DCU Saints 6-28 Cork Admirals
July 16th, 2006 | | Game Reports
Admirals win on a hot day in Dublin
Scorers:
1st Quarter; (COR)Keith O’Callaghan 35yd Run
2nd Quarter; (COR)Keith O’Callaghan 27yd pass from David Lomasney, Alain Pezeron 2xpt
3rd Quarter; (DCU)David McMahon 6yd run
4th Quarter; (COR)Alain Pezeron 5yd run, Alain Pezeron 2xpt, (COR)Hugh McBratney 15yd pass from David Lomasney
The Cork Admirals kept their playoff hopes alive with a victory over the DCU saints at ALSAA sports grounds. Sweltering heat, with temperatures in the high 20s coupled with the intensity of the game made life difficult for both squads.During the first quarter the visitors gained the lead when, after good stops from the Cork defense, inclunding linebakcers Ibrahim Khadra and Dave Twohig, the Admirals rushing attack, lead by strong rushing by Alain Pezeron moved the ball into the DCU half for a Keith O’Callagahn score. David Lomasney extended the Admirals lead in the second quarter when he hit O’Callaghan in the corner of the endzone for a 27 yard score, which Pezeron converted.
DCU lifted their performance in the third quarter. After stopping the Admirals offense in the DCU redzone the Saints offense, led by elusive runners QB Conor Buggle and HB David McMahon, moved the ball the rest of the way for a McMahon score. During the 4th quarter the visitors lifted their play and moved the ball into scoring range via runs from James Gallagher, Shane Galway and Lomasney, behind excellent blocking by the Admirals line. Pezeron and Hugh McBratney each scored during this period to make the final score 28-6.
Despite fielding a team of mainly rookies the Saints had some impressive moments and will be a very competitive team next season.The Admirals move to 3-3-1 and need to win at home against the Bulls next week to hold onto the final playoff spot.
DCU Saints 8-25 Dublin Dragons
July 2nd, 2006 | | Game Reports
Venue: ALSAA, Dublin Airport.
Scorers:
1st quarter:
DUB: Sean Power 25yd Field Goal (3-0).
2nd quarter:
DCU: Sean Whelan 7yd run, Shane Maguire 2xpt (3-8);
DUB: Lez Connolly 1yd run, Karl Byrne 2xpt (11-8);
DUB: Sean Power 80yd run (17-8).
3rd quarter:
DUB: Barry Reynolds 32yd pass from John Durrad, Sean Power 2xpt (25-8)
4th quarter:
No scoring.
Game Report.
The Dublin Dragons remained in contention for the play-offs with a 25 to 8 victory over the DCU Saints at ALSAA in Dublin. Up and coming young players from both sides had a great impact on the game with 3 of the games 4 touchdowns coming from rookies.
The Dragons got off to a good start, driving downfield on their opening possession with a drive that lasted half the opening quarter. Sean Power scored a 25yd field goal to give them an early 3-0 lead after the Saints defense prevented a touchdown. After punting on their next possession, Saints linebacker Cathal O’Callaghan recovered a Dragons fumble early in the second quarter to give DCU the ball in good field position. However the Dragons defense, led by Nick Newby prevented the Saints from scoring. After stopping the Dragons deep in their own half midway through the second quarter, the Saints special teams unit got the ball on the Dragons 2 yard line after the Dragons failed to get off a punt. The Saints capitalised by taking the lead on a short yardage run by running back Sean Whelan
which was converted by Shane Maguire. However, the Dragons responded immediately. A couple of long first down runs by their backfield got them a first and goal which fullback Lez Connolly converted into a short yardage touchdown. Karl Byrne got the tow point conversion. The Dragons then extended their lead just before the two minute warning when running back Sean Power broke free after taking a hand-off on his own 20 yard line and sprinted the remaining 80 yards for a spectacular touchdown to give the Dragons a 17-8 lead at the half.
The second half featured some great defensive plays by both teams. The biggest defensive play of the half came early in the third quarter when safety Dave Wheeler intercepted a Saints pass in full sprint and returned it into the Saints half. The Dragons capitalised on this turnover, when tight end Barry Reynolds caught a 32 yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Durrad. This touchdown was important in that it changed the tactical balance of the game and from that point onwards, the Dragons concentrated on contolling the clock while the Saints were forced to chase the game. Saints defenders, including Steinmetz, Callanan and Cosgrave had a good half and prevented the Dragons from getting another score, stopping them on 4th down deep in the Saints half during the fourth quarter. However, the Dragons defense, with Newby, Noyes and Wheeler, had a very strong half, and
was a major factor in the Dragons victory.
The Dragons play-off fate will depend on winning at least one of their two remaining games, both of which are against tough opposition – the Rebels and Knights. The Saints have one more game, against Cork, to finish their rookie season. There is only one game in the IAFL next weekend – a rematch of last years Shamrock Bowl final – between the Belfast Bulls and Dublin Rebels.