DCU Saints 2-34 Cork Admirals

July 22nd, 2008 | Baker | Game Reports

Wildcard game in the play-offs.

 

 

UL Vikings 47 - 12 DCU Saints

July 10th, 2008 | Baker | Game Reports

DCU Saints 6-0 Belfast Bulls

July 1st, 2008 | Baker | Game Reports

DCU reach Play-Offs

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 game was fiercely contested and neither team punted. When DCU’s Defense stopped the bulls at halfway to end the third quarter the tension was getting raised to a new level. QB Ecklof led a drive getting firstdowns with RB Dave McMahon and WR David Mullins. With the clock running on this fiercely contested drive, Geoff Coleman caught a pinpoint pass and brought the ball to the Bulls 30yd line. Keeping to the air game, and being afforded some fantastic blocking by the Offensive Line, QB Ecklof connected with TE Colm Collins to bring the ball into the Bulls redzone at the 10yd line. With DCU’s Offence now gaining momentum, RB McMahon weaved his way to the 3yd line. On the resulting play TE Collins caught a pass in the endzone. DCU had struck the first blow 6-0. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful. There was 3 minutes left on the clock and the Bulls could still win with a TD and an extra point, the end of the game became very exciting.

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.

DCU Saints 32-6 Dublin Rhinos

June 9th, 2008 | Baker | Game Reports

(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.

FB Killian Roche showed DCU weren’t only about the passing game and ran in a fine 20yd TD in the fourth quarter. With over 80yds running on the day RB Dave McMahon capped his day with DCU’s fifth and final touchdown of the day.

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.

Dublin Rebels 39-0 DCU Saints

May 28th, 2008 | Baker | Game Reports