SHAMROCK BOWL XVII

Last modified on 2009-09-08 17:45:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

DUBLIN REBELS DEFEAT CARRICKFERGUS KNIGHTS IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Posted 2nd Aug 2003
By IAFL
Dublin Rebels 24 – 12 Carrickfergus Knights
Sunday 10th August 2003
Venue: Suttonians Rugby Club.

RAISING THE TROPHY

REPORT:
The Dublin Rebels won Shamrock Bowl XVII, the Championship game for the Irish American Football League after defeating defending champions, the Carrickfergus Knights at Suttonians RFC in Dublin. The game started in an explosive manner with both teams scoring on early in the 1st quarter. The Rebels scored on the first possession of the game on a 4 yard run by quarterback Andy Dennehy. Tight end Simon Mackey added a 2 point conversion to make the score 8-0. The Knights responded immediately on the first offensive series when receiver Paul McKillop caught a long pass from Stephen McDowell and took it 81 yards to the end zone. The Knights then recovered the resulting kick-off after the ball hit a Rebels player, but failed to convert this into points. The Rebels added to their lead in the second quarter when Simon Mackey scored on a 13 yard pass from Andy Dennehy, with Brian Dennehy adding the 2 point conversion to make it 16-6 at half time.

STEVE PORTEOUS – LEGEND

3rd quarter was a close affair as both defenses got on top in the very hot conditions. Running back Brian Dennehy managed to get the Rebels a first and goal, but the Knights defense held strong and got the ball back after the Rebels failed to convert a 4th down play. The Knights took over on their own 1 yard line, but conceded a safety (2 points) after running back William Cowan was tackled in his own end zone by the Rebels defense. Both team then exchanged interceptions – Chris Davidson for the Knights & Feargal O’Donnchu for the Rebels. The Knights then began to move the ball through the air with Ian McIlroy picking up a couple of first downs, then Robert Elliot made the score 18-12 with a 13 yard pass from McDowell. The Rebels then responded on their next drive which ended with a 4 yard touchdown run by the games MVP Brian Dennehy to make the final score 24-12.

TROPHY PRESENTATION

NFL International representative, Tony Allen conducted the presentation of the brand new Shamrock Bowl Perpetual Trophy to the Rebels captains after the game.

2003 SHAMROCK BOWL CHAMPS

REBELS PUT A CORK IN ADMIRALS

Last modified on 2009-07-25 13:09:21 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Posted 17th July 2003
By Andy Dennehy
DUBLIN REBELS 44 – 00 CORK ADMIRALS
Date: Sunday 13th July 2003
Venue: Pfizer Sports Ground – Cork
REPORT:
The Rebels travelled to Cork to systematically annihilate the revamped Admirals in a game that was stopped just minutes after half time. The Dublin side scored on every drive – RB Brian Dennehy carried two TDs across the line and QB Andy Dennehy passed for four TDs between his receivers. WRs Conor Ryan and Marcus Naylor scored one each as did TEs Simon Mackey and Fearghal O’Donnchu. Mackey, QB Dennehy and FB Kenny Hudson clocked up the 2pt conversions.

On the other side of the ball, the Admirals offence was utterly stifled by the powerful Rebels defence, who allowed just one first down. The game was stopped at the start of the third quarter after an Admiral received a neck injury on a kickoff return. Had it continued, the score would undoubtedly have reached 60+ to nil.

All negative, then, for the Admirals. But there are many positives for the Cork side. Firstly, their recent recruitment drive has yielded a spate of potentially good players – big, strong, fast. It also gave them to manpower to topple the Dragons in their first league win last week. And this was their first 11s match in months, so allowances have to be made for adjusting to the game.

Secondly, Cork still have that fighting spirit that makes them such a joy to play. Unfortunately, possibly due to inexperience, there was a lack of discipline that led to needless penalties and a couple of ejections. If this intensity can be harnessed into controlled aggression, the Admirals could be a formidable side.

And thirdly the Rebels have just come back from Belgium with their second Charleroi trophy and have reached the peak of their game this year. Playing a side of this calibre, with this momentum, is always going to be a tough prospect.

Nonetheless, if the Knights beat Cork this Sunday, the Admirals will have another shot at the Rebels at the second- vs third-place playoff in Greystones RFC on July 27th.

REBELS AERIAL ATTACK TAKES OFF

Last modified on 2009-07-25 13:10:24 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Posted 22nd May 2003
By Andy Dennehy

CORK ADMIRALS 12 – 40 DUBLIN REBELS
SUNDAY 18th May 2003
Venue: Greystones Rugby Club

REPORT:
The Rebels passing attack, which failed to rise above mediocre in their last two games, finally came up with the goods in this systematic trouncing of a substantially under-strength Cork team. QB Andy Dennehy totted up four passing TDs, three to TE Ferghal O’Donnchu (including a 75-yarder on the opening offensive play) and one to TE Simon Mackey. The difference was made up by RB Brian Dennehy carrying in two TDs from within the redzone, Andy Dennehy running in the 2pt conversion and Fergal O’Hanlon returning an intercepted 2pt conversion 97 yards on the last play of the game.

The scoreline does not accurately reflect the intensity of the game, which was maintained through to the final whistle. The Rebels desperately needed a big win to erase all memories of their loss at the hands of the Cowboys and the Admirals much smaller squad plugged for little victories within the loss – they came back with two TDs in the final ten minutes.

Rookies on both sides of the ball showed their worth. Rebels rookie strong safety Darragh Farrell returned two kicks for a combined total of over 80 yards, pulled down by the last man on both occasions.

