DCU American Football Club

Cork Admirals 2-6 DCU Saints

May 10th, 2010 | Baker | Game Reports

Article on IAFL Webite & more pics

DCU Saints hosted Cork Admirals at the DCU Sports ground for an eagerly awaited rematch of the close encounter from last year when DCU were victorious in a tight low scoring game. Both sides were missing key players and were testing each other out for the first couple of drives. Both offensives made progress only for the defense to step up and stop the drives. The first quarter was scoreless.

Starting the second quarter, DCU Saints led by QB Scott Misfud and with rookie RB Rudi Corcoran put together a drive that got DCU into the Cork Redzone. Misfud handed off to Corcoran who bounced outside for a diving TD.

DCU Saints went for the extra point but the blocked kick resulted in the Cork defense picking up the ball and running back for a safety. Score DCU 6-2 Cork.

Cork responded from the kickoff with a mazy, darting run from WR Eric Tkascik bringing the ball into Saints half. However the offense stalled and DCU took over. The pattern of play remained like this until the last two minutes of the quarter when DCU took over possession in their redzone and quickly moved the ball up the field and got into Corks redzone until the clock ran out.

The second half of the game was again very tight. Both teams traded interceptions and the hits at times were ferocious. With both teams running the ball primarily, the clock ran continously until both teams found themselves with minutes left. Once again Cork put on a drive that looked like it may crack the Saints defense. Cork’s WR Eric Tsascik caught a pass over the middle and was clattered by Safety Conor Buggle and incredibly held onto the ball when he landed. Cork had used up their time outs and went with a hurry up offense. The DCU backfield stood resolute and held back the pressure. With only, the Cork QB went to the air and passed long. Safety Conor Buggle who also was returning punts during the game, intercepted the ball and held onto it as the game ended. DCU were relieved to get their first win of the season.

West Dublin Rhinos 15-8 DCU Saints

April 20th, 2010 | Baker | Game Reports

Scoring
Q1
6-0 Rhinos: Ross Carrick, reception from Steven macken. PAT wide.
Q2
13-0 Rhinos: Barry Bolton, fumble recovery in endzone. PAT good (Sean Power).
Q4
13-8 Saints: Willie Coyne, reverse. 2 PAT good (Dave McMahon).
15-8 Rhinos: Safety.

League Report

Dublin Rebels 40 – 6 DCU Saints

April 15th, 2010 | Baker | Game Reports

Q1
7-0 Rebels: Barry Flinn, 25-yard reception from Andy Dennehy. (PAT good).
Q2
13-0 Rebels: Sam Hodgins 95-yard run. (PAT failed).
Q3
20-0 Rebels: David McKeating recovered blocked punt in the endzone. (PAT good).
Q4
26-0 Rebels: Aaron Smith 25-yard run. (PAT failed).
26-6 Saints: David McMahon 7-yard run. (2xpt failed).
33-0 Rebels: Sam Hodgins 12-yard run. (PAT good).
40-0 Rebels: Aaron Smith 15-yard run. (PAT good).

DCU Saints 15 – 28 Trinity College

March 16th, 2010 | Baker | Game Reports

(Pic by Dominic McKeown)

DCU Saints scorers:
Dave McMahon & Sean Glennon xpt
Scott Mifsud & Dave McMahon 2xpt

Saints Secure Final Playoff Spot

July 7th, 2009 | Baker | Game Reports

The last game of the regular season was going to be a tense affair. DCU Saints were one of three teams playing that day for the remaining playoff spot. The Cork Admirals were DCU’s final opponent and also one of the three teams aiming to make the post season.
DCU had never beaten Cork Admirals before and Cork beat DCU Saints earlier on in the season down in Cork.
On a wet and dreary day in Alsaa, Dublin Airport, the DCU Saints started on defence and immediately showed their intent to battle for a victory. Forcing Cork to Punt, DCU took possession and began to run the ball on the ground. DCU were rusty and gave away a number of penalties and were forced to Punt. This exchange continued throughout the first quarter and into the second quarter. Stout defence by both teams meant that little progress was made running the ball and windy wet weather made the passing game difficult.
Early in the second quarter DCU Saints started a drive that finished with RB Paul McCloud diving into the endzone for the first score of the game. QB Geoff Coleman ran in 2 xpts and the score was DCU 8 – Cork Admirals 0.
From then on, the battle between the two teams was tremendous. The DCU defensive Line of Vinny Flood, Stephen Connor, Conor O’Sullivan and Gary Fogarty were heroic in their efforts to stop the Cork Running game. Cork did make a couple of trips close to DCU’s endzone but players like Alex Trimble intercepted or helped turn over the ball on downs.
DCU continued to give away penalties and didn’t make life easy for itself. Dave McMahon had a great game running the ball and alternated with Paul McCloud and Lorcan Sherlock. However DCU couldn’t make the final breakthrough and after a spate of frustrating procedural penalties gave Cork the ball with 3 minutes left in the game. Once again the DCU Defense stood firm and stopped Cork making the necessary first down and DCU took possession with just over a minute left on the clock. DCU were able to kneel for the victory. DCU achieved playoff status and secured a semi-final spot against the Dublin Rebels on July 26th.

