Eirball.ie – Gridiron Football in Ireland Statistics Archive

Dublin Celts made it two wins from three Shamrock Bowl appearances with a powerful 34-6 triumph over the visiting Belfast Blitzers at Terenure Rugby Club in Dublin. The Celts utilised a grinding running game on a blustery day in Dublin as fullback Martin Murphy led a balanced twin rushing attack with 120 yards and one Touchdown to supplement MVP (Most Valuable Player) Marcus Cunningham's 116 yards and two Touchdowns. The Celts got an early lead with Quarterback John Donnelly plunging in from two yards. Not long later the Celts took advantage of a Gerard Breen interception, as halfback Marcus Cunningham went in off a 40 yard sweep. Just before halftime Cunningham got his second, as he scored from 14 yards out on a well-executed tra. Another interception by the Celts, this time from Steve Kavanagh culminated in Murphy's 19 yard sweep for TD after another long drive. Another short yard TD from QB Donnelly sealed victory for the Celts before a late Blitzers consolation TD from fullback Dale Elliott from 12 yards on a running play took the bare look off the Blitzers end of the scoreboard. The Celts' win was the first by a home team in the Shamrock Bowl and carried possible EuroBowl qualification for 1989.