Dublin Rebels 62 @ 06 Craigavon Cowboys
People’s Park, Portadown
April 28th 2013

Despite playing and losing their first away game of the year against the West Dublin Rhinos 2 weeks ago, the Rebels hit the road for reals and headed North to play their first of 3 games in as many weeks against Northern opposition. The 7-6 loss was now in the rear view mirror as the Rebels looked ahead up the long highway to the Shamrock Bowl. Luckily for the Rebels the players brought more balls onto the pitch than game manager Mick Clarke brought onto the bus and it was clear from the off that the road team were out to make a statement to the rest of the league that “Black Is Back”.

Looking to capture the IAFL rushing record for 2013, running back Simon Mackey, probably fresh from an early morning Ben Dunne session with Smith & Wesson, put up 3 rushing TDs in the first quarter alone with 2 point conversions to boot to put the Rebels ahead by a surprising 24 points. With low squad numbers amongst Ireland’s original American Football team, the Cowboys seemed happy to sit back and try stemming the flow of arterial gridiron pressure being pumped by the Rebels “Reservoir Pigs” O-line. The absence of Cowboys starting QB Peter Loughran didn’t help the home side as they struggled to create any offensive momentum against the Rebel’s stingy No Name Defense. The Rebels however reminded the league that they are not just a running game team when QB Andy Dennehy connected with rookie tight end Peter Keely on a pretty rainbow over the Cowboys secondary. He also connected with receiver Gary Sommerville on a quick strike and a customary bomb over the top for 2 TDs. Mackey added another TD to his haul to give him 9 this season after only 4 games. Defensive players got in on the scoring act also with defensive tackle Ger O’ Leary forcing his Northern counterparts into conceding a safety. Defensive back Senan O’ Mahony picked off an errant throw by 18 year old Cowboys QB Christian Cowan and took it back to the house to score the Rebels second pick 6 of the year. The home side scored a TD of their own when receiver Ryan Brolly snagged a deep ball in the Rebels endzone. Despite a flattering score line of 62-6, one thing you always get playing Northern teams is physical game and it was no different on this occasion. A stout Cowboys defensive line made the Rebels O work for their treats and showed why they are around since the dawn of the IAFL.

The Rebels boarded the bus with a W in the back pocket and enjoyed the drink fuelled, Burger King smelling journey back home with the upcoming Trojans game seeping into their thoughts. Rookies were made perform like circus monkeys; some were horrid, some were meh, but none were Paul Grogan, the songbird of our generation. The win puts the Rebels at 3-1, trailing the 4-0 Belfast Trojans at the top of the SBC North. Back to back games against the National Champions in Dublin and Belfast in the next 2 weeks will decide the wearer of the Northern crown and the right to face the wild-card winners in the SBC South. Be sure to catch the first of these mouth watering clashes this Sunday at 2pm in Sportslink Santry.

Scorers:
1st Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 8-0
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 16-0
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 24-0
2nd Quarter
Pass by A. Dennehy to P.Keely (2pc successful) 32-0
Pass by A. Dennehy to G. Sommerville (2pc unsuccessful) 38-0
Safety by G. O’ Leary 40-0
Half time Dublin Rebels 40-0 Craigavon Cowboys 0

3rd Quarter
Run by S.Mackey (2pc successful) 48-0
Pass by A. Dennehy to G. Sommerville (2pc successful) 56-0
4th Quarter
Pass by C. Cowan to R. Brolly (XP unscuccessful) 56-6
INT Return by S. O’ Mahony (2pc unsuccessful) 62-6
Final Score Dublin Rebels 62 Craigavon Cowboys 6

Report by Gary Sommerville

On the 10th April 2013, 6 of the Rebel’s current squad visited Our Lady Children’s Hospital Crumlin, to meet the kids and give them a break from their regular day to day activities. On the day itself we had 3 players kitted up and another 3 with pads and helmets for the kids to try on along with giving them all lollipops and
some toys.

Joe Buckly meets the Rebels players

We were taken around all the different wards on the day, and met kids that were not even one week old to kids who were in their mid-teens. All the kids were very receptive of our visit and shared their stories with us and they also had fun trying on the helmet and pads. A few have told us to watch our backs as they are coming
for our places in a few years, one kid told me he is going to be at our next training session and wants to play running back, so Simon Mackey watch out.

