DCU Saints are now recruiting for the 2009 season.

Experience is not necessary but beneficial.

Training begins in late September.

Contact committee members for details

Report from IAFL.info

Scorers:
1st Quarter: Grogan (Reb) FG.
2nd Quarter: Adrian Garvey (Vik) TD, Darragh O’Callaghan (Vik) INT RET, Seamus Feehan 2xpt from JP Nerbun.
3rd Quarter: Safety (Reb), Smyth (Reb) TD from Andy Dennehy, Grogan XP
4th Quarter: No Scoring

Shamrock Bowl XXII was a spectacular occasion played in perfect conditions. The newly built and ultra modern CIT Stadium hosted a large, loud and proud crowd from Limerick who were treated to a nail-biting struggle between two excellent teams. The Vikings faced their rivals the Dublin Rebels and sought revenge for their regular season defeat at the hands of the Dublin outfit.

The game began with the Vikings kicking off to Dublin and Kevin Finnegan returned the ball into Limerick territory. The Rebels Quarterback Andy Dennehy then proceeded to lead a well executed drive to get to the Limerick redzone. Finnegan was the main threat for Dublin from the running back position. The Vikings defence then stepped up their game and big tackles from Kieran Coen and Bill Parkinson stopped the Dublin drive. Vikings QB JP Nerbun then took over and had trouble moving the ball initially against the tough Dublin defense. A great punt by Daniel Smith put Dublin under pressure but they continued to move the ball well and got back into Limerick territory. A fumble by the Vikings was recovered by the Rebels and they then opened the scoring with a 25 yard field goal by Paul Grogan which put them up three to nil. The Vikes then steeled their resolve and began to gain yards on offense. JP Nerbun completed passes to Tight end Glen Carr and reciever Marc Ashworth and game MVP Adrian Garvey made some big gains on the ground.

This pressure continued and the Rebels were powerless to stop the drive. Garvey punched in the first touchdown of the game from 23 yards out with a dazzling run combining great speed, elusive moves and crushing strength at the end to put him over the line. The blocking of Mark Thompson, Brendan Moroney, Jim Davis, Kieran Coen, Dave Moloney and Glen Carr was crucial on the drive also. The extra point attempt was blocked. The Rebels then took to the air in a bid to regain the lead. Dennehy completed passes to tight end Paul Smyth. Darragh O’Callaghan then stepped in front of a pass, juggled it for a moment and then secured possession. The Viking defence then turned to blockers and in what resembled a feeding frenzy, O’Callaghan found running room and took the ball all the way back for another Viking touchdown. The sizeable Limerick crowd went crazy after the play. JP Nerbun then threw a spectacular fade pass to Seamus Feehan who snagged the ball and kept his feet in bounds for the 2 point conversion. This score would prove crucial at the final whistle. The rest of the 2nd quarter saw the ball change hands a couple of times but no scores.

The third quarter saw the Rebels come back strongly showing what made them champions four times this decade. They were awarded 2 points for a safety for a block below the waist penalty on a punt. They then put together their first touchdown drive through great running from Ross McCoohey and Kevin Finnegan which was capped by a touchdown pass to Tight End Paul Smyth. Paul Grogan kicked the extra point. This cut the Vikings lead to two points and put them in serious danger of losing the game.

The fourth quarter was dominated by both defences and was a showcase of tense and entertaining football. Garvey continued to pound away on the ground getting the Vikings valuable first downs and keeping the Rebels out of range of scoring. The Vikings defense made some huge stops this quarter with Danny Smith, Mark Gaffney, Cormac Ryan and Kieran Coen making important tackles. The Rebels still managed to move the ball into field goal range and attempted the kick to put them one point up with 3 minutes left. Kieran Coen and Glen Carr surged through the Rebels line and both got a fingertip to the ball as it sailed goalward. The ball was tipped off line and the kick was no good. The Vikes then drove the back up the pitch and took 2 minutes off the clock. The Rebels got the ball back again and drove down the pitch. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as every play in the drive was life or death. Dennehy completed a number of passes and the Rebels were moving well until the Vikings Safety Liam Ryan made a diving interception in front of Paul Smyth to seal the game and secure the Vikings second National Championship. Adrian Garvey then picked up a first down and the last seconds ticked off of a hugely entertaining final.

The IAFL is pleased to announce that Shamrock Bowl XXII, the Championship game of the IAFL, will take place on Sunday August 10th in the newly constructed CIT Stadium, Cork. This will be the first time ever that Cork has hosted a Shamrock Bowl. Shamrock Bowl XXII will be the first major national event to be played at the stadium.

