Shamrock Bowl Conference
Dublin Dragons vs. Dublin Rebels
It’s getting to what we call the business end of the season and yet there is still so much to fight for in the Shamrock Bowl Conference. The Dublin Rebels have sewn up a playoff spot but could still take the SBC North crown if they win out and the Belfast Trojans slip up against Carrickfergus in their final game of the year.
Meanwhile at the other end of the division, the Dragons SHOULD be safe from relegation with their win over Waterford meaning the Wolves would have to beat both the University of Limerick Vikings and the West Dublin Rhinos and hope that the Dragons lose their two remaining games in order to leapfrog them. Stranger things have happened but it’s an unlikely one. However the Dragons will certainly want to make sure they seal their own SBC safety with another win either against the Rebels or the Cowboys on the final day, or even better both!
The Dragons have the third worst defence in the League by points conceded, and the second worst offence, putting up just 31 points in their six games. However, it’s their first season back in the SBC after a big rebuild and many of their players are rookies or inexperienced, particularly at this level of play. They have excellent foundations to build on and a good coaching setup.
Waterford Wolves vs. University of Limerick Vikings
This is it for Waterford. They really could do with a result against the Vikes. They’re the only winless team remaining. The Dragons hold the Head to Head over them so look out of sight, the Cowboys have a much superior points difference and the Rhinos look improved so will be difficult to beat in the Wolves’ final game. If they’re to put their fate of survival back in their own hands, the team needs a win against UL.
But that’s much easier said than done. The Vikings are on a five win streak and are wrapping up their regular season here this weekend. They’ll want to do so with another victory and a resounding one at that to finish the year and head in to the playoffs on a high. With the third best offence and the second best defence in the SBC, watch out for the Vikings in the playoffs.
West Dublin Rhinos vs. Trinity College Dublin
Well the West Dublin Rhinos have certainly made things interesting. Their win over the North Kildare Reapers has given them an unlikely shot at the playoffs. They were then beating the Carrickfergus Knights 8-0 at half time when the game was unfortunately postponed due to an ambulance leaving and being unable to return. That game is apparently going to be finished, with a second half played starting with an 8-0 scoreline, with rumour stating the 13th July as the proposed date, though we still await confirmation from the League.
If the Rhinos were to sew up that win at the Knights and beat Waterford on the 6th July they could leap from relegation candidates to playoff competitors in just a few short weeks. Good on them!
But first Trinity stand in their way first. The highest scoring team in the League and the only remaining undefeated team, the students have rampaged through every side they’ve met this year, scoring no less than 18 points in a game (which was against the reigning champions, the Belfast Trojans, who still have the best defence in the League). Can anybody stop them?
TCD wrap up their regular season here and anything less than 8-0 will now be considered a massive disappointment. It will take a lot to stop them as they head into the playoffs as number one seeds.
IAFL-1
Drogheda Lightning vs. UCD
UCD have already wrapped up a place in the IAFL-1 Bowl game, having attained a 5-2 record which cannot be caught by two teams (due to Mullingar and Cork still having to play each other). They’ve been impressive this year, racking up a massive 210 points whilst conceding just 18, with their front 7 being dominant in almost every game, allowing the offence to play without massive pressure. Quarterback Dave Murphy has had a year to remember but will no doubt be looking to add to his 19 scores (5 rushing, 13 passing, 1 pick six).
Drogheda are still looking for their first win of the year, having limped through a campaign with injuries and loss of players. They have a young squad with plenty to build on but with an influx of other teams in the area (Dundalk, Meath and the Dublin teams not being a million miles away), it could be difficult to keep the roster together. However they’re a very proactive group and work hard to recruit and I’m sure we’ll see the Lightning around for a long time yet.
It’s going to be a tough game for the home side to pick up their first win, as UCD will be looking to round of their season in style and take the top of the division going in to the Bowl game.
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