These kids are true warriors, no matter what hardships life has thrown at them, they have gotten and fought on through it with their families by their side and with the incredible work that the nurses, doctors and the volunteers provide.

Rebels players hanging with Oliver Kelly

We want to thank Conall Mac Riocaird who made it possible for us to attend to the hospital, to all the ward nurses and staff, the 2 medical interns Katie Duggan and Dan O’Day but we want to say a special thanks to June Farrell who brought us to all the wards and gave us an insight into what goes on day to day in the hospital but most of all we want to thank the kids themselves for taking the time to meet with us and share the stories.

Apr 15th 2013
Dublin Rhinos 07 – 06 Dublin Rebels

After starting the season 0-3 and just one week removed from a 23-0 beating, the Dublin Rhinos tore up the form book and scored a massive upset over the Dublin Rebels. After a heavy loss to the Craigavon Cowboys, Head Coach Mark Lawless could have been forgiven for looking at a date with Ireland’s most successful side as a
particularly unwelcome fixture. Instead, the Rhinos, led by first-time starting quarterback Jonny Northcutt, dug deep and withstood everything the Rebels had to throw at them in a thrilling final quarter.

The day hadn’t started particularly well for the Rhinos, who ceded possession early in their first drive, then struggled to contain the Rebels running game. Simon Mackey, who had dominated the February meeting between the sides, picked up where he left off and gashed the Rhinos defence for a rushing touchdown, his third against
the men in red this season. Andy Dennehy’s pass was deflected on the two-point conversion, leaving the Rhinos 6-0 down.

Any foreboding or sense of déjà-vu was premature, however, as the Rhinos reacted excellently to the score, clogging the middle of the line and delivering a number of big hits, first Barry Bolton getting to Mackey, then Fintan Corr separating Andrew McMahon and the ball. The impetus created by the defence spurred the offence, and Northcutt on.

The second quarter saw the Rhinos march down the field, with Robert Pops and Shaun Douglas both gaining yards as the wind played havoc with any notion of a passing game developing on either side. On a third and eight from the Rebels 22, however, that notion would be exploded. Northcutt took the snap and retreated, eyes downfield, before arcing a perfect pass over the head of Keith Foster. Alex McGuirk, whose catching chances had been limited throughout the day, showed no signs of rust as he rose spectacularly before bringing the ball in safely in the endzone. Paul Hosford added the point after, to give the Rhinos a one-point margin at the break.

The second half would become a war of attrition, with penalties pock-marking the game and the tension ratcheted up. The Rhinos defence would force a turnover on downs before a fourth quarter showdown on their own goal line.

With a fourth and goal just inches from the line, the Rebels snap was fumbled and Stephen Byrne gratefully dived on it. The Rhinos would punt before having to make another goal line stand with time running out. Dennehy scrambled for what felt like an eternity, before firing a dart that would fall incomplete as the clock expired and the Rhinos claimed their first-ever win over their cross-town rivals. Final score Rhinos 7 -6 Rebels.

Report by Rhino69

Many thanks to Mark Lawless for permission to use this report.

Picture by Robert Francis

Carrickfergus Knights @ Dublin Rebels
Sportslink Santry
7th of April 2013
Rebels 20 – 06 Knights

After a hormonal few weeks, Mother Nature settled down and cleared the skies across the Emerald Isle to allow service to resume in the IAFL. Having lost 2 games to the adverse weather conditions, the Dublin Rebels were looking to get back on the horse and over furlongs in the race for the SBC North title. Their opponents were the Carrickfergus Knights in their first meeting since a 40-34 slobber knocker in April of last year. The Knights had already kicked off to a 2-0 start in the North after vanquishing both the Rhinos and Cowboys in their first 2 games and we looking to bowl a turkey and get a third win on the spin.

