Celtic Classic III Logo [3]

15 October 2006

References: [2]

Report

Ireland put in one of their best performances in years against the Coventry Jets, ranked among the top teams in Europe, and the current British Division 1A Champions. The Jets roster included several British Internationals and players with Professional experience.

Erin Wagner was named Team Ireland MVP, picking up some first downs on offense and making some great tackles on defense. Former NFL Europe star Mark Cohen scored two touchdowns, and made several first down receptions, proving the game-winner for Coventry. Other Jets scorers were Running Back Anthony Perkins and Coventry’s 2006 MVP Jeremy Simms.

Perkins made a number of first down runs in the first quarter before scoring the opening touchdown midway through the quarter. Team Ireland responded with an 80-yard drive that got them to the 6-yard line with Simon Mackey, Chris Flynn & Erin Wagner picking up first downs, however, the Jets defense managed to keep Ireland out of the endzone.

The Jets added two touchdowns in the second quarter, one set up by a spectacular sideline catch inside the 5-yard line by Mark Cohen, and the other was a reception from Cohen from QB Tim Spaull after both he and Irish cornerback Willie Coyne both came down with their hands on the ball in the endzone. The Irish had another long drive behind QB Andrew Dennehy in the second quarter but were stopped on fourth down.

The Irish defense stepped up in the second half, with several tackles on the Coventry offense for a loss of yardage, James Kay, Chris Weir, Erin Wagner, Glen Carr and Kenny Hudson all making tackles. The Jets, however, got the ball within scoring range after recovering a fumble. Roxss McCooey came close to making an interception for Ireland, but the Jets scored a few plays later.

Ireland appeared to get stronger as the gamde wore on, and the Jets kept their star players, Cohen, Simms, and defensive Captain Adrian Newey on the field for the fourth quarter. Simon Buggle was now Ireland Quarterback, and he ut together a drive which finished with a scoring run inside from Sam Hodgins on a first-and-goal. Team Ireland also forced a fumble which was recovered by Darragh Farrell for the the turnover.

The Jets got their final TD in the fourth qyarter, when QB Tim Spaull who also played on the GB Lions International team, threw a long touchdown pass to Jeremy Simms. Ireland forced another turnover followingthis as Willie Coyne recovered a muffed punt and sprinted into the endzone for an apparent score, however, the referees ruled that the punter never had full possession of the ball so it couldn’t be advanced. Ireland, however, regained possession. 

Coventry Running Back Anthony Perkins takes a Hand-Off Against the Team Ireland Defense [4]

Reference

_______________________________________________________

Internet Archive

[2] Dublin Dragons (2006) Team Ireland 8 Coventry Cassidy Jets 35 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20071117035949/http://www.dublindragons.com/e107/news.php?extend.20 [Accessed 31 October 2017]

Images

[1] American Football International (2013) EFAF Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootballinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/EFAF_logo.gif [Accessed 30 August 2017]

[3] Dublin Dragons (2006) Celtic Classic III Team Ireland v Coventry Cassidy Jets Logo [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20071117035949im_/http://www.dublindragons.com/e107/e107_images/2006/Classic3.jpg [Accessed 22 November 2019]

[4] Dublin Dragons (2006) Coventry Running Back Anthony Perkins Takes a Hand-Off Agianst Team Ireland Defense [Internet] Available from:https://web.archive.org/web/20071117035949im_/http://www.dublindragons.com/e107/e107_images/2006/cc31.jpg [Accessed 22 November 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Sean Douglas, Team Ireland.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 2 July 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.