Whether you are a club member or a fan, our brand new website contains many new features.
Sign up now to avail of our sites full features. This includes secure access to our forums and many other goodies not available to the general public. Do you want to play or work for the Rebels, check out our Recruitment Page
Enjoy your stay!

DUBLIN REBELS: IAFL LEAGUE & CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS 2008

IAFL CENTRAL DIVISION

TEAM	Pld	Won	Loss	Tie	F	A	Points
DUBLIN REBELS	8	7	1	0	301	22	14
DUBLIN CITY UNIV. SAINTS	8	4	4	0	133	141	8
DUBLIN RHINOS	8	1	7	0	49	295	2

IAFL NORTH DIVISION

TEAM	Pld	Won	Loss	Tie	F	A	Points
BELFAST TROJANS	8	6	2	0	226	79	12
CARRICKFERGUS KNIGHTS	8	3	5	0	156	193	6
BELFAST BULLS	8	2	6	0	84	262	4

IAFL SOUTH DIVISION

TEAM	Pld	Won	Loss	Tie	F	A	Points
UL VIKINGS	8	7	1	0	286	88	14
CORK ADMIRALS	8	6	2	0	332	92	12
TALLAGHT OUTLAWS	8	0	8	0	0	434	0

---

DV 8's DIVISION 8 Aside Development League

TEAM	Pld	Won	Loss	Tie	F	A	Points
DUBLIN REBELS 2nds	5	5	0	0	140	14	24
CRAIGAVON COWBOYS	5	4	1	0	172	52	20
CORK ADMIRALS 2nds	4	3	1	0	64	12	14
DUBLIN DRAGONS	5	2	3	0	127	152	11
TCD THUNDERBOLTS	6	1	5	0	93	178	5
EDENDERRY SOLDIERS	5	0	5	0	33	229	1

Win = 4pts, Tie = 2pt, Loss = 0pts, Bonus Points for 3 TDs = 1pt.

Dublin Rebels @ UL Vikings, 22nd June 2008.

The visit of the Dublin Rebels to Limerick to face the UL Vikings had been anticipated from the beginning of the season. In 2007, UL ended the Rebels streak of 4 consecutive Shamrock Bowl victories and the consensus among the Irish American Football community was that this marked the changing of the guard, a victory for youth over experience. Many thought that the Vikings now represented the future of the IAFL with the Rebels a mere memory of the past and former greatness.

However, any member of the Rebels will be quick to point out that the Vikes never faced the former champs on the way to picking up the Bowl, and in that sense, had not truly unseated the 4 time winners. The talk leading up the game was just that though, talk, and only the outcome on the field could begin to settle the dispute.

The atmosphere before the game was noticeably intense, as the Limerick side roared through their pre-game warm-ups while the Rebels maintained an almost eerie silence. The stage was truly set for an almighty clash, with the league title and number one seed in the playoffs at stake.

The Vikings took the opening kick-off and began on offence facing into a stiff wind. Without QB J.P. Nerburn, they leaned heavily on their running game, looking for RB Seamus Hogan to lead the attack. On the first drive however, UL went 3 and out and a blocked punt on 4th down gave the Rebels the ball inside Viking territory. The Dublin team also came out running with RB Sam Hodgins needing just two hand-offs before taking the ball into the endzone to give the Rebels an early one score lead.

On their next possession, the Vikes again struggled to move the ball and to make matters worse; an injury to Hogan left them without their primary running threat. As a result the Rebels again took over with good field position and Hodgins continued to march his team downfield. With the Limerick defence beginning to focus in on the running game, QB Andy Dennehy took a shot towards the endzone and found WR Barry Flinn in behind CB Danny Smith for a 27-yard touchdown. The score now stood at 12-0 after a second consecutive missed PAT by K Paul Grogan, prompting Special Teams coach Henry Wasserman to forego his safe-keeping of Hodgins’ jelly babies, slamming them to the ground and saying ‘Jeez Grogan’ at least twice.