The away side received the opening kickoff but good coverage play by the Rebels ensured the Knights would have to fight their way out of their own red zone. It was evident that the Rebels D-Line was chomping at the bit after more than a month without action. This desire to dish out pain was exemplified when Knights QB Adam Devenney was engulfed by no less than 3 Rebels defenders including DE Gary Twamley and linebacker Bobby Salami in the opening drive which resulted in a quick 3 and out. Despite conditions indicating a day for the Rebels passing game to flourish, it was the ol’ reliable run game spear headed by running backs Simon Mackey and Sam Hodgins which gobbled up the yards and put the home side in scoring range. Impressive edge-sealing from rookie Tight End Peter Keeley and H-Back Paul Grogan created the space for Mackey who in what has become somewhat of a tradition, lowered the noodle and crushed a defensive back as he crossed the goal line for the opening score.

The Knights would struggle on offense in the first half, bar some nifty snags over the middle from receiver Paul McKillop and would go on to concede good field position. However it would be the Rebels defense who would put up the second TD of the day when stud linebacker Kevin Finnegan picked off an errant throw and scampered down the Rebels sideline quicker than you can say topless Hollister model to make it 14-0 to the home side. Despite the Knights getting pressure on Rebels QB Andy Dennehy he still managed to connect with his slot receiver tandem of Keeley and Grogan to ensure the Knights D would not crowd the box to play the run. The Rebels thought they had their first passing TD of the 2013 season when Dennehy floated a pass into the back corner of the endzone. Despite ricocheting off a defenders helmet, receiver Gary Sommerville managed to reel it in with one hand (there is evidence I swear) however a poorly positioned official ruled it incomplete and the Rebels came away empty handed. This may have served as momentum changer in this clash but the Knights could not find the offensive consistency to keep the chains moving and make up the deficit. Consequently the Rebels would go onto further their advantage in the second half when Mackey notched up his fourth rushing TD of the season to make it 20-0 to the Rebels. Before half time complacency seemingly set in amongst the Rebels D and a jump ball at the 5 yard line was plucked from the skies by Knights tight end Stephen Ireland and marked the first TD given up by the Rebels this year.

Similar to their first league outing against the Rhinos, offensive momentum stalled for the Rebels as they got dragged into a mistake filled, penalty riddled 3rd and 4th quarter in which no points were registered for either side. Bright spots however included a diving interception from rookie receiver and part time defensive back Chris Purdy as the defense kept doing their thing lead by Coaches Flynn and Archibald.

The full time score of 20-6 gave the Rebels their second home win of the season and marks the start of a tough schedule of 5 games in 7 weeks with still 2 games against the IAFL champs Belfast Trojans to play. Next up for the Rebels is an away fixture to the 0-3 West Dublin Rhinos who slipped dangerously into relegation territory after a defeat at the hands of the Craigavon Cowboys.

Scorers:
1st Quarter: Run by S. Mackey (2 PC unsuccessful) 0-6, INT return by K. Finnegan (2PC unsuccessful) 0-12
Pass by A. Devenney to S. Ireland (FG No good) 6-12
2nd Quarter: Run by S. Mackey (2 PC successful) 6-20
3rd Quarter: No score
4th Quarter: No score
Full time Score: Carrickfergus Knights 6 Dublin Rebels 20

Report by Gary Sommerville

Steve Porteous

I have the privilege to speak for a couple of minutes about one of my best friends. This year started very badly with the passing of a legend and it is only fitting that it ends with his induction to the Rebels Hall of Fame.

Thanks to Twerg and Paraic for helping me gather some of the memories.

Steve Porteous (his stage name) as everyone in Ireland knew him commanded respect whether you were a teammate or an opponent. Having Steve in the middle of the line provided a really solid base for the defense and there are a lot of O Line men out there who must have hated playing against him including our own in training, I know we always looked forward to the games to give our bodies a rest. He had amazing speed over short distances for such a big man, immensely strong and when he hit you, you stayed hit! Playing behind him made me look good because all I had to do was step over the bodies strewn left and right. Apart from his presence on the pitch, the thing we all remember about Steve was he was always smiling. Even if he was annoyed and grumpy, he’d still flash that big smile and he always lifted the players around him. His attitude really rubbed off on others and we were better players and happier people because of him. He’s also probably the only 20 stone man to be called “Little Steve” which happened after Steve Wilson joined.

