Final Standings

Playoff Results

Home Venue: Sportslink, Santry, Dublin 9

Dublin Rebels 2007 Roster

Week , 25 March 2007 – Dublin Rebels 8 DCU Saints 0

Week – 25 March 2007 – Dublin Rebels 8 DCU Saints 0

The Dublin Rebels won a close, low-scoring encounter with a 13 yard catch by Mike Kresowaty from Quarterback Andy Dennehy in the first quarter. Henry Wassermann caught the two-point conversion. From the start the offenses of both teams struggled, with the game characterized by great defensive performances by both teams. The second quarter began a bit livelier, with Saints QB Connor Buggle inches short of a first down and the Rebels’ Darragh Farrell recovering a punt, only to be called on a catch/interference penalty. DCU made big gains on the next possession but the Rebels Linebacker Kevin Finnegan smothered a Saints run for a loss of 10 yards. When the Rebels took over aggressive running from Simon Mackey and receptions from Wide Receiver Connor Ryan and Tight End Henry Wassermann put the Rebels on the Saints’ 1 yard line. The resulting Touchdown, a 1 yard pass to Henry Wassermann was cancelled due to illegal procedure. The Saints then subsequently played excellent secondary to keep them out.

Successive four-and-outs at the start of the second half were typical of the lack-lustre offenses on the day. The Rebels put together a good drive with Chris Winton fighting for every inch, however, the Saints sacked QB Dennehy, forcing him to fumble, which was recovered by the Saints. The Saints tried a series of lateral runs but were stifled by determined Rebels defence, linebackers Ross McCooey, Paul Weldon and Kevin Finnegan making important tackles. Sam Hodgins made yardage for the Rebels in the fourth quarter, but the Saints coverage was excellent. Scott Quigley, Bobby Blankenship and Willie Coyne in the Saints secondary were deserving of mention. Saints went four-and-out yet again on the next possession, and when they got the ball back the Rebels found another TD called back for an infringement, this time a holding penalty on Chris Wilton’s 26 yard dash into the endzone. Again the Saints kept the Rebels out, with good defense from Austin Ragans and Carl Rushe, but the Rebels ran out the clock on their next possession, after the Saints were stopped by Steve Archibald and Marcus Naylor in the Rebels secondary. A tight, defensive battle ended 8-0 to the Rebels

Week – 29 April 2007 – Dublin Rebels 28 Cork Admirals 26

Week – 29 April 2007 – Dublin Rebels 28 Cork Admirals 26

What started out as a great day for the Cork Admirals turned into yet another Dublin Rebels victory as they fought from 26-8 down at the half to clinch the match 28-26 at the death. The field and conditions were both good as the Admirals went to the air on their opening drive, Dominic McHale scoring on a reception from David Lomansey, with John Duggan kicking the Point After Touchdown. The Rebels then turned the ball over and the Admirals went 13-0 ahead on the next snap, Keith O’Callaghan rushing in from 17 yards out. The Rebels pulled one back, however, before the end of the first quarter, when aided by strong running from Sam Hodgins and Chris Winton, they scored through pass from QB Andy Dennehy to Tight End Paul Smyth, which was converted. The score was 13-8 after Quarter One. John Duggan gave Cork good field position with an interception in the second quarter, with David Lomansey again finding McHale for a TD, which was converted leaving the score 20-8. Good defense from the Admirals was further aided by Hugh McBratney putting the in good field position with a punt return. Alain Pezeron broke free on a first down dive play and sprinted the distance to the endzone making the score 28-26. The Rebels then used a balanced attack on the next possession with time running out to leave the score 26-16 as they again scored on a passing play.

The Third quarter saw neither team score as Cork’s defense stood firm in the redzone, typified by great performances by Paul Buchanan, Barry Rafferty and Hugh McBratney. They were ineffctive on offense, however, with a first down penalty stopping them on the next series. The fourth quarter saw Chris Winton get the important touchdown the Rebels were waiting for as they narrowed the gap to 26-22. Dave Barry made a brilliant return on the ensuing kickoff to leave the Admirals in great field position on the Rebels 40 yard line. Marcus Naylor, for the Rebels, however, intercepted a fourth-and-7 pass near his own goaline as the Rebels held and kept the Admirals out. Two minutes were left to play and Henry Wassremann turned a short pass into a big gain for the Rebels, with Barry Rafferty making a spectacular touchdown-saving tackle for the visitors on the five-yard line. The Rebels fumbled on second and goal, however, offensive lineman Shane Campbell recovered, keeping the drive alive. The Admirals Defensive linemen stopped a QB sneak on third-and-goal, setting up a do-or-die situation, with 15 seconds left to play Sam Hodgins snuck over the goal line to win the game for the Rebels 28-26.

Week – 27 May 2007 – Dublin Dragons 12 Dublin Rebels 42

Week – 17 June 2007 – Tallaght Outlaws 0 Dublin Rebels 70

17 June 2007 – Tallaght – Tallaght Outlaws 0 Dublin Rebels 70

Week – 8 July 2007 – Belfast Bulls 0 Dublin Rebels 6

8 July 2007 – Lucan – Belfast Bulls 0 Dublin Rebels 6

References

Logos

[1] Irish American Football Association (2018) Dublin Rebels Team Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Team-Logo-Dublin-Rebels-2.png [Accessed 22 July 2018]

Websites

[2] Irish American Football Association (2007) 2007 LEAGUE TABLE, FIXTURES & RESULTS [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2007results.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

[3] Dublin Rebels Wayback Machine (2007) 2007 Roster [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20071117020855/http://www.dublinrebels.com/page.php?39 [Accessed 27 November 2018]

[4] Dublin Rebels Wayback Machine (2007) 2007 Season [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20071117020610/http://www.dublinrebels.com/page.php?38 [Accessed 27 November 2018]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Sean Douglas, Dublin Rebels

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 6 January 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.