The match will be contested by the Dublin Rebels and the UL Vikings who defeated the Cork Admirals and Belfast Trojans respectively in the semi-finals.

www.shamrockbowl.com

DCU Saints reached the Shamrock Bowl Play-Offs for the first time in the Clubs history, after beating Northern Conference team Belfast Bulls in a tight and thrilling game. This game was particularly important as the winner got the Play-Off spot. Winning 6-0 on the day, DCU Saints have secured their playoff game against Cork Admirals with one game left in regular season.

(Photos by Dominic McKeown)

On a bright and blustery day at the City Of Belfast Playing Fields, Mallusk, both teams started cautiously and were testing each other out from the offset. The Bulls started on Offense. When having run the ball on their first play, they went to the air on their second and intercepted by DB Alex Trimble. Called back for a penalty, the Bulls retained the ball and went back to the running game. The Bulls QB showed he was a danger when scrambling and their running backs were constant threats. Going to the air once again the Bulls QB was intercepted a second time by DB Trimble who returned the ball to more than halfway and DCU Offense took to the field. Captained by QB Cormac Ecklof, DCU opened with its running game but was met with stiff opposition by the strong Bulls Defense. The ball was turned over on downs. This pattern of play was to repeat itself over, many times, as both Offenses made yardage only for opposing Defenses to make great tackles and stop any scoring. As the game of tactics continued, both Defenses excelled in wearing down their opponents. DCU Defense had a shut out game with the secondary in particular, having a great day at the office. DB’s Alex Trimble and Willie Coyne and Safety Conor Spenser were excellent, all making crucial tackles and closing down Belfast Bulls passing opportunities. The Linebacker crew had a busy day closing down running options and pressurised the QB constantly. The Bulls Running backs were fast and agile and the LB’s had to work for their tackles. The Defensive Line manned by Harmen Zweers, Stephen O Connor, Conor Sullivan, and aided by Neil Callanan and Steve Porteus, battled all day with a strong Bulls Offensive Line. DCU’s Offensive Line battled equally hard with Stuart Clarke, Emmett Ryan, Liam O’Tailluir, David Rothwell and Neil Callanan giving QB Ecklof time for passing.

The resulting kickoff by Shane Maguire, made the Bulls attempt their return from within their endzone, specials teams made the all important tackle and the Bulls were starting 10yds from their endzone. Their power running game became very effective as they neared halfway line. DCU’s Defense made them work for their firstdowns and thus helped the clock run down. Then DCU’s Defense hit their purple patch and drove the Bulls Offense back past the their line of Scrimmage. The Bulls were then corralled and sought that crucial first down in vain. With not quite enough time on the clock to take a knee, DCU’s offense sought to run down the game but when there was still 1 minute 17 on the clock, DCU fumbled and the Belfast Bulls took possession. The Bulls didn’t have any time outs remaining and from being positioned at midfield, the Bulls went for broke. Some incredible tackling by the DCU Defense, stopped the Bulls and time ran out for their Bowl challenge for 2008. DCU had made it to the Play-Offs.

DCU Saints face UL Vikings at home on July 6^th at Alsaa. With a week off to train DCU then face the Cork Admirals in Cork on July 20^th.

]]>

(Photos by Dominic McKeown)

After two conference defeats to Dublin Rebels, DCU Saints continued with their playoffs ambitions with an entertaining game in Castleknock against the Dublin Rhinos. Winning 32-6 on the day, the DCU Saints played some great offensive and defensive football.

Rookie Dave Mullins caught his second TD of his career and added two more during the game. Dave proved difficult to cover with 4yd, 20 yd and 5 yd TD catches, his third being an acrobatic catch and grab into the top corner of the end zone. Willie Coyne had 70 yds catching on the day when QB Cormac Ecklof threw some superb passes to various receivers including Shane Maguire for a well taken 2xp.

The Rhinos made life hard for DCU defense in the first half of the game but after the halftime break the Saints defense raised its game and with excellent run stopping took away all of the Rhino offensive potency. Collectively the DCU Defense took to their tasks with great discipline and enjoyed the fruits of their labour with the defensive line restricting the Rhinos run game to under 50 yds and pressurising the pass to enable two interceptions. Special teams played well on the day with excellent yards on returns in particular. Special mention goes to Gary Fogarty on the Defensive line, Damian Baker and Eoin Fox as Outside Linebackers and Alex Trimble playing defensive back.

DCU go into their next game against the Belfast Bulls as underdogs on 29th June but with a playoff place likely for the winner then its all up for grabs.

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.