Trojans Outgun Mavericks & UCD snatch playoffs – AFI Week 15
The third from last American Football Ireland regular season game week brought us several vital matchups – as Belfast made the short trip down the M1 to take on the Mavericks in a battle for the number one seed and UCD hosted Cork in a bid to secure the fourth. And while both sides were successful in their quests, they triumphed in very different ways! The Wexford Eagles also earned an important win at home against the Stags which should see them qualify for the Harp Plate game in a few weeks time. Keep reading for the lowdown on all the weekend’s Irish American Football action!
Note: It was brought to my attention that the shield/plate games will not go ahead this year and in typical AFI fashion this wasn’t widely communicated, so disregard any references below!
Belfast Trojans 41 – Louth Mavericks 34
From the moment the Mavericks won their first game back in the top flight, people realised they were for real and this game became one of the most anticipated of the season. And it did not disappoint. With the number one seed and perfect season on the line, all eyes were on Newry RFC where Louth and Belfast were squaring off in a game that many believe was a preview of the 2026 Shamrock Bowl. The two sides traded scores early on, with the inimitable Ty Henry crashing across the goal line to get the Mavericks on the board – but the brief lead was quickly negated by a pair of Rayshawn Boswell rushing touchdowns. Belfast started to pull away as the game wore on, putting up four unanswered scores before Louth could finally respond. And they did it in style through a beautiful pass from Henry to Oisin Finn in the endzone, followed by a Fin O’Donovan dive for the pylon. (Watch the sequence here). Louth would score again next and were beginning to mount a serious comeback, before Rayshawn Boswell took full control of the game and crossed the goal line another three times for a grand total of 5 scores on the day.
The Mavericks never gave up and ran the Green Machine closer than any other team has managed throughout the season, which is a testament to how good this side is. It would appear as well that the Trojans have met their equals, and now that they’ve tested each other out, July’s final should be filled with even more firepower. We cannot wait.
Wexford Eagles 32 – Antrim Stags 20
With both teams officially eliminated from playoff contention, it was pride and a place in the plate on the line in Gorey on Sunday afternoon. Another tight and exciting affair saw the sides all tied up at 20 all in the fourth quarter, until Wexford pulled ahead and held on for the win. Scott McLean put Antrim on the board early on with a well executed jet sweep to the corner of the endzone, but the Eagles answered right back with a score of their own as both sides swapped scores throughout. Terry Carey played like a man possessed, proving why he’s the heart and soul of the team, and had tallied 4 touchdowns and 200 yards by the time the final whistle went.
Ethan Orr and Joey Howe also found the endzone for the Stags, getting crucial points on the board, but their efforts ultimately proved to be futile as the home side prevailed. Lorcan Kinsella also got himself onto the scoreboard for the Eagles, while Ciaran Daley had a key strip sack fumble recovery as well. The Eagles are only a decent recruitment drive away from contending for the post season, and have an excellent shot at lifting the Harp Plate later this summer.
UCD 56 – Cork Admirals 00
There was simply no way that UCD were missing out on the playoffs this year. Domination was the name of the game on Sunday in Belfield as the boys in blue took out their frustrations for an underwhelming season on a Cork side who have also struggled and could do with the downtime of the offseason to retool. The return of Arun Mooney from injury along with one Sean McVeigh should significantly boost the student’s chances of progressing past the playoffs, and while they may have sealed the final post season spot they still have one final test in the form of the Dublin Rebels next weekend. UCD got off to a fast start and never looked back as Mooney connected with Jefferson Freeman, Sean McVeigh and Tom Donovan in quick succession.
They continued to be relentless throughout, with a Sydney Pindi forced fumble in the second quarter proving to be the breaking point. Jack O’Riordan nabbed a pair of touchdown passes in the same period, and earned a hat trick in the fourth, while Anthony Onwuka ran one in and converted as well for good measure. UCD will look to carry this momentum in their regular season finale against the Rebels next weekend, although the fact that outcome will have no bearing on the final rankings may dampen the occasion somewhat. By the way, why did nobody tell us that Sean Douglas AKA Dougie had left UCD and joined the Panthers? That seems like something that should have been made public knowledge! A massive get for the Division one side as they seek a place in the Harp Bowl and with it promotion back to the top flight.
Craigavon Cowboys 00 – Belfast Knights 43
It has been a tough year for Craigavon, who officially finished the season 0-8 on Sunday and at the bottom of the table. By all accounts they went out though and fought to the bitter end and you cannot fault their determination for not giving up. The Knights on the other hand have their sights firmly set on the Shamrock Bowl shield, where they will most likely face the UL Vikings, later this summer. Zach Templeton and Spencer McDowell provided Belfast’s scores on the ground – Templeton with a pair of rushing touchdowns and McDowell with a trio of the same, while Isaac Searle took an interception the other way for 6 points on defense.
Cathair Harpur, Blaine Early and Kenny McClean played smothering football throughout, and didn’t give the Cowboys an inch with a sack, safety and fumble recovery between them. The Knights are a team who have always been there or thereabouts and have the talent and drive to take things to the next level. It would not shock me at all to see them in the playoffs come next season.