Shamrock Bowl Conference
Dublin Dragons vs. Carrickfergus Knights
Well what a game this could be. The (1-2) Dragons host the (0-3) Carrickfergus team, and both are eager for a win. The Knights have had a tough start to the year, taking on the top 3 teams in our Power Rankings in their first three games and they’ve coped admirably, not shipping too many points whilst also scoring a few themselves. Now it’s time their season got back on track.
Does that start with the Dublin Dragons though? The home team will be desperate to grab a win to ease themselves away from the mire of relegation. They have a tough remaining season and will hope they can pick up at least one more win to ease the worries. Can the tough defence help power the Dragons to victory? Or will the Knights win this one?
West Dublin Rhinos vs. Belfast Trojans
Those Trojans take to the field once again, and again they will look to extend the unbeaten streak that leads back to 2011. They face off against the West Dublin Rhinos in Castleknock, a team that is in an almighty struggle to save their 2014 season and their SBC status.
The Rhinos are struggling with injuries for sure but their usual solid defence is shipping points and the offence is lacking firepower. But this is also the team that upset the Dublin Rebels last year. Can they pull off a bigger shock in 2014?
Doubtful. This Belfast side is rolling again. With names all over the scoring charts on offence and a defence that is disrupting teams for fun, the Trojans are the odds on favourites to win the Shamrock Bowl for a third consecutive year.
IAFL-1
Mullingar Minotaurs vs. Meath Bulldogs
The IAFL-1 is continuing its unpredictability in 2014! After UCD demolished Cork and then Meath beat UCD, we all expected the Bulldogs to demolish the Admirals. But that wasn’t the case as the Navan side went down 20-8 to Cork team.
The Bulldogs are struggling on offence. They weren’t putting massive numbers up in 2013 but with a rotation of staff, the attack isn’t providing the firepower required to firmly put teams away.
Their defence, however, is doing well. Shutting down UCD’s offence is no easy task, considering the same team has put up 140 points in their other three games. They should task themselves with shutting down the Minotaur’s run game.
Mullingar propped up the division a year ago. However, with a shake up, a new quarterback and a rush orientated offence, the Minotaurs have already won a game in 2014. However, can they face off against the trio of Meath, UCD and Cork? Are they at that level yet?
IAFL-2
Dundalk Mavericks vs. Tyrone Titans
The two 1-0 teams in the IAFL-2 face off in what is sure to be a cracker in Dundalk!
The Mavericks overcame the South Kildare Soldiers in the first game with two well drilled punt returns for touchdowns. Their special teams will be something to watch for the Titans.
The Tyrone side are probably the most experienced in the IAFL-2 with a smattering of ex-Cowboys throughout but the Mavericks have a whole host of old Drogheda Lightning players amongst their roster so look for this game to be more IAFL-1 standard.
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.