Cork Admirals 0 – 8 DCU Saints

DCU Saints 6 – 27 Dublin Rebels

June 16th, 2009 | Baker | Game Reports

Read the official Dublin Rebels game report here.

DCU Saints 0 – 52 Cork Admirals

May 31st, 2009 | Baker | Game Reports

DCU Saints 22 – 14 West Dublin Rhinos

May 13th, 2009 | Baker | Game Reports

DCU Saints travelled to Castleknock to play West Dublin Rhinos on 10th May. The two teams played earlier in the season and shared a 18-18 tie game. This time both teams were eager to walk away with bragging rights.

DCU took the kick off and drove up the field getting numerous first downs, a reverse by WR Conor Buggle made excellent yardage, strong running by RB Dave McMahon and great catching by TE Brian Gilbourne brought the DCU saints to 7 yds from Rhinos endzone. Dave McMahon ran the ball in after great blocking from the Offensive Line. QB Cormac Eklof connected with Geoff Coleman who caught a high ball and turned into the endzone for 2 extra points.DCU Saints Defense took to the field, fired up from watching the Offense score in their opening drive. The Defense immediately stamped its authority, forcing Rhinos to punt, the punter was accidently hit, thus giving the Rhinos 15 yds and a first down. Once again the defense stood firm and Rhinos punted.

(Photos by Janice McConnell)

DCU Saints Offense retook the field and after a stuttering start, moved up the field as Brian Gilbourne and Dave McMahon made first down after first down and brought the Saints to the Rhinos redzone. Cormac Eklof called a pass play and duly delivered a ball into the corner of the end zone into the hands of Geoff Coleman. The 2xpt attempt was unsuccessful.

DCU Defense turned the ball over on downs. DCU Offense couldn’t capitalize and Ronan Murphy punted. The Rhinos once again found the Saints defense tough to break and punted – the punt fell into the arms of LB Eoin Fox, who saw glory and a beckoning NFL contract with the Raiders and started to sprint upfield. Eoin built up a head steam before being ankle tapped and tackled bring the Saints to the half way line. Dream was dashed. The Rhinos Defense started to raise its game and when DCU Offense made some errors, Rhinos held firm and DCU punted. A poor snap to the kicker allowed the Rhinos block the punt and recovered the ball on Saints 40. Their running game started to make some slow headway,until their QB passed long to their WR Steve Mooney, for a TD. The Rhino kicked an extra point. Score was now Rhinos 7 – DCU Saints 14. The Saints Offense took to the field with less than 90 seconds remaining in the half. Going for the score, DCU didnt get the first down and punted. The Rhinos had 8 seconds for one play that the defense stuffed when Gary Fogarty and Vinny Flood combined to sack the QB.

The opening Offensive drive for DCU didnt go well and DCU punted. The Rhinos Offense started with some fire inside them after their half-time break and started to move the ball slowly downfield and aided when penalties went their way, they found themselves in Saints redzone. On fourth down with 8 yds to go, MLB Joe Carlyle stopped the Rhinos as their QB draw came close when Joe tackled their QB on the 1yd line. DCU Saints Offense took the field knowing that they must score. Successfully directed by QB Cormac Eklof, the Saints charged upfield. The Saints moved the ball well on the ground with Joe Carlyle sharing ball carries with Dave McMahon. The quarter ended and starting into the fourth quarter, QB Cormac Eklof connected with WR Geoff Coleman and then again to WR Sam Monson to bring the ball to the 1yd line. RB Dave McMahon ran the ball in for his second TD again behind the blocking of an excellent Offensive Line . Rookie Shaun Goss playing in his first game caught the pass from Cormac Eklof for the 2xpts. The score was now Rhinos 7 – DCU Saints 22.

Kicker Ronan Murphy boomed the kick off and Rhinos started from their 7 yds out from their endzone. On third down, their QB, Stephen Macken connected for 30yds. This gave them momentum and they made some big plays thru their TE, Barry Bolton and Sean Power ran the ball in to score their second TD of the day. They kicked a 1xpt. The score was now Rhinos 14 – DCU Saints 22.

Rhinos attempted an Onside kick but a diving Offensive lineman Dave Byrne pounced on the ball giving the Offense excellent field position. Penalties and good defense from the Rhinos once again forced the offense to punt and put the Rhinos deep into their redzone.With time running out the Rhinos attempted one last drive. They broke out of their endzone with a run and a first down. The Rhinos had under 2 minutes to score. DCU Saints Defense had different ideas, OLB Gary Fogarty swapped with DE Vinny Flood and promptly sacked the QB on consecutive plays and tackled the RB for a loss. Rhinos passed incomplete and the DCU Offense took to the field and kneeled to close out the game. DCU came out of the game with a satisfactory win and no major injuries and have two weeks of practice before our next game in Cork versus the Cork Admirals on May 31st.

