Category: Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge Drimnagh Cycos v BSFL Allstars Game Summary 2003

Drimnagh Cycos 12 BSFL Allstars 18 – 25 January 2003

Drimnagh Cycos 12 BSFL Allstars 18 – The BSFL Allstars travelled to Dublin on a cold, wet windy day on Saturday, 25 January 2003 to play the Drimnagh Cycos in the Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge in the Phoenix Park. The BSFL Allstars were made up of players from the Bournemouth Raiders and Invicta (Canterbury) Coyotes. The match was 7v7 Flag Football under the Irish Rules then used in Ireland. The Cycos first possession was stopped at the 20-yard line by a strong BSFL Defensive stand. On the first BSFL possession QB Nick Michael threw the ball straight into the hands of the Cycos #55 (Liam Farrell), although again the Allstars defense stopped the Cycos from scoring. QB Michael yet again threw an interception on the next BSFL drive, this time in the endzone. Drimnagh Cycos Quarterback Aidan Kelly scored the first Touchdown of the game on the next possesion, running in from 5 yards. Stephen wigley of the BSFL Allstars helted the Point After with a lunging tackle. Michael threw a third interception on the next drive, this time to Cornerback #53 who returned it 30 yards for the second touchdown. Kelly was tagged on the resulting option play by Mark Houston, ening the PAT attempt, leaving the score 12-0 to Drimnagh. Mark houston replaced Nick Michael at Quarterback for the Allstars, and they drove downfield in the final two minutes of the half to put a score on the board as Abdulmalik Lawal caught a 10 yard TD Pass from Houston, although the PAT attempt was unsuccessful. The Half-Time Score read Drimnagh Cycos 12 BSFL Allstars 6.

The second half started with playmaker Mark Houston calling a no huddle offense with Michael as QB and Houston as Wide Receiver. While a couple of Cycos looked at Houston, none decided to cover him and Michael completed a 75-yard pass to Houston to tie the game. The PAT attempt to Stephen Wigley was spoiled by a Drimnagh defender. The BSFL defense dominated the Cycos from there to the final whistle, leaving little room on passing, running, option and trick plays, and both Vincent Gurrea and Stephen Wigley got interceptions for the Allstars. BSFL decide to run conservative rushing plays up the middle by Houston and the outside by Lawal, who broke free on a 40-yard running play to put the BSFL Allstars 18-12 up. After a controversial sack in the endzone where the teams dispured whether it should be a safety or not, the Cycos kept the ball on their own goalline. Three plays later Houston intercepted a Cyco pass and returned it 20 yards, but BSFL could not get in the endzone as the Irish team kept them out. The Cycos then took over and started slowly marching downfield, and after two unsuccessful attempts to get in the endzone they face 4th and Goal from the 10 yard line. QB Kelly rolled out to his right looking for Receivers #55 (Liam Farrell) and #53 but they were covered. Kelly circled back, looking for an open Tight End in the Endzone to his left, but just as he was about to release the ball, Lawal dove to take the flag, leaving the BSFL Allstars 18-12 winners.

At Phoenix Park, DublinH1H2Total
BSFL Allstars61218
Drimnagh Cycos12012
Drimnagh Cycos 12 BSFL Allstars 18 – 31 January 2003 [Reference: 1]
TeamScorersScore
1st Half
DRIAidan Kelly 5yd Run 0-6
DRI#53 30yd Interception Return0-12
BSFLAbdulmalik Lawal 10yd Pass from Mark Houston6-12
2nd Half
BSFLMark Houston 75yd Pass from Nick Michael12-12
BSFLAbdulmalik Lawal 40yd Run18-12
Drimnagh Cycos 12 BSFL Allstars 18 – 31 January 2003 [Reference: 1]