But, reeling from the injury of seven of their key players, the Cork side could do no more than give a spirited performance in defeat. The Rebels offence was unstoppable, only punting once. And when the Admirals picked off a wayward pass in the Rebels redzone, Dublin’s defence held strong, regaining the ball after a tense goalline stand in the third quarter.

Apart from the two 10-yard TD passes, both exactly the same play from roughly the same field position. The only real offensive yards gained by Cork came from their bruising RB, who drove through the Rebels LBs all too often. But LBs Andy Flynn and Simon Mackey were able to do enough to keep the damage to a minimum.

For the Rebels, passing was the name of the game. Marcus Naylor, Brian Dennehy and Simon Mackey all caught a couple of passes each and Ferghal O’Donnchu picked up seven. RBs Dennehy and Naylor also provided the perfect foil in this run-n-shoot offence, exploiting a retracted defence.

It was clear that the experience of the cowboys game refined the Rebels knowledge of 8s and with such a big squad, the Cork side were always going to be worn down. Nevertheless, a solid win for the Rebels.

REBELS SLAY DRAGONS

Last modified on 2009-07-25 13:11:20 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Posted 22nd April 2003
By Andy Dennehy

DUBLIN DRAGONS 00-34 DUBLIN REBELS
SUNDAY 20th April 2003
Venue: Greystones RFC, Co. Wicklow
REPORT:
In a game dominated by brute force, Greystones Rugby Club played host to the first of this year’s Dublin derbies between the Dragons and the Rebels. The teams were third and fourth respectively in 2002 and both were looking to gain supremacy in Dublin to set the tone for the 2003 season.

The Rebels opened the scoring on their first drive when RB Brian Dennehy reached the endzone on a 20-yard run, which he converted. The Dragons offence was stifled on their opening possession by a bruising Rebels defensive line, led by the inimitable Steve Porteous.

The home side was only marginally more successful on their next possession as their passing game failed to capitalise on an inexperienced Dragons secondary. However, the Rebels defense kept the Dragons in check, with LB Kenny Hudson stuffing Dragons FB Ulli Zinneker on a number of inside runs. Rebels DE Karl “Pass” Rushe caused more havoc in the backfield, totting up three sacks and a forced-and-recovered fumble. The Dragons defense stepped up a gear in the second quarter but the struggling offence failed to put points on the board and continued to yield turnovers. Rebels LB Simon Mackey ran back a 40-yard interception return just before the break to put the Rebels up 14-0. It was not converted.

By the third quarter, the fire in the dragons belly seemed to have been quenched, as the Rebels offensive and defensive lines pounded the Dragons. Solid blocking by Shane Campbell and Dave Rothwell opened holes for RB Dennehy to pile on the yardage, eventually leading to a TD by TE Fearghal O’Donnchu on a 5-yard pass. 20-0 The Dragons responded with a ferocious effort, pulling together and moving the ball to the Rebels 3-yard line. But once again the flame fizzled out, as LBs Hudson and Andy Flynn marshaled the goalline and turned the ball back over to the home team. 97 offensive yards later, RB Dennehy scored on a 5-yard run, which he converted. 28-0. The Dragons then turned to the pass, with QB John Durrad doing his utmost to avoid the swarming Rebels defensive line. Unfortunately for the Maroon Meat-Eating Mastadons, rookie CBs Pat Quinn and Kevin Finnegan denied Mr D an open receiver, with Finnegan picking up his second interception of the season.

The cake was baked, glazed with honey and topped with marzipan by the fourth quarter. The icing was applied when RB Dennehy ran through a gaping hole, opened by sponge-fingers Campbell and Rothwell, to carry the ball 24-yards into the endzone on a run that would have given “Sweetness” himself diabetes. It was not converted. 34-0. The Rebels lines dominated this game, of that there is no doubt. Perhaps Dragons LB/FB Zinneker had an off-day, as his presence was more understated than usual. Regardless, this win puts the Rebels at the top of the table and breaks the defensive deadlock between the two teams. Only one offensive TD was scored in these games last year, and that came on the first drive of the first match.

REBELS LOSE OPENER

Last modified on 2009-07-25 13:12:13 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Posted 31st March 2003
By: IAFL

DUBLIN REBELS 14 – 20 CARRICKFERGUS KNIGHTS
SUNDAY 30th March 2003
Venue: Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus
REPORT:
Defending National Champions, Carrickfergus Knights defeated the Dublin Rebels in a close contest at Woodburn Road. The Rebels scored on their first possession of the game – a 2 yard run by Marcus Naylor, however, the key play in their scoring drive was a 65 yard breakaway run by Brian Dennehy. The Knights responded quickly, also scoring on their first possession – a 32 yard pass from Quarterback Stephen McDowell to receiver Ian McIlroy. In the second quarter, an interception by Knights linebacker Scott Robinson stopped the Rebels in Knights territory & McDowell marched the team downfield culminating in a 9 yard touchdown pass to McIlroy. There was no further scoring in the first half.

Both defenses had the upper hand in the third quarter as both offenses were prevented from getting much yardage. The Knights took the lead in the in the fourth quarter when receiver William Shaw scored on an end-around reverse play. Ian McIlroy scored a crucial 2 point conversion to give the Knights a 14 point lead with just over 5 minutes remaining in the game. The Rebels responded when Brian Dennehy scored a 28 yard touchdown on a sweep play and Mark Kelly got the 2 point conversion to bring the Rebels within one score of the Knights. The Rebels defense stopped the Knights again on their next possession. They got the ball back with less than 2 minutes to go, but the Knights defense held strong to seal victory for them in the first Division 1 game of the 2003 IAFL season.