Photo: Gerry O'Mahony Sunday 26 May '13 Kickoff 2pm Waterford Regional Sports Centre Dublin Dragons AFC 14 Waterford Wo...
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| Photo: Gerry O'Mahony |
Sunday 26 May '13 Kickoff 2pmWaterford Regional Sports CentreDublin Dragons AFC 14Waterford Wolves 02
This past weekend saw the Lucan based, Dublin Dragons win out over the IAFL-1 table toppers the Waterford Wolves. The Wolves held the top spot with a 2-0 unbeaten record and needed to beat their next opponent, the Dublin Dragons in order to stay on top. The pitch at Waterford Regional Sports Centre was immaculate and a crowd of 100 plus fans came out to watch the game.
Neither team had success on their opening drives and when the Wolves regained possession on the 30 yard line, Quarterback Eoin Reihardt connected with Running Back Ger O' Keffe for a 1st down. The Wolves then conceded a penalty, there was a turnover after the Quarterback was sacked on a 3rd down by Augustas Zigmantavicius. This would be one of six sacks Zigmantavicius would have in the game. The Dragons kept possession of the ball for the remainder of the first quarter. Dragons' Quarterback Conor Murphy ran 5 yards for a 1st down and on the next play he connected with Wide Receiver Mick Duncan for a 12 yard gain. The Dragons managed a 1st down, thanks to a QB run up the middle. The quarter ended with the Dragons still in possession.
The second quarter had the Waterford supporters cheering, when the Dragons' 4th Down pass was intercepted by Linebacker Micheál O'Coinn for a turnover. The Wolves made some gains with Running Back Kevin Butler, but they couldn't capitalise and their Quarterback was sacked again. The Dragons didn't fare much better in their next series of plays and saw their own Quarterback sacked by Defensive Back Cian Rienhardt. When the Dragons did get the ball back, they conceded a penalty on a 1st down and this pushed them dangerously close to their own line. The Wolves' defense hit hard and forced the Dragons' Quarterback into his own endzone and they conceded the 2 point safety. The Wolves' Quarterback was again sacked and they failed to gain a 1st down. The final play of the quarter was a catch by Dragons' Receiver Mick Duncan, giving them a 1st down.
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| Photo: Gerry O'Mahony |
At the beginning of the third quarter, the Dragons lost possession of the ball on a 2nd down. The wolves returned the favour on the very next play and this was a key turning point in the game. The Dragons dominated the third quarter, marching the ball up the field and found themselves on the Wolves' goal line. Running Back Dave Edwards ran in the Touchdown and Receiver Owen Dunne converted the 2 extra points. The Wolves gained some short yards, only to have a pass intercepted by Dragons' TK Fowler with some strong defensive play by Niall Burke.
The fourth quarter saw Wolves' Defensive Back Tomas Kirik intercept a Dragons' pass and he ran 30 yards down the field. A backward pass saw possession return back to the Dragons and they took full advantage. Some great rushing yards from Half Back Peter Worthington brought the Dragons within scoring distance again. Fullback Jimmy English punched in the Dragons' second Touchdown of the game for 6 points. The Wolves desperately needed to score and Running Back Kevin Butler weaved through the Dragons' defense for one last charge. The Dragons held strong though and finished the game 14 - 02.
The Dragons' next game is away to the Drogheda Lightning on June 16th at 2pm and the Wolves play the Tullamore Phoenix in Tullamore on June 9th at 2pm.
Dermot Durrad
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