Game MVP: Dave McMahon scored 2 TD’s bringing his season total to 5

Belfast Trojans 22 – 26 DCU Saints

April 29th, 2009 | Baker | Game Reports

DCU hosted the Belfast Trojans at Alsaa on 26th April. The two teams had never met each other in a competitive match before so it was set to be an interesting game. Both teams were light on numbers but this didnt stop the game turning out into a hard fought battle that excited the small crowd of spectators.

Belfast Trojans

DCU Saints started the game on offence and ran at the Trojans successfully and moved the chains upfield. By making some adjustments the Trojans Defence stood firm and stopped the Saints progress, as a result the Saints Punted. The Trojans defence blocked the punt and gave their Offense a huge boost by starting the Trojans first offensive drive just outside the Saints redzone. Trojans Offence edged ever closer to Saints goal line until Erin Wagner powered over for his first TD. The 2xpt attempt was unsuccessful. Trojans led 6 – 0.

On the resulting kickoff Running Back Dave McMahon ran the ball back to the Trojans redzone. Once there Saints Offence stuttered, failing short of a first down. Trojans Offence took over from their 15yd line and were all set to progress when Eoin Fox hit a their QB with a shuddering tackle dislodging the ball for Saints to recover. Saints Offence had a second bite of the cherry by returing to start their drive inside the Trojan 20yd line and RB Dave McMahon ran in his first of three TD’s on the very first play of the drive. Dave also converted the extra 2 points. The score stood at Saints 8 Trojans 6

Inspired by the Offence, the Saints Defence stood resolute, turning the ball over on downs on the next drive. It was the turn of the Trojans defence to raise their game as they intercepted the Saints QB Cormac Eklof on their 25yd line. The quarter ended and the second quarter began with Saints defence still refusing to yield up yards and on third down, Cornerback Adam Skelley made a crucial play to twart the Trojans QB. On the result punt, RB Dave McMahon produced a superb run to return it 50 yards for his second score of the day. Saints were unsuccessful with their 2xpt attempt. Saints 14 – Trojans 6

When the Saints defence once again held the Trojans and forced a punt, the trojans were careful not to punt to RB Dave McMahon and pinned the Saints deep in their Half. A poor snap was fumbled and recovered by the Trojans. Saints defence held firm until a Erin Wagner found a channel and eventually went over for his second TD. The 2xpt by Trojans was successful and the game was tied. Saints 14 -Trojans 14

After a good kick off return, the Saint Offence started on the half way line and moved the chains with RB Dave McMahon proving too elusive to the Trojans defenders. Within minutes he ran the ball in from 3 yds for his third TD of the day. The 2xpt was unsuccessful. The Saint started to pull away with the score standing Saints 20 – Trojans 14.

Thereafter, the two teams traded punts with the Saints Punter Ronan Murphy kicking a huge punt over the endzone from 60 yards out. The Trojans took over possession with renewed vigour and again powered their way upfield on the ground with Erin Wagner until the Saints defence again stood their ground led by Team Captain and LB Eoin Fox they turned the ball over and Saints Offence took to the field once again. Saints were dealt a blow as the sounds of planes overhead filled air when QB Cormac Eklof was intercepted. Trojans and Erin Wagner ran in their third TD from 5 yds out. Their 2xpt was successful. The game had become tight again with the Trojans leading the Saints by 2 points. Saints 20 – Trojans 22.

Undetered and commanded well by QB Cormac Eklof, the Saints Offence continued to move the ball on the ground and aided with Trojans giving away penalties were able to march up the field. Dave Mcmahon running the ball in only for a inadvertant whistle to bring the ball back to the 5 yd line. Once there, QB Cormac Eklof coolly threw to WR Geoff Coleman who caught his first career TD pass. The 2xpt was unsuccessful. Saints led 26-22.

At the last play of the third quarter CB Peter Kissiov batted the ball in the hands of Safety Conor Spencer. The fourth quarter started with the tension building. The Saints Offence was stiffled by the Trojans defense and punted. The Saints Defence repeated the pattern and forced the Trojans to punt. With six minutes left in the game the Saints Offence took to the field knowing that the had to use up the clock. A combination of strong running by RB Dave McMahon and Trojans giving up 30 yds of penalties brought the Saints into Trojans half. With the Saints trying to run down the clock by keeping to the ground and mixing in a few passes, valuable minutes used up. RB Dave McMahon fumbled on the Trojans 20yd line and Trojans took possession with two minutes left in the game. With such high stakes the game tempo was raised and again it was the Saints defence who won out as they stopped the Trojans and DCU Offense was able to take to the field with 28 seconds left and kneel to close out the game. Saints 26 – Trojans 22.

The Saints were delighted with their first win of the season and look forward to their next game on May 10th away to the West Dublin Rhinos.

DCU Saints 6 – 19 Carrickfergus Knights

April 6th, 2009 | Baker | Game Reports

(Photos by Jonathan Beattie)

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