Back on offence, the Vikings began to get moving and drove into the Rebels redzone before turning the ball over on downs, leaving the Rebels with the ball on their own 8-yard line. A false start penalty on Hodgins moved the ball back halfway towards their own goal line and 2 stuffed runs left the visitors in a difficult 3rd and long situation. Facing a punt into the wind, the Rebels knew they needed some breathing space, and Dennehy opted to hit Hodgins on a screen pass to find some. With the help of some excellent downfield blocking, the back huffed and puffed his way down the sideline, suffocating the Vikings as he crossed the goal line for a 96-yard TD reception, leaving the home side a gasp and the crowd a gape. Flinn added the 2xpt to put the Rebels up 20-0 going into halftime.

If the game had not already had its turning point, the first play of the second half was surely that, as the Vikings opening kick-off of the second half was caught by Hodgins, who took it all the way back for a touchdown, completing his trifecta of scoring for the day and seemingly crushing any new hope that the Vikings may have found while regrouping during half-time. However, at 26-0, the Limerick side were not going to lie down and take a beating, and with almost 2 full quarters left to play, they had reason to believe it could be done.

With a new urgency about them, and with some Rebel defenders going down with injuries, the Vikes began to move the ball with more success, capping off a long drive with QB Liam Ryan running the ball in from 8 yards out, making the game 26-8 after the 2 point conversion. The Rebels weren’t done scoring though, and in the middle of the 3rd quarter they extended their lead with Hodgins again going in on the ground on a counter play, for his 4th of the day and 11th of the season.

Still, the Vikings continued to press, and with the Rebels inexplicable ill-discipline and mounting heap of injured bodies, the Vikings made it a two-score game late in the 4th with Ryan finding wide-out Seamus Feehan for a TD reception. With the score at 32-16, UL held hope, until an onside kick bobbled out of bounds and the Rebels took over on offence. They did enough to wind the clock down, with only one first down necessary before Dennehy could kneel the game out, securing victory, the league title, and the number one seed for the play-offs.

However, the real prize remains unclaimed, and the dispute as to who are the true champions of Ireland won’t be settled until the 10th of August, with the Trojans, Admirals and Saints still vying for the right to that name. The original 9 has been whittled down to 5; the culling of the weak has taken place and only the mighty will continue.

The regular season is over.

It’s playoff time.

Belfast Bulls @ Dublin Rebels, 15th June 2008.

The Dublin Rebels hosted the Belfast Bulls on Sunday, looking to keep the pressure up on current league leaders, the UL Vikings, while the Bulls needed a win to help keep their hopes of a wildcard spot in the playoffs alive. With so much at stake, and with a rivalry growing in intensity every year, the stage was set for a game similar to last year’s fixture, when the Rebels carved out a 6-0 victory in a contest dominated by defence.

However, there was only one defence dominating this time around, as the Rebels recorded their 4th consecutive shut-out, while the Bulls wilted in the face a potent attack from the home team. The Rebels paraded down the field early on through the running of Sam Hodgins, who picked up a number of first downs before QB Andy Dennehy threw the first of his 5 touchdown passes to WR Barry Flinn. With the Bulls leaving all the Rebel receivers in single coverage, Dennehy began spreading the ball around, first finding H-Back Paul Grogan in the middle of the endzone and then Flinn again on a deep fade pattern for 6 points.

The game looked out of sight early on for the Bulls as their offence struggled to get going. Fumbled exchanges between centre and quarterback and intense pressure from DE Steve Walsh in particular put them in long 3rd down situations, with a couple of errant throws leading to a pair of interceptions by safety Marcus Naylor as the Bulls QB tried to force some life into his spluttering offence. They didn’t fare much better on the ground; with defensive captain Ross McCooey making plays from MLB while the fast and aggressive OLBs Gavin Kane and Kevin Finnegan contained any outside runs.

Meanwhile, Dennehy continued to attack the Bulls through the air, finding TE Paul Smyth in the flat, where he picked the ball off his shoelaces before clambering past the goal line with a Belfast defender wrapped around his waist. The Bulls responded to this aerial clubbing by dropping back into coverage, but with fewer men to defend against the run, the wily Dennehy simply placed the ball in the hands of RBs Hodgins and Finnegan, with Finnegan the first to break the plane.

