This Sunday we have four fixtures taking place, including the first ever game of the IAFL2 division. Check out previews of all four games below:
Shamrock Bowl Conference
Trinity College Dublin vs. Carrickfergus Knights
What a game this promises to be. Trinity College are enjoying a fine start to the year, being 2-0 after drubbing the UL Vikings and shutting out the West Dublin Rhinos, whilst Carrickfergus will be lifted by their opening day performance against the Belfast Trojans, despite the narrow loss.
The offence of Trinity looks just as dynamic as its defence looks menacing this year and it’s proving to be so as they continue to rack up the points as well as stop teams scoring on them, conceding just 9 points whilst scoring 61 in their opening two match ups. Irish international quarterback Dan Finnamore is a standout, having taken the role after his move from the Drogheda Lightning, whilst running back Rob McDowell is back to punishing teams after last year’s injury woes.
Carrickfergus meanwhile look as if they have strengthened since last year, despite the loss of some key players. Pushing the Belfast Trojans all the way (they were within a point until the end of the third quarter against the champions), the Knights have recruited heavily as well as nurtured talent from their junior squad. They’ll feel the dividends of that in the coming years for sure.
University of Limerick Vikings vs. West Dublin Rhinos
This Viking side is ready to burst on to the scene. After a disappointing opener they suffered another defeat last week, in the final seconds, to last year’s Shamrock Bowl finalists, the Dublin Rebels. Going down 14-13, conceding a 2pt attempt in the final seconds, is a tough way to lose a game that they had controlled for long periods. However the display was a strong one and they showed that the talent is still there and that they’re here to compete in 2014.
With Marc Ashworth back at quarterback and players such as Adrian Garvey and Sean Goldrick around him, as well as some new talent such as Jake Kelly at tight end, who had a standout game last week, the Vikings are always going to be able to score. Watch for that as they take on the Rhinos and then the three IAFL-1 promotion teams through the rest of the year.
The Rhinos are struggling. Their defence is strong. They may have conceded 27 points against Trinity but that’s a TCD side that is balling right now. They won’t ship that many points against everybody. However their offence is a worry. With injuries exacerbating what has always been a problem with low points scoring, it makes you wonder where the all important touchdowns will come from. But after just one game we may be being slightly harsh on the team, can they prove us wrong against UL?
IAFL1
Drogheda Lightning vs. Mullingar Minotaurs
These two teams didn’t have the best of times last year. The Minotaurs were the complete rookies of the division and gave it their all in every game, but ultimately finished bottom of the division, whilst the Lightning were blighted by injuries and a loss of players to the Dundalk Mavericks.
However this will prove to be a great match up. The Lightning have recruited and their head coach, Russell Kerley, is highly experienced. Losing Dan Finnamore was a blow but last year’s stand in quarterback, Oisin Dowling, was a fine replacement. Look for the Lightning to air the ball out this year.
The Minotaurs suffered a rough defeat as they faced off against a tough UCD side on opening day. They’ll want to immediately bounce back and no doubt the coach will be rocking all the way to St. Oliver’s.
IAFL2
South Kildare Soldiers vs. Dundalk Mavericks
The IAFL-2 begins! A little later than its two bigger brothers, the new division opens up with a fantastic match up on paper. The Soldiers have experience throughout the team. Having led a nomadic existence for several years the squad settled in South Kildare, under the leadership of Coach Farrell. Several of their players headed to the European Flag Championships last summer to represent Ireland and the techniques picked up in that discipline will serve them well as they take on the full kitted variety of the sport.
Meanwhile the Mavericks set up as several Drogheda Lightning players saw an opportunity, and the audience, to serve a team closer to home. Led by Sarah Matthews, the team will be hoping to get their competitive life off to a winning start against the Soldiers.
This article has been syndicated from Double Coverage and any opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinion of IAFA. Any references to non-IAFA websites are provided for convenience only and do not in any manner serve as an endorsement of those websites.