Category: 2001 Yearbook

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 6 – Played 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.

Irish American Football League Autumn League Box Scores & Match Reports 2001

Irish American Football Association Logo 2001-2002

Final Standings

 PWLTPFPAPts
*Dublin Rebels65101423210
*Carrickfergus Knights65101743010
University of Limerick Vikings6150121772
Dublin Dragons6150201092

Week 1, 30 September 2001

At Woodburn, CarrickfergusQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Dublin Dragons00000
Carrickfergus Knights    46

Week 2, 7 October 2001

At Ringsend, DublinQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
University of Limerick Vikings00000
Dublin Rebels    48

Week 3, 14 October 2001

Dublin Dragons 0 Dublin Rebels 12 – The Rebels moved to 2-0 and the Dragons fell to 0-2 after this “hard-fought defensive encounter” went the Rebels way with two touchdowns – the first in the second Quarter from Brian Martin, and the second in the fourth quarter from Jason Shaw. Brian Dennehy was a standout for the Rebels on both defense and offense, and the stars for the Dragons were Ulli Zinneker and John Durrad on defense.

At Ringsend, DublinQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Dublin Rebels060612
Dublin Dragons00000
IAFL Autumn League 2001 – Week 2 Dublin Dragons 0 Dublin Rebels 12 Box-Score [Ref: 4]
TeamScorersScore
2nd Quarter 
REBBrian Martin TD6-0
4th Quarter 
REBJason Show12-0
IAFL Autumn League 2001 – Week 2 Dublin Dragons 0 Dublin Rebels 12 Scorers [Ref: 4]

Week 4, 21 October 2001

At UL Sports Grounds, LimerickQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Carrickfergus Knights    34
University of Limerick Vikings00000

Week 5, 28 October 2001

At Woodburn, CarrickfergusQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Dublin Rebels    16
Carrickfergus Knights    12

Week 6, 4 November 2001

At UL Sports Grounds, LimerickQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Dublin Rebels    34
University of Limerick Vikings00000

Week 7, 11 November 2001

At Ringsend, DublinQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Carrickfergus Knights    21
Dublin Dragons00000

Week 8, 18 November 2001

At Woodburn, CarrickfergusQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
University of Limerick Vikings00000
Carrickfergus Knights    41

Week 9, 25 November 2001

At Ringsend, DublinQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Dublin Dragons00000
Dublin Rebels    18

Week 10, 2 December 2001

University of Limerick Vikings 12 Dublin Dragons 8 –

At UL Sports Grounds, LimerickQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Dublin Dragons    8
University of Limerick Vikings    12
IAFL Autumn League 2001 Week 10 UL Vikings 12 Dublin Dragons 8 Box-Score [Ref: 10]
TeamScorersScore
ULVTommy Conneely Fumble Return 
ULVPaddy Ryan Pass from ?? 
IAFL Autumn League 2001 Week 10 UL Vikings 12 Dublin Dragons 8 Scorers [Ref: 10]

Week 11, 11 December 2001

At Ringsend, DublinQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
University of Limerick Vikings00000
Dublin Dragons    12
At Ringsend, DublinQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Carrickfergus Knights  0020
Dublin Rebels 0 0  14

Final Standings

 PWLTPFPAPts
*Dublin Rebels65101423210
*Carrickfergus Knights65101743010
University of Limerick Vikings6150121772
Dublin Dragons6150201092

Shamrock Bowl XV

Carrickfergus Knights 7 Dublin Rebels 28 – The Carrickfergus Knights were appearing in their sixth Shamrock Bowl in seven seasons, and the Rebels, a merger of the Greystones Rebels and Dublin Tigers, were appearing in their first, although many, including Brian Dennehy saw Shamrock Bowl action in 1998 and 1999 for the Tigers.

The teams were evenly matched throughout the season, both finishing on 5-1 Won-Loss Records, with the Rebels giving up Home Field Advantage with a loss on the final day of the regular season to the Knights. The Shamrock Bowl, however, was to be a Rebel victory, as Running Back Brian Dennehy scored with a 90-yard Kickoff Return from the first whistle, and then ran in the two-point conversion. Carrickfergus didn’t get a hand on him until the one-yard line and never recovered.