Teams

Drimnagh CycosPosition
Aidan KellyQuarterback
Liam Farrell (#55)Cornerback / Receiver
Stephen Dunne
John Canning
Ian McGuinness
Cameron Cramer
Ian Curtis
Bob Curran
BSFL Allstars
Nick Michael (Bournemouth Raiders)Quarterback
Mark Houston (Bournemouth Raiders)Wide Receiver / Running Back / Quarterback
Vincent Gurrea (Bournemouth Raiders)Wide Receiver / Cornerback
Abdulmalik Lawal (Bournemouth Raiders)Running Back / Defensive Line
Stephen Wigley (Invicta Coyotes)Cornerback
Hash (Retired)
Kalid (Retired)

References

Internet Archive

[1] British Senior Flag League | Wayback Machine (2003) Internationals [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 12 November 2019]

Social Media

[2] Liam Farrell (2020) Facebook Messenger 29 November 2020 – Response to Eirball Article on Drimnagh Cycos v BSFL Allstars Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge 2003

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Liam Farrell & Peter Mullen, Drimnagh Cycos & and John Kane

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 29 November 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge I | Box Score & Match Report 1997

[1]

H1H2Total
Drimnagh Cycos12012
Leicester Europa Eagles066
ScorersScore
1st Half 
DRI – Liamm Farrel TD Run6-0
DRI – Aiden Kelly TD Run12-0
2nd Half 
LEI – Rich Manning TD Pass from Chris Wild12-6

Report

______________________________________________________________________________

Drimnagh Cycos won the first ever International Flag Football match played by either Irish or British teams. They scored two Rushing Touchdowns in the first half, one from Liam Farrell and the second from young QB Aiden Kelly before the Leicester defense tightened up and they got one back in the second half through Rich Manning scoring on a short pass from QB Chris Wild.

Sources

[1] Anon. (1997) “Eagles lose to Cycos in Dublin Challenge Match”. First Down, August 2 1997

Thanks to Peter Mullen, Drimnagh Cycos & Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney and John Kane

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 July 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

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

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge II Box Score & Match Report 1998

Box Score

H1H2Total
Leicester Europa Eagles24024
Drimnagh Cycos12012
TeamScorersScore
1st Half
LEICraig Broughton 60 yd Punt Return TD0-6
LEICraig Broughton Int Return TD0-12
DRIStephen Dunne TD Run6-12
LEICraig Broughton TD Pass from Chris Wild6-18
LEIChris Manning TD Run.6-24
DRIAiden Kelly TD Run12-18
2nd Half
No scoring12-24

Report

In a game dominated by Defence and Special Teams, Leicester Europa Eagles won 24-12 on the back of two Interceptions by Craig Broughton, one which he returned for a Touvhdown and the other which set up Chris Manning for a Rushing TD. Broughton also returned a Punt 60 yards for a Touchdown and hauled in a Pass from QB Chris Wild in a standout display from the Leicester player, officially listed as a running-back. Drimnagh Cycos scored on QB Aiden Kelly’s Run from his own half, and Stephen Dunne’s Rushing TD. All the scores came in the first half as the Defences shut down each others Offences in the Second Half.

Drimnagh Cycos Roster

PlayersPosition
John Durrad (Dublin Gladiators)Linebacker / Tight End
Darren BradySafety / Offensive Lineman
Ian CurtisCenter / Offensive Lineman
John CanningOffensive Lineman / Linebacker
Iain McGuinnesDefensive Lineman / Offensive Lineman
James BinghamWide Receiver / Cornerback
Stephen DunneRunning Back / Cornerback
Aiden KellyQuarterback / Cornerback
Bob Curran (USA)Defensive Lineman / Wide Receiver
Liam FarrellRunning Back / Linebacker
[References: 1-2]
Players / CoachPosition
Chris WildQuarterback
Craig BroughtonRunning Back / Cornerback
Chris ManningRunning Back
Rick ManningLinebacker
Alan O’SullivanHead Coach
[References: 1]

Sources

[1] Anon. (1998) “Eagles soar over Irish challengers”. First Down, Saturday, May 16 1998,, pg. 21

Websites

[2] Drimnagh Cycos (2001) Photo Album [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20011117060516/http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/base/6389/photos.html [Accessed 21 April 2017]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Peter Mullen, Drimnagh Cycos & Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney and John Kane

