is one of the team’s greatest assets with plenty of pressure coming off the edges and inside runs being eaten up. The linebackers are led by Brendan McCarthy and are a mobile and hard hitting bunch. Sean Sheehy, with an amazing rookie season, is the standout in a strong secondary that has stifled most teams it has faced this year.
UL Vikings Head Coach and “IAFL Coach of the Year „08” Ciaran O‟Sullivan is a hugely experienced operator in the IAFL. He has playing experience with a number of clubs and previously coached with the Cork Admirals. At the start of the ‟09 season, which was just his second year with the club, he was promoted to Head Coach and lived up to all expectations winning the 2009 Shamrock Bowl. Ciaran is also defensive coordinator and has developed one of the best defences ever to play the game in Ireland.