Brian Dennehy and Paraic Reddington were having a beer at the Racecourse Inn Baldoyle and they saw this man mountain sitting at the bar. Quote “He had a neck like a pack of hotdogs and we were sure he would make a good football player”. The world’s most underrated statement by Paraic. We were eventually introduced and he came down to play for the Dublin Tigers.. He would then play with the Rebels. He won a shamrock bowl with the Tigers in 1999, then all the Rebels ones from 2001 until he retired. He also went to Charleroi with just 9 of us and 3 of the most respected Dragons. Most importantly, he scored a (in his own words) 90 yard TD fumble recovery which he’s immensely proud of (in reality, it was a 3 yard return and he had to be carried the last 2 yards, but let’s give the man his glory !).

Off the pitch he was the funniest man I have ever met. He spent a weekend in a caravan in Wexford once. He brought a big TV with him so he could watch movies there. Anyway, the TV was too big for the caravan doorway so Steve had to pass it in the large back window of the caravan. The sight of a huge black man passing a TV IN a window must have been a real puzzle for the locals.Paraic and a couple of others went skiing with Steve in Arinsal in Andorra and it quickly became apparent that Steve was not made for the snow. He couldn’t get the concept of gravity and how it would affect him. On the very first day and the very first lesson he stepped into his skis while pointing up the mountain. He promptly started sliding backways down the mountain. He had no idea how to stop so he bent forward and grabbed his feet – thereby travelling down the mountain with his arse in the air at an ever increasing speed. He wiped out a class of beginner kids who have no doubt been in counselling ever since. He gave up skiing at that moment and that evening we came down from a day on the slopes to find him in the local bar, topless, having just won a “Dance like your Dad” competition.

On the pitch the laughter never stopped either, and when he tormented opposing players telling them which gap he was coming through and then watching QBs frantically calling changes to the play to try and get away from him, all we could do was laugh pick them up off the ground and guide them back to their own huddle, it was enough to put them right off their game.Steve loved the game and could not leave it, He became a coach and then would sneak his gear with him (totally against doctors orders)

When I was to coach with Steve at trinity I was made up, I was on a coaching course as he took charge of the team, That was the last time I spoke with him as he went home that evening full of the joys of the world, He was back in football.Steve will be remembered as one of the true forces in the American Football family and everyone has a storey to tell about how he affected the lives of all he came in contact with literally and otherwise. He had the ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world and He was and still is loved by everyone who has ever met him. I promised Him that we would sit back on our deck chairs overlooking our boys (who are the same age) playing ball while we have a beer. I know he is preparing the decking chilling the beer and getting someone ELSE to mark the pitch, and when the time is right we are all invited to join in and play ball with my friend my brother my captain.

Interested in playing with the Dublin Rebels starting with their 2013 season.

If you have any interest in playing with the Rebels just join this event and we will be in contact shortly.

NO EXPERIENCE is required as you will be given the best coaching available in Ireland from the 7 times National Champions. In addition we will supply you with the necessary equipment to get you started.

So no matter what level of experience you have get in touch today. We are also looking for a small number of non playing staff to help develop the club over the next 3-5 years. Anyone with experience in coaching and/or Admin roles we would like to hear from you!

Check out our Facebook

Or email us on play@dublinrebels.com

The Dublin Rebels today announced they have teamed up with The Bath Pub to bring you the Official Dublin Rebels Tailgate Party for the NCAA fixture of Notre Dame Vs Navy being played in the Aviva Stadium on September 1st 2012.

The Bath Pub. www.thebathpub.ie is located on Bath Avenue in Dublin 4, only 500 yards away from the main entrance to the Aviva Stadium.

In typical Rebels style we will transform the Bath Pub into the ultimate pre and post match venue with everything red, white and blue.

We will have some of the Dublin Rebels players there to get some pictures in and also the famous Dublin Rebels Cheerleaders will be on hand to really heat things up. In keeping with a true American football tradition we will host the best Tailgate party you will find anywhere in Dublin with everything from authentic American style BBQ to special drinks promotions all weekend.  And for those who have not managed to secure a ticket to this sell out event, don’t worry as The Bath is the closest pub to the Aviva Stadium so join us for the pre and post game madness, embrace the atmosphere and watch Notre Dame Vs Navy live on big screens.

Pre-game coverage will start at 12pm so get down early to secure your seat.

for more information goto https://www.facebook.com/events/342992145788026/