Dublin Rhinos 3-32 DCU Saints
April 28th, 2008 | | Game Reports
The sun came out to play on Alsaa when the DCU Saints hosted conference rivals Dublin Rhinos. The first quarter was a tight affair when both defence’s kept the game scoreless. Indeed the only highlight was a 30yd catch by DCU WR Dave Mullins. An attempted Field goal by K/WR Shane Maguire was marginally wide.
The second quarter started well for Rhinos and their TE was unlucky to drop a catch in the end zone. This was the kick start that DCU offense needed and drove down the pitch with a fine catch from WR Mullins and great running from RB Dave McMahon and FB Killian Roche. DCU capped off a fine drive with a 20yd catch from RB McMahon who danced out of trouble into the endzone. The 1xpt was unsuccessful.
Rhino’s regrouped their offense and after some great scrambles from their QB brought themselves into the DCU Saints redzone. Some stout defending by the defensive line forced Rhinos to go for a FG on 4th down which they converted.
DCU went back to their traditional offense at the start of the second half and this paid off when Saints capped off another fine offensive drive by a 25yd catch by WR Thomas Mevel who was playing his last game for DCU prior to returning home to France. The resulting 1xpt was unsuccessful as the upright became the 12th blocker for the Rhinos.
DCU defense had made some adjustments in the second half and this paid off with some containment of the nippy Rhinos QB and the DE Gary Fogarty made some great tackles in the backfield . On the resulting punt return LB Rushe made a great return along the sideline aided by some fantatic blocking by the defense to setup the DCU offense inside the Rhinos half. A great juggling catch by TE Colm Collins setup FB Roche for DCU’s third TD. The 2xpt was unsuccessful.
In the 4th quarter DCU offsense again had momentum with QB Cormac Ecklof directing the team. QB Ecklof again found the endzone with a nice 5yd pass to TE Collins. K/WR Maguire was successful with the 1xpt. Rhinos began to move the ball again thru great running from their QB Sean Power but when he was intercepted by CB Peter Kissiov on the goal line, DCU Offense once again drove down field. A fantastic catch and run by FB Roche yielded 60 yds and RB McMahon finished off the drive with a 25yd run into the endzone. Again K/WR Maguire was successful with the 1xpt.
The remainder of the quarter was unsuccessful as both defenses prevented any more scoring. The game finally ended with a 32-3 scoreline to DCU Saints. Happily neither team had any serious injuries and was well reffed by the officiating crew and sets up an eagerly awaited rematch by both sides for later in the season.
DCU Saints 44-0 Tallaght Outlaws
April 14th, 2008 | | Game Reports
Update: Photos added to gallery. More to follow
DCU versus Tallaght Outlaws was destined to be a mud bath from the kickoff. A huge hailstorm smothered the pitch 20 mins before the coin toss. The soggy pitch had an immediate effect as both teams traded fumbles. Saints opened the scoring with a 15yd run by RB Dave McMahon, his first of four in the game. The 1xpt was unsuccessful.With Outlaws still stuttering on offense, DCU put together a good drive only for Outlaws D to thwart them and went for a FG which was unsuccessful.Saints Defense was particularly sharp on the day as the front four of Harmen Zweers, Stephen Connor, Conor Sullivan and Gary Fogarty caused lots of problems for Outlaws Offensive line. Linebackers Eoin Fox, Carl Rushe, Clayton Wood and Damian Baker prevented Outlaws running game from making much progress. On a resulting turnover on downs, RB McMahon ran in his second TD of the game from 10yds out.With hail and rain falling heavy, huge puddles began to form on the pitch as players collided with fantastic hits that not only had sound effects now had splashes. The ball became very slippy and as a result of punt snap slidding along the ground Saints were able to get great field position within Tallaghts red zone. On the resulting play, RB McMahon score his third from 15 yds out aided with some great blocking from OL Neil Callanan. The 2xpt was unsuccessful.