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 22 April 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2021

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

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge VIII | Box Score & Match Report 2004

Result, 8 August 2004, Marlay Park, Dublin

Box Score

TeamH1H2Total
Leicester Europa Eagles141226
Drimnagh Cycos066
ScorersScore
1st Half 
LEI – Ryan Melbourne TD Run, Tom Gill XPT Pass from Chris Wild7-0
LEI – James Hossack TD Pass from Craig Broughton,
Tom Gill XPT Pass from Chris Wild
14-0
2nd Half 
LEI – Alistair Colhurst TD Pass from Craig Broughton20-0
LEI – James Hossack TD Pass from Craig Broughton26-0
DRI – Steve Dunn TD Pass from Aidan Kelly26-6

Reference: [1]

Report

______________________________________________________________________________

Drimnagh Cycos 6 Leicester Europa Eagles 26

Drimnagh Cycos hosted the English Senior Flag League Champions Leicester Europa Eagles in Marlay Park, Dublin, for the 8th Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge. The Cycos defense intercepted Eagles QB Chris Wild on their first two drives, Liam Farrell and Aidan Kelly getting the picks. Defense dominated the early stages of this game as the Eagles got to the Cycos 1 yard line, only to fail to find a receiver on 4th down. [1]

Leicester’s James Hossack intercepted Aidan Kelly and the Eagles got the go-ahead touchdown on the following drive – riuunning back Ryan Melbourne sweeping down the right -hand side. Again the Cycos offense was stopped, and the Eagles went in 14-0 up at half-time after Chris Broughton found Hossack with an option pass. Chris Wild completed passes to Wide Receiver Tom Gill on both of these touchdowns to add extra points. [1]

To start the second half Broughton found Alastair Coulthurst with a short pass, which the Tight End took all the way into the endzone. Hossack got a second interception, and the ensuing drive saw him catch a Broughton Pass in the endzone to put Leicester 26-0 up. Drimnagh scored a consolatoiion TD after Steve Dunn weaved through the Leicester defense following a short pass from QB Aidan Kelly. [1]

Websites

[1] Britball Now (2018) History of the game in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/ireland/history-of-the-game-in.html [Accessed 25 October 2016]

[2] Britball Now (2018) 2004 Adult Flag News [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/match-reports-and-archived/archived-news/2004-adult-flag-news.html [Accessed 20 March 2018]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Peter Mullen, Drimnagh Cycos & Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney and John Kane

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 July 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

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

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge V | Box Score & Match Report 2001

10 July 2001

At Sallins, Co. KildareQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Leicester Europa Eagles    6
Drimnagh Cycos    49
ScorersScore
DRI – Liam Farrell Pass from Aidan Kelly, Liam Farrel 1xpt0-7
LEI – Craig Broughton pass from Chris Wild6-7
DRI – Liam Farrel Pass from Aidan Kelly6-13
DRI – Liam Farrel Pass from Aidan Kelly6-19
DRI – Stephen Dunne Run, Stephen Dunne 2xpt6-27
DRI – Liam Farrel Pass from Aidan Kelly, Stephen Dunne 2xpt6-35
DRI – Liam Farrel Int Return, Iain McGuinnes, 2xpt6-43
DRI – Aidan Kelly Run6-49

Report

____________________________________________________________________

Drimnagh Cycos 49 Leicester Europa Eagles 6Played in Sallins, Co. Kildare. In warm non-sunny conditions, Leicester started four-and-out as the Cycos defence established themselves early on. QB Aidan Kelly topped off a long-drive on Drimnagh’s first possession with a long, winding run. Kelly found WR Liam Farrell for the one-point conversion. Although suffering a knee-injury on the play, Farrell recovered. The eagles levelled the scores with their second drive, QB Chris Wild finding Chris Broughton in the endzone. The conversion was unsuccessful, and the Cycos mainained the lead. QB Kelly found WR Farrel with two touchdown passes on the next two Cycos drives, with Kelly intercepting the Eagles in between. This made the score 19-6. The Cycos got their fourth TD with a run from Stephen Dunne. He also caught the pass for the two-point conversion, making the score 27-6. Kelly found Farrell for a hat-trick of TD passes with Dunne once again adding the two-point conversion to make the score 35-6. Reference: [6]

