PREVIEW: 2015 Irish American Football League – South

[tps_title]Irish American Football League – South[/tps_title]

Shamrock Bowl Conference South Preview

Following swiftly on from our North Conference Preview, we now bring you the teams who will battle it out for South Conference supremacy!

This season looks to be very competitive in the SBC South, so lets take a look at who might claim the top spot!

North Kildare Reapers (3-5 in 2014)

The Reapers had a very successful debutant campaign in the SBC last year, after being promoted as champions of the IAFL-1 in 2013. After a tremendous start to the season when they went (3-0) with wins over their fellow promoted teams, the Dublin Dragons and Waterford Wolves, the Reapers were on course to make the playoff’s in their first season in the big league! However, more daunting fixtures were on the horizon against the leagues toughest sides including the Dublin Rebels and UL Vikings and the Reapers fell to (3-5), narrowly missing out on a wildcard berth to their closest challengers, the West Dublin Rhinos. North Kildare adjusted to life in the SBC much better than their IAFL-1 counterparts and will be well equipped to make another stab at the playoff’s in 2015.

The North Kildare Reapers have another competitive schedule this season and will face more of the leagues most experienced sides. They open their campaign with a home fixture against the West Dublin Rhinos before battling it out against the Belfast Trojans and UL Vikings. The Reapers have 3 cross conference matches this season, as they also face trips up North to face the Cowboys and Knights as well as taking on UCD who they have never faced in a competitive fixture. After an excellent start to 2014, the opening schedule is a bit more difficult this time round, so the Reapers might be looking to take maximum points from their remaining fixtures as the season winds down.

Keys to Success: The Reapers are commonly known for their smash-mouth style of football, hard in tackles and fierce in the pursuit. However, they will need to sure things up at the back if they are to have another successful start in 2015. Losing star RB Sean Leamy was a blow, but they still have talented players in their squad including Eoin Hallissey and Michael O’Reilly who will create numerous problems for defenses. They weren’t able to put many points up against the better teams, so finding ways to breakdown opposing defences in big game situations will be vital.

Prediction: After surprising many with their performances in 2014, the Reapers are capable of creating an upset or two. Their most important fixtures however will come at the hands of the West Dublin Rhinos and Craigavon Cowboys and both should be considered must win games. It’s a tough schedule for North Kildare and they may struggle against the better teams, but if they can grind out points, they will have a chance! 5th

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[tps_header]Trinity College Dublin (8-0 in 2014)[/tps_header]

Trinity College Dublin won all of their regular season games in 2014, including victory over the Dublin Rebels in the semi-finals before they were beaten in a close battle with the Belfast Trojans in the Shamrock Bowl Final. The students were far and away the best team throughout the regular season, but their first final appearance in the club’s history didn’t quite go to plan. They possess a youthful, quick and hard working group of players that are in prime condition to make another attempt at a Championship final. Maybe this will be their year!

Trinity started off their last campaign with the annual College Championship game, where they defeated the UL Vikings in the final to give them their first taste of silverware. This may have been what sparked the surge of form from the students who went on to eclipse an unbeaten season, whilst also ending the unbeaten streak of the Belfast Trojans in the process. Dominant displays through the year made Trinity College the team to beat and they almost went all the way! Prolific on both sides of the ball, the students scored 272 points on offence, averaging 34 points per game whilst only conceding 70 points in 8 games; impressive stats!

Trinity will host the first game of the 2015 campaign as they face fellow University side, UCD. Games against the Vikings and Rebels soon follow as they close out their campaign away to the Rhinos. Will there be another unbeaten season on the cards?

Keys to Success: After coming a whisker away to lifting the Shamrock Bowl in the summer, Trinity College have a squad capable of dethroning the elite teams in the country. Although Trinity lack depth at times, their players are fit enough to cope with another full season of games. With QB Dan Finnamore at the helm after an impressive first year, he will have more confidence in this offence that should see him flourish alongside receivers Daniel Murphy and David Lunn. If league MVP, Rob McDowell makes a return this year, Trinity will possess arguably the most explosive offence in the league once again.

Prediction: It’s going to be a close fight at the top of the SBC South, and Trinity will most certainly be apart of it. Whether they can replicate or even better last seasons performances will be interesting to see, but what will be more interesting is the battle between the University sides. Whoever comes out on top, will surely clinch the SBC South! 2nd

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[tps_header]University College Dublin (6-2 in 2014, in IAFL-1)[/tps_header]

University College Dublin could well be considered the form team heading into the Shamrock Bowl Conference this year, as they won two Championships in two games to complete an excellent 2014 for the students. After winning the IAFL-1 Bowl by defeating the Cork Admirals, they followed it up by bagging the College Championship trophy with victory over rivals, Trinity College in November. Now back in the top tier of Irish Football, UCD will be looking to make up yards on the other teams having been demoted to the IAFL-1 on the back of the 2013 season. With a young, talented batch of players who can play both sides of the ball, this team could well be the underdogs for the Shamrock Bowl this summer.

UCD were the overwhelming favorites to be promoted back into the SBC and they showed their superior quality and experience by clinching the IAFL-1 bowl in spectacular fashion. With only a few minor lapses along the way, UCD scored a huge 210 points on offense whilst only relinquishing 18 in 8 games. This year will be much tougher however, as they make their return back to the Shamrock Bowl Conference to tackle some difficult opponents in the South Division. UCD will head across Dublin to contest the opening game of the season in a rematch against Trinity College, before hosting both the UL Vikings and Dublin Rebels. Their final game of the regular season takes them to Kildare to take on the Reapers.

