UCD Bounce Back & UL Shut Out Cowboys – AFI Wrap Up
Lads I don’t even know what week it is anymore. But what I do know is that as we get towards the business end of the season the wins and losses really start to count. UCD, Louth and Wexford all took care of things on Saturday afternoon, while down in Limerick on Sunday the Vikings got the better of the Cowboys in the return leg of a crucial fixture that will likely determine who stays alive in the top flight and who drops back down to Division One. Let’s get into it!
Dublin Rebels 13 – UCD 14
After suffering a home defeat at the hands of the Trojans last weekend, UCD needed to get back to winning ways against their South Dublin neighbours, who in turn were also looking to bounce back after a recent loss down in Cork. Despite the fixture taking place in Belfield, this was technically a Rebels home game and the second time the sides met this season, after the boys in blues recorded a 40-0 victory in their week 1 encounter.
A much tighter affair was on the agenda this time around however, with UCD relying on a last minute sack safety from Rory O’Dwyer to pull off the win after both sides traded touchdowns throughout. Arun Mooney connected with brother Darragh for a score through the air after being shut down by the Trojans defense the week prior, while Alex Kusmirek added six points on the ground. For the Rebels it was Sam Doran and Jason Kolokithas doing the scoring – Kolokithas adding an interception on defense as well for good measure.
With the win UCD, snuff out any niggling doubts that may have arisen after their victorious streak ended last weekend, but can no longer claim to be top dogs (unless they beat Belfast in the Shamrock Bowl of course). The Rebels on the other hand are clearly in need of a rebuild, and can take plenty of lessons from the way the 2025 season has panned out.
Louth Mavericks 43 – Cill Dara Crusaders 00
I mean did we ever really envision this one going any way other than in favour of the Mavericks? The raging bulls burst out of the gates in Dundalk on Saturday afternoon, scoring 29 unanswered points in the first half and never gave the Crusaders a chance to mount a comeback. Ty Henry did what he did best and spread the ball around, connecting with Fin O’Donovan, Brandon Poulin and twice to Nathan Hearty, while Fin also added a rushing touchdown to go along nicely with the one scored by Alan Minto.
The Mavericks defense did their part as well, picking off Jordan Farrell a total of three times with Conor Keely, Pat Gahan and Eamon Ward all earning interceptions.
At this point it’s really hard to see past the Mavericks lifting the Harp Bowl in July, but a handful of teams could challenge them yet and you never know what could happen on any given Sunday. We’ll stop short of prematurely crowning them champions, but unless anyone else can seriously step up their game (or clone Ty Henry) the odds are heavily in their favour for some silverware later this summer.
Wexford Eagles 42 – Northwest Vipers 08
By god the Eagles are hanging in there with all they have! The last time I saw the Wexford lads in action, they didn’t let a lack of numbers stop them from putting on a gutsy display against Westmeath and with three games left to go they are by no means out of the running for the postseason! The usual suspects stood up in a big way in Gorey on Saturday, as the home side almost shut out the Vipers who had made the gruelling trip down from Greysteel. Both sides of the ball were firing on all cylinders and scoring points in equal measure with Terry Carey, Luke Fitzpatrick and Trevor Smith all crossing the whitewash while on the attack defense a no fly zone was in operation as Shane Whelan and Trevor Smith both nabbed pick sixes.
Cillian Buckley also deserves a special mention, earning two receptions in his first ever game, while also displaying some great blocking.
The Vipers didn’t leave empty handed however, scoring a late rushing TD courtesy of Alan Creswell who also added the point conversion. The late score would be the extent of their comeback attempt. Now sitting at 2-3 the Eagles control their own destiny with regards to the playoffs and a post season push. And with a man like Ross McCooey at the helm, there is absolutely nothing stopping them.
UL Vikings 20 – Craigavon Cowboys 00
A shoutout for the Vikings at home should be enough to see them stay alive in the Premier division for another season, while the Cowboys are likely destined for demotion. A Ray Burke Pick Six along with a pair of rushing touchdowns from Danny Quilter and Chris O’Mahony sealed the deal for UL on home turf, while excellent defensive play from Jack McClain and Brett Switzer denied their opponents any shot of seeing the endzone with key interceptions.
This season seems to have been all about survival for the Vikings, who until now had been locked in an apparent three way tie for survival. But this win lifts them out of the relegation zone and gives them at least another year to make some strides in the top flight of Irish American football.