Irish Football Round-up

The Shamrock Bowl Conference roller coaster continues. The Cork Admirals pulled out of their second straight game prior to the weekend before we got a Sunday filled with superb football action. Then the steep downward spiral as the Admirals announced that they would no longer be able to fulfil their schedule and are dissolving as a club. 

Unfortunately the Cork Admirals will be no more - photo by Ariane Boudias

SBC North

Craigavon Cowboys 6 - 62 Dublin Rebels

How do you bounce back from a difficult defeat? With the biggest scoring result of the Irish Leagues so far this year, that's how!

The Dublin Rebels' 7-6 loss to the West Dublin Rhinos must have been difficult to take but a huge day by the SBC's leading rushing touchdown scorer, Simon Mackey, helped them return to winning form immediately.

It was somewhat of a shame for Craigavon, who lost their number one quarterback Peter Loughran, who was having a great year himself, to broken fingers, suffered against the Belfast Trojans last weekend. As a result their offence had to change tack and they couldn't really get going. However 18 year old Christian Cowan stepped up bravely to replace Loughran, gaining valuable match experience and scoring his first TD to receiver Ryan Brolly.

Mackey scored four touchdowns along the ground, taking him to nine this season so far, as well as converting five 2-pt attempts. Experienced quarterback, Andy Dennehy, added three touchdowns through the air, two to wide-out Gary Sommerville and one to tight end Peter Keely. A Senan O'Mahony pick six and a Gerard O'Leary safety on defence rounded off the scoring for the impressive Rebels. 

This victory sets up the top of the table, back-to-back clashes of the Trojans and Rebels very nicely. They're going to be two special games to behold!

Carrickfergus Knights 14 - 7 West Dublin Rhinos

The Rhinos headed North buoyed by their first win (and points for that matter) of the season against the Dublin Rebels. But they were going to return with nothing but disappointment as the Knights came out with the win. 

West Dublin have improved the majorly the last couple of weeks, getting back to the powerful defensive team that grinds teams down and puts points on the board. Jonathan Northcutt got his second passing touchdown in two games for the away team, this time hitting Wellington Omorodion for 6 points.

Running back, Niall O'Hara scored for the Knights along the ground before experienced quarterback Adam Devenney doubled their lead by finding tight end Phil Gunning for the score. It was an important win for the Knights who now cement their place in the third playoff place with four points gap between them and the chasing Cowboys and Rhinos.

SBC South

No games in the SBC South this week but plenty to talk about. The Cork Admirals announced that they were folding midway through the season, adding to the pre-season demise of DCU. UL and UCD have already been handed confirmed 30-0 wins for the two most recently forfeited games but it is expected that all of Cork's games will be called as 30-0 losses, including the one already played, as per IAFL by-laws.

It is a massive shame for Cork. The 11-year old team have suffered their fair share of highs and lows in the league, making the 2007 Shamrock Bowl but losing 22-14 against a well drilled UL Vikings side. 

All at Double Coverage wish the coaches and players of the Cork Admirals the best wishes and hope that Cork can raise a team from the ashes of the Admirals team. 

Scoring Charts

IAFL-1

Mullingar Minotaurs 6 - 6 Meath Bulldogs

The Minotaurs continue their fledgling season with their first point in the IAFL-1 after a tough 6-6 tie against Meath. 

Coach Drake and his team headed to Mullingar expecting a difficult game against the Minotaurs who impressed on their first competitive game a fortnight ago against Drogheda. The Bulldogs put points on the board quickly, with a 20 yard run by quarterback Eddie McMahon but mistakes throughout the game stalled Meath's offence.

The Minotaurs bounced back with a pick six from linebacker Adam Corcoran to tie the game up. Mullingar will probably be the happier of the two teams but both teams showed strong defence that will set them in good stead for the year ahead. It's still early days in IAFL-1 but it's shaping up to be an extremely close and exciting season.

Scoring Charts