by Nathan James Sharrocks
It’s been an undesirable start to the new IAFL season, and
that’s before a game has even been played. The curtain opener last weekend had
to be postponed as adverse weather conditions took its toll on and left the pitch unplayable for the Trinity-UCD game.
Further to that the DCU Saints have pulled out of the
Shamrock Bowl Conference South this year, advising the IAFL that they will
unable to fulfil the schedule of competitive football in the season. Fixtures
were adjusted though, and the calendar for football in Ireland looks like it’s
going to be a great one.
First up in the SBC we have the University of Limerick
Vikings. The Vikes have been to the last six Shamrock Bowls, and despite being
beaten closely in the last three finals, they’re a team that knows how to win.
Ciaran O’Sullivan has stepped down from the Head Coach position, but the rest of the line up is pretty much the
same as last year, and they’ll be hungry for success.
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| Photo by Nathan James Sharrocks |
With quarterback Marc Ashworth, fullback Adrian Garvey, wide
receiver Sean Goldrick and their fearsome offensive line, the UL Vikings were
free-scoring last year.
And with the defence, led by veteran Liam Ryan who now steps awa from playing to take the HC position, shutting teams down at will they were
able to go undefeated until the Shamrock Bowl. Will this year be a similar
story? They begin the season this Sunday at University College Dublin, in the
oldest college rivalry in the IAFL, a game that UL have had the upper hand on
in the last few years, beating them 38-16 in Dublin last time around.
UCD also have a new Head Coach. John Collins steps down to
be replaced by Eoin Cunningham. But the Sentinels are a tough enough team to
deal with this change. However of their four wins last year they will only play
one of these opponents, the Cork Admirals, again this year. Will Trinity and UL
prove too much for UCD?
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| Photo by Ariane Boudias |
Well the Sentinels have always kept their losses to
close-run games and rarely get shut out. If they can take the next step up this
year, stop conceding points early in games and put points on the board then
playoffs are definitely in sight.
Trinity College Dublin are a team that have quietly gone
about their business the last few years, having despatched teams around them in
the League but falling to the more dominant teams such as UL and the Dublin
Rebels.
Having beat Cork 42-19 and their cross-city rivals UCD 22-8
last year, their challenge this year will be to stand up to the dominant UL
Vikings in the SBC South. However the Admirals and Sentinels will not roll over
for TCD and their off-season preparations will have had to have been a success
for them to reach the playoffs again this year.
Trinity’s offence is led by running back Rob McDowell, whose
insane speed and ability to break tackles has made him a formidable force in
the League for the past few years, not only in the run game but the return game
on special teams.
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| Photo by Ariane Boudias |
His play will be boosted this year with the return of Craig
Marron, who missed last year due to injury. The receiver has the ability to
stretch the field and will cause havoc with some defensive backs this year.
On defence Trinity will be looking to cause major disruption
with their giant defensive tackle, Cormac Coughlan. Linebacker Stephen Carton
will be key for them too. Having been a starter since his rookie year, Carton is
great against both the pass and rush and will be a great asset this season
The Cork Admirals struggled to three wins last year with a
tough schedule but they’ll more than take heart from their 20-16 win over the
Carrickfergus Knights and their 26-0 upset win over the strong defensive unit
of the West Dublin Rhinos.
The Admirals have strengthened this off-season, using local
media outlets to spread word of their team and run a successful rookie camp.
Strong coaching will be required but a year to adjust to the new SBC layout
before promotion and relegation may be just what Cork needs.
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| Photo by Ariane Boudias |
Their offence was only shut out twice last year, against the
two Shamrock Bowl competitors, and they managed to score on the Dublin Rebels. The
Admirals are no slouches and are capable of throwing their muscle around in the
SBC South but after last year they’re coming in to the season as somewhat of an
unknown quantity. They’ll make interesting viewing for sure, as will the entire
South conference.