Rebels Quarterback Paddy Blood played the game of his life, returning from injury. With the Dublin defense winning the ball back, he drove the offense the length of the field, sweeping behind the offensive line, and finishing with a 20-yard Touchdown pass to Paraic Reddington.

The Knights recovered their composure momemtarily, as they recovered the ball from a blocked punt and Quarterback Stephen McDowell drove to the 10-yard line, where he connected on an out pattern to Wide Receiver Ron Smyth to bring them back to within one touchdown. The Extra-Point Kick was successful, making the score 14-7.

That was as close as the Knights would get for the rest of the afternoon, as the momentum was still with the Rebels. They scored again just before halftime on a half back option, as Dennehy connected with Wide Receiver Brian Martin for a 30-yard touchdown. Paddy Blood then hooked up with Dennehy for the two-point conversion.

Both teams stepped up on defense, as the Rebels hung on, comfortable and composed but not complacent. Michael Finucane and Steve Porteous were punishing Carrickfergus from the Defensive Line, and the Knights defense, playing tight as a unit, managed to halt the Rebels offense.

The Knights decided to switch to an aerial attack for the remainder of the game in the third quarter, and completed passes to Smyth and Paul McKillop. Two goal-line stands by the Rebels, with Free Safety Marcus Naylor making a crucial acrobatic tackle kept the Knights out in what was a nail-biting time for the Rebels.

The game was sealed late in the third quarter as Dennehy kept the ball for most of a 70-yard drive that culminated in him seeping in from two-yards out, making the score 28-7. That was the way the score stayed throughout the fourth quarter, as the Rebels celebrated their first Shamrock Bowl win, in a game which bode well for the future of Irish American Football, in its first season since 1999, and with a new Spring League just around the corner in 2002.

At CarrickfergusQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Dublin Rebels  7028
Carrickfergus Knights  007
IAFL Autumn League 2001 Shamrock Bowl XV Carrickfergus Knights 7 Dublin Rebels 28 Box-Score [Ref: 13]
TeamScorersScore
1st Quarter 
REBBrian Dennehy 90yd Kickoff Return, Brian Dennehy 2XPT Run8-0
REBParaic Reddington 20yd Pass from Paddy Blood14-0
CARRon Smyth Pass from Stephen McDowell, XP Kick Good14-7
2nd Quarter 
REBBrian Martin 30yd Pass from Brian Dennehy, Dennehy 2XPT Pass from Blood22-7
3rd Quarter 
REBBrian Dennehy 2yd Run28-7
IAFL Autumn League 2001 Shamrock Bowl XV Carrickfergus Knights 7 Dublin Rebels 28 Scorers [Ref: 13]

Reference

Websites

[1] Irish American Football Association (2001) 2001 IAFL Standings/Schedule [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl-standings/2001-iafl-standingsschedule [Accessed 24 March 2014]

Internet Archive

[10] UL Vikings (2001) – Wayback Machine [2002/08/06] Ul Vikings 12 – 8 Dublin Dragons [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20020806223911/http://www.ulvikings.com/ [Accessed 13 October 2018]

[10] UL Vikings (2010) – Wayback Machine [2010/04/29] Vikings History: 2001 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20100429042500/http://www.ulvikings.ie/index.php/vikings-history [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Sources

[4] Anon. (2001) Irish League: Dublin Rebels 12 Dublin Dragons 0 First Down. October 18-24, 2001. Pg. 28.

[14] Andrew Dennehy (2001) “Rebels’ yell dims lights for Knights” First Down December 20-26, 2001. Pg. 27

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association..