Keys to Success: UCD were putting up points for fun last year at a devastating pace. The team topped all the scoring charts with QB Dave Murphy and WR Paul Geraghty having tremendous years. The offense has taken another step forward for 2015 impressing in the preseason College Championship. The defense can pack a punch also, as Michael Ring, Eddie Lincoln and Michael Sykes all contributed to touchdowns on defense. With the special teams also a threat, if UCD can keep their key players fit, they will be a handful for any opposition they face.

Prediction: Having dominated the IAFL-1, UCD were always considered an SBC calibre team. Now the competition is much greater, they will have to turn their attentions to facing some of the best teams in Ireland and wins wont be as easy to come by. This prediction may seem surprising to some, but winning the College Championship game gives them firm momentum heading into the season and with recent victories over both Trinity and UL, they have a team capable of going all the way. 1st

[tps_title]Irish American Football League – South[/tps_title]

[tps_header]University of Limerick Vikings (6-2 in 2014)[/tps_header]

The 3-time Shamrock Bowl Champions have been a mainstay in Irish American Football since 2001. After winning championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Vikings have been one of the strongest teams to have ever graced the IAFL and have came close to adding another title to their name over recent years. After falling to defeat against the Belfast Trojans in Shamrock Bowl XXVI, the Vikings have made it as far as the semi-finals in the last two seasons, losing out to the Trojans on both occasions. UL have been putting in a lot of work this offseason, including organizing an exhibition game with the Granada Lions in Spain, in order to give them an edge as the 2015 campaign looms.

After starting off with defeats to Trinity College and a gut-wrenching last second defeat to the Dublin Rebels, The Vikes went on to win their remaining 6 games that set them up with a home tie against the West Dublin Rhinos in the wildcard round. They were met by familiar opponents the Belfast Trojans in the semi’s and came close to toppling the champions in what is quickly becoming a fierce rivalry between the two heavyweights. This year, the season kicks off similar to the last for UL with an opening game against Trinity. Two away fixtures against UCD and the Rhinos quickly follow before facing the North Kildare Reapers at the UL Sports Grounds. Their regular season will finish off against the South Dublin Panthers on June 21st.

Keys to Success: Defensively, the Vikings are amongst the best in the country! John Mullen, Sean Sheehy and Craig Switzer all returning to ensure the UL defence is tough to breakdown! They aren’t to shabby on offence either. With Adrian Garvey and Sean Goldrick in the side and Ian Cahill now under centre, they will always threaten to score points and with plenty of new rookies, the squad is looking very healthy. Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Vikings this year will be overcoming the hurdle that faces them in the semi-finals if they make it.

Prediction: It’s too early to really call how the SBC South will turn out, but the Vikings now have UCD to worry about alongside Trinity, so their place in the top 2 may no longer be guaranteed. They do however have plenty of offensive weapons and a rock-solid defence that will give them a great chance to top the division. UL’s opening two games could determine how they finish the year. 3rd

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[tps_header]West Dublin Rhinos (3-5 in 2014)[/tps_header]

A thrilling end to the 2014 season saw 4 teams battle it out for the last remaining wildcard spot in the playoffs; a spot the West Dublin Rhinos would eventually claim. With key victories over the North Kildare Reapers and Carrickfergus Knights (in a match in which the second half was replayed) the Rhino’s were able to clinch their birth on the last game of their season and thus, their first playoff appearance since 2012.

Despite the tough road they took to get there, the hard work was ultimately undone as they lost to the Vikings. Many will associate the Rhino’s with their hard work ethic and tough as nails mentality, and with some good fortune, the Rhino’s could make another potential run at the playoff’s in 2015.

The Rhino’s were able to turn their season around after a poor start to 2014. Consecutive defeats to Trinity, UL, Craigavon and Belfast left the Dublin side on a downward slope as they slipped to (0-4). However, arguably the defining match of the season for the Rhinos came with victory over the North Kildare Reapers that sparked them into winning 3 of their remaining 4 fixtures. Another challenging schedule in 2015 awaits as they face the Reapers, Vikings and UCD first. The Rhino’s commonly face 3 of the North Division teams, however two of those games this year will be away from home at the Craigavon Cowboys and Belfast Trojans, just to make things a tad trickier.

Keys to Success: Opposition teams respect the Rhino’s for how they play the game, with commitment and heart and defensively, they have that in abundance. Offensively however appears to be were they struggle most. Without a distinguished running-game, stand in QB Arun Mooney was relied on heavily to get the team moving forward, and with only 3 receiving touchdowns from Wide Receivers last year, there will be a lot of work needed! They were able to recruit plenty of players in the off-season so hopefully the offense will have more joy this season and allow players like Dan Breslin and Paul Hossford to flourish.

Prediction: The Shamrock Bowl Conference gets harder every year, and the SBC South may be as tough as its ever been! So the Rhino’s will have to work extremely hard if they are to earn their place in the playoff’s again. If they can knick a few wins outside of their division like last year, they will have a shot! The odd’s will be stacked against them, but if anyone can defy the odd’s; its the West Dublin Rhino‘s! 4th

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[tps_header]Predictions for the SBC South:[/tps_header]

1. University College Dublin
2. Trinity College Dublin
3. UL Vikings
4. West Dublin Rhinos
5. North Kildare Reapers