The Cycos defence also got on the scoreboard, when Liam Farrell returned an interception for a TD. Iain McGuinness caught the one-point conversion, making it 42-6 to Drimnagh. McGuinness got an interception of his own to set up the final Drimnagh scoring drive, as Aidan Kelly ran in another TD. On defence, Cameron Cramer and Darren Brady both sacked the Quarterback, while the Eagles got two sacks of their own. QB Aidan Kelly picked up the Cycos MVP award. Reference: [6]

About

From 1997 to 2005 the Drimnagh Cycos (Ireland) and the Leicester Europa Eagles (England) competed for the Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge Trophy. These matches were the first International matches involving Irish or British Flag Football Teams. Matches played in Leiceser were played under 5-a-side Rules while matches in Dublin were played under Irish 7-a-side Rules, where every man is an eligible receiver, which was then-current in Ireland.

Websites

[1] Britball Now (2018) History of the game in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/ireland/history-of-the-game-in.html [Accessed 25 October 2016]

[6] Britball Now (2018) 2001 Adult Flag news – 10th July 2001 – Drimnagh thrash Leicester 49-6 in Senior Flag challenge match [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/ireland/history-of-the-game-in.html [Accessed 25 October 2016]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Peter Mullen, Drimnagh Cycos & Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney and John Kane

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 July 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

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

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge III | Box Score & Match Report 1999

12 June 1999, Drimnagh Cycos 20 Leicester Europa Eagles 12

At DublinH1H2Total
Leicester Europa Eagles6612
Drimnagh Cycos61420
ScorersScore
1st Half 
DRI – Liam Farrell Pass from Aiden Kelly0-6
LEI – Craig Broughton Pass from Chris Wild6-6
2nd Half 
LEI – Andy Gambrill Pass from Chris Wild12-6
DRI – Liam Farrell Pass from Aiden Kelly12-12
DRI – Aiden Kelly Run (Bob Curran 2xpt Pass from Aiden Kelly12-20

Report

______________________________________________________________________________

Two Touchdown Passes from QB Aiden Kelly, and one which he ran in himself from 30 yards for the winning score were enough to give the Cycos victory over the Leicester Europa Eagles in Dublin. The Cycos opened the scoring with Kelly’s first TD Pass to Liam Farrel, a deep one to put them 6-0 up. Chris Wild found Craig Broughton for a TD reception of their own to level the scores for the Europa Eagles, and it remained 6-6 until halftime. [1]

Eagles head coach Andy O’Sullivan did some halftime reorganisation, and the Eagles went ahead with a bomb from Wild to Andy Gambrill. A Paul Costall interceprtion put Drimnagh under further pressure but they responded with another Kelly-Farrell connection for a touchdown. It looked like overtime would be needed but Kelly ran in from 30 yards to put the Cycos ahead when all his receivers were covered. He then connected with Tight End Bob Curran for the two point conversion to seal the victory. [1]

Drimnagh Cycos Roster 1999-2000

NumberPlayerPosition
1Aidan KellyQuarterback
4James BinghamWide Receiver
7Darren BradySafety
8Ian CurtisCenter
28Stephen DunneRunning Back
29Peter MullenWide Receiver
33Bob CurranDefensive Line
54John CanningLinebacker
55Liam FarrellRunning Back
75Iain McGuinnessDefensive Line

References: [4]

References

____________________________________________________

Sources

[1] Anon. (1999) “Cycos path to Glory”. First Down, June 17-23 1999, pg. 19

Websites

[2] Drimnagh Cycos (2001) Players Profiles [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20010801192128/http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/base/6389/players.html [Accessed 21 April 2017]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Peter Mullen, Drimnagh Cycos & Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney and John Kane

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 July 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

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