Ireland: Minotaurs gore Stags, Giants earn vital win

Week 8 of the American Football Ireland season saw six of the eight teams slated to play in action, with the much anticipated fixture between the Mavericks and Rebels postponed due to apparent issues with the facilities. At the time of writing it’s still not clear if and when this one will go ahead, but with both teams almost guaranteed to make the playoffs it will most certainly have an impact on final seedings. Fortunately, the rest of the games did go ahead and you can get all the details below. A special mention as well to the Belfast Trojans who were in action across the pond in Bristol – taking on the Aztecs in the Central European Football League. The result may not have gone in their favour but they represented well and did themselves proud while making history in the process! Also, what a cracking weekend of weather we had! Long may it continue!

Louth Mavericks – Postponed – Dublin Rebels 

Cill Dara Crusaders 00 – Causeway Giants 38

Two weeks or so after their put off trip up north, the Crusaders welcomed their Antrim coast counterparts to Newbridge College for a bottom of the table bout. It’s not often that a team makes that long of a trek to come away with a win – but that’s exactly what the Giants did, while shutting out their hosts in the process. The Giants marched into Kildare and put 38 points on the Crusaders on Saturday afternoon, with scores coming from a pair of passing touchdowns from Paul Shiels to Ronan McCloskey, two rushes by Jig McCoy and another rushing touchdown from Luis Alberto. Conversion attempts were crucial as well, with Kai Hannaway and Tony McCloskey each adding 2 pointers. With the win, the Giants are catapulted to fifth in the Division One standings and can start building some real momentum as we approach the mid way point of the season!

Westmeath Minotaurs 57 – Antrim Stags 06 

Ladies and gentleman, Conor Brennan still has it! The Minotaurs backup QB/Coach/Photographer had 5 passing touchdowns in Mullingar RFC on Sunday as the Purple People Eaters went to town on the visiting Stags. Westmeath scored early and often, and were up by 35 points when halftime mercifully rolled around. Brennan connected with Jack Lynch and Jack Walsh for a brace of scores, and found Rafa Monteiro in the endzone for another. The play of the game however came in the second half when Brandon Atwell ran the length of the field while breaking several tackles for his first touchdown in purple. Atwell would score twice on the day, and his veteran presence is going to be a huge difference maker for the Minotaurs. Matheus da Silva Riberio added a touchdown and 2 point conversion on the ground, while Jay Bruton was a perfect 7 for 7 on extra point attempts. After a mixed start to the season, the Westmeath men made a statement with their performance over the weekend and are firmly in contention for a Division One title later this summer.

Craigavon Cowboys 06 – UL Vikings 29 

The Vikings and Cowboys are fighting for their lives in the Premier Division. Limerick hit the road to Lurgan on Sunday to face old rivals Craigavon in a game that is almost certain to decide these team’s fates at the end of the season, ultimately coming out on top in convincing fashion and earning a hugely important win. The Vikings struck first and hit hard – building a 22-0 advantage by the break, one they would never relinquish. Scores for the visitors came in the form of a Matthew Loughrey receiving touchdown, a Billy Leenane pick six, a Brian Linehan rushing touchdown, a Dmytro Koshyk receiving touchdown, 3 PATs from Eoin Byrne and a safety from a high snap out of the endzone. It’s hard to top that really if you’re not up to scratch!

The home side eventually mustered some points in the form of an Aodhan Caldwell rushing touchdown while Youth team graduate Conor Traynor earned an INT – but it was far little too late to salvage the game. Craigavon now find themselves dwelling at the bottom of the table on a 3 game losing skid and you have to wonder how exactly they’re going to stay alive in the top flight.

Source: Gaelic Gridiron