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 13 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Irish Flag Football Association Box Score & Match Reports Challenge Matches 2001-02

IAFA Flag Challenge Composite Table 2001-02

PWLTPFPAPts
Drimnagh Cycos211032243
Belfast Bulls211024203
Coleraine Chieftans211020243
UL Vikings211024323
Compiled from: [1][2]

Week 1 – 29 April 2001

Drimnagh Cycos 20 UL Vikings 24 – Played in Fairview Park, Dublin. This was the first match in over a year for both teams since the Irish Flag Football League folded in 2000. The match was used as match practice by the Cycos before their match against English Champions Leicester Europa Eagles. The Vikings defence was on top in the first half as they ran out to an 18-6 lead early on. The Cycos responed with a 30-yard scoring run by Stephen Dunne, but the Vikings again went two TD’s up to lead 24-13 at the half. The Cycos managed to keep the Vikings out of the endzone in the second half, but the Vikings managed to hold on for the win, as Drimnagh could only manage one TD, a 5-yard run by Liam Farrell, to leave the score 24-20 to UL at the finish. [1]

TeamH1H2Total
University of Limerick Vikings24024
Drimnagh Cycos13720
TeamScorersScore
1st Half
18-6
DRIStephen Dunne 30yd Run, 1xpt Good18-13
ULVTD24-13
2nd Half
DRILiam Farrel 5yd Run, 1xpt Good24-20

Week 2 – 20 February 2002

UL Vikings 0 Drimnagh Cycos 12 – Played in Limerick. The Drimnagh Cycos won with two Touchdowns from Steve Dunne (A 5-yard run early in the game) and also in the first half QB Aidan Kelly threw a 25-yard TD pass to Bob Curran, to gain revenge for defeat in 2001. [3]

TeamH1H2Total
Drimnagh Cycos12012
University of Limerick Vikings000
IFFA Flag Football Challenge Matches 2001-02 – Drimnagh Cycos 12 UL Vikings 0 [Ref: 3, 7]
TeamScorersScore
1st Half
DRIStephen Dunne 5yd Run6-0
DRIBob Curran 25yd Pass from Aidan Kelly12-0
2nd Half
No Scoring12-0
IFFA Flag Football Challenge Matches 2001-02 – Drimnagh Cycos 12 UL Vikings 0 [Ref: 3, 7]

Week 3 – 12 May 2002

Belfast Bulls 16 Coleraine Chieftans 8 – Played in Belfast. The Bulls QB Scott Lennox threw two Touchdown passes to Wide Receivers John Sittlington and Darren Dalton. Gavin Power scored the Chieftans only TD in what was a close game.[4]

At BelfastH1H2Total
Coleraine Chieftans8
Belfast Bulls16
TeamScorersScore
BELJohn Sittlington Pass from Scott Lennox
BELDarren Dalton Pass from Scott Lennox
COLGavin Power

Week 4 – 9 June 2002

Coleraine Chieftans 12 Belfast Bulls 8 – Played in Coleraine. The Chieftans evened up the score with the Bulls in the two-game series as their Halfback Martin Robinson scored on two long runs to the outside. Scott Lennox combined with WR John Sittlington again for the Bulls only score. [4]

At ColeraineH1H2Total
Belfast Bulls8
Coleraine Chieftans12
TeamScorersScore
COLMartin Robinson Run
COL Martin Robinson Run
BELJohn sittlington Pass from Scott Lennox, 2xpt Good

References

__________________________________________________________

Internet Archive

[1] Wayback Machine – Irish American Football Scene (2001) Flag Football: News – UL Vikings at Drimnagh Cycos [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20010721055929/http://www.iafs.co.uk/ [Accessed 8 October 2017]

[2] Wayback Machine – Drimnagh Cycos Yahoo Site (2001) Recent Messages [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20011221050433/http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/drimnaghcycos [Accessed 21 April 2017]

[3] Wayback Machine – Irish American Football Scene (2002) UL Vikings 0 Drimnagh Cycos 12 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20020405053228/http://www.iafs.co.uk/ [Accessed 8 October 2017]

[4] Wayback Machine – Irish American Football Scene (2002) Chieftans and Bulls slug it out [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20021016145225/http://www.iafs.co.uk:80/index.php?page=02flagbullsatcheiftans.php [Accessed 6 July 2018]

Websites

[5] 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]

Newspapers

[7] Naughton, Lindie (2002) “Classy Cycos” Evening Herald. Thursday, February 21, 2002. pg. 74 [Past copies of the Evening Herald are available to view online at the Irish Newspaper Archive: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Peter Mullen, Drimnagh Cycos

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish American Football Archive

Last Updated: 15 April 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

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