Outlaws began to move the ball on the ground on their next drive but again were stopped by the Saints hard hitting defense and turned the ball over on downs. With some great running by RB Killian Roche and RB McMahon, Saints Offense drove down to the 3 yd line where RB Roche scored DCU’s fourth TD of the game with a well timed run. The 2xpt was converted by RB McMahon.Outlaws punted on following drive and recovered the punt after the returner fumbled. While there was momentary sunshine, the Outlaws QB went to the air to try and score before the half ended.
The second half began with more fumbles and tackling in the large puddles formed on the pitch. The middle of the pitch started to play havoc with both teams running game. Outlaws went to the air attack but Outlaws QB was constantly harried by chasing Saints Defense, DCU’s Offensive line was doing a great job dominating the Outlaws front four and on the next drive in the third quarter RB Roche made some great running to setup RB McMahon score his fourth and final TD of the game. The 2xpt was unsuccessful.
With both teams running the ball the clock started to run out for Outlaws, Stout defense by Saints stopped any progress Outlaws made. QB Ecklof began to throw the ball as conditions eased. Combing with WR David Mullins for a great 30yd reception and 20yd TD.
Late in the fourth quarter, QB Ecklof connected with WR Sam Monson, who made a fine one handed catch and gather in the endzone for Saints last score of the game. The game ended with the score 44-0. On the day the conditions played a huge part making play for both teams difficult. The game had a short break into the first half when there were fears of a lightning storm but temporary clearing skies enabled game to resume.
For DCU this was their first win of the season after a disappointing opener and a great confidence boost going into their next game with conference opposition Dublin Rhinos.
Carrickfergus Knights 18-7 DCU Saints
March 31st, 2008 | | Game Reports
(Photo by Jonathan Beattie)
The opening game of the season for the Knights and DCU was set up to be an exciting game. Both teams had large squads and the rain hadn’t appeared as promised.
Knights kicked off and when DCU stuttered on their opening drive the Knights were able to mix pass and run plays to score their first TD on a very well setup 5 yd TD run for #34 Callum Morrow who picked his run lanes extremely well for a rookie. The PAT was marginally wide.
DCU again struggled on offense and when punted against the wind found themselves defending in their own half. On the ensuing drive Knights passing game was very successful as the strode down to the DCU endzone. At the change of quarter QB Adam Devenney connected with #21 Ian McIlroy for a 3yd pass. Knights narrowly missed PAT.
The game became a defensive battle where DCU made some great stands against the excellent running game of #34 Callum Morrow. Knights secondary was extremely successful against DCU QB #12 Cormac Eklof and picked him off 5 times during the game. LB Mark Harris had a great game for the knights as did # 88 Carl Rushe and # 65 Eoin Fox for DCU.
The Knights lost QB Adam Devenney to injury and lost a little sharpness to their offense. DCU Dline including DE #30 Harmen Zweers then made some great plays to twart any further drives by Carrickfergus blocking a punt and taking possession at one stage. The knights running game aided by a strong Oline continued to make yards and only for a stubborn DCU defense would have put more scores on the board.
(Photo by Jonathan Beattie)
In the fourth quarter Knights RB Morrow put together some great running and DCU struggled to stop the team in yellow and black charging up for the close out score. The PAT was unsuccessful.
On the resulting kickoff Paddy Colman ran the ball back for a TD and kicker Shane Maguire converted the PAT. DCU Offense finally began to click late in the fourth quarter but by this time it was too little too late before the Knights finally ended the game by running out the clock by kneeling.
On the day, the Knights organization and experience was their overall strength over a revamped DCU team that included many rookies.
Superbowl XXLI
January 30th, 2008 | | Team News, Social
Sunday the 3rd February sees the New York Giants take on the New England Patriots in Superbowl XXLI. This year the game will be held in Phoenix, Arizona and kicks off at 11pm.
As usual we’ll be hosting our own Superbowl party in Buskers Bar in Templebar. We’ve worked hard on putting together a good night and the following is just some of the things we’ve planned:
- Bar open until 2:30am
- Drink promos: Pints of Miller €3
- Entry only €5 which includes a free pint of Miller
Our event kicks off from 9:30pm and all are welcome. For directions to Buskers, check out their website at www.buskersbar.com.