With the Bulls unable to stop either run or pass, and the Rebels happily switching between the two depending on the defensive alignment they faced, Dennehy threw another TD pass to Flinn and Finnegan crossed the goal line for his second. With the game now in hand, the Dublin side began to experiment with RB Hodgins taking a toss left and turning it into a 60 yard TD completion to Flinn. It was a particularly touching moment for the two teammates and best friends, who had both recently been battling self-doubt and tiredness, as they sought each other out after the play and argued over who should keep the game ball. Neither was allowed but the argument ended in smiles.

As the game began to wind down, the Bulls started launching desperate passes, one of which ended up in the hands of DE Stephen Archibald who took it back 18 yards to the house to further deflate the visitors, stretching the lead to 65-0.

To close the game out, QB Dennehy was taken out with back-up Paul Grogan switching from H-Back to take his place. Although the Rebels were intent on running out the clock, Grogan did manage to hit Hodgins on a screen for his first career TD toss, becoming the 3rd Rebel of the day to throw a touchdown pass. Earlier on he had also become the first ever Rebel to kick a field goal, connecting on a 34 yarder.

Up 72-0 and with time running out, LB Kane had the final say, demolishing that goon Yank on the final kick off, who seemed dizzy and disorientated when back on his feet. No doubt the feeling was mutual for his teammates, who are used to far more competitive games against the Dublin team. However, the two may yet meet again in the playoffs, and if so, who knows what turn this fascinating and bitter rivalry will take…

Dublin Rebels @ DCU Saints, ALSAA, Santry. 25/05/2008.

The Dublin Rebels took on the DCU Saints in search of a clean sweep of their IAFL Central opponents, following 2 comprehensive victories over the Rhinos and a 25-0 defeat of the Saints in their home fixture. On a blustery day in ALSAA, the Rebels did just this, scoring 6 touchdowns and racking up their 5th shutout of the season on their way to a 39-0 victory.

The Saints showed their intention from the outset by stacking the line of scrimmage with 8, and even 9 defenders, daring QB Andy Dennehy to tackle the elements. And with the wind swirling, the Rebels took to the ground through RBs Sam Hodgins and Kevin Finnegan initially. However, the first score of the game came with Dennehy braving the air and hooking up with WR Dave O’ Neill on a fade route for an 11 yard TD strike, clearly unafraid of DCU’s taunting defensive strategy.

On defence, the Rebels struggled at times to contain the elusive running of RB Dave McMahon, thought of by his team-mates as the best runner in the league. The Rebels run defence was stingy enough though to force QB Cormac Eklof to go in search of his receivers down the field, which proved to be a mistake as he was intercepted on 4 occasions, twice by rookie sensation, CB David McKeating who brought his tally for the season to 5, once by MLB Ross McCooey, and once by 300lb DT Steve Wilson, who plucked the ball out of the air one-handed like a toothy lijagulep snatching a leaping ocelot out of the sky mid-jump.

Back on offence the Rebels began to wear down the DCU front 8 with Finnegan going in from 9 yards and McCooey, who also saw time at FB, pounding the ball over the goal line from a yard out after WR Shahin Nikroo picked up yards through the air and Hodgins in particular had slalomed his way down the field through the gaps paved by all 5 Rebel linemen. However, the Rebels constantly shot themselves in the foot with penalties that negated two Hodgins touchdowns and a 30-yard reception by TE Barry Flinn, leaving them in difficult third-and-long situations. Dennehy would later find Flinn for a TD on a 33-yard reception, finding a seam in the middle of the field left empty by the Saints safeties who were pre-occupied with stopping the run.

Down 27-0 in the 4th quarter, any chance of a Saints comeback was quashed when, what looked like an interception by CB Willie Coyne was ruled an incomplete pass. The Rebels began to run out the clock, and Hodgins finally put his name on the score sheet when he took a hand-off up the middle and broke a 43-yard run into the endzone. To close the game out, he later retrieved some of the glory taken by McCooey earlier by taking it in himself from a yard out. K Paul Grogan’s 3rd extra point of the day made it a comfortable 39-0 scoreline for the Rebels. With their spot in the playoffs now assured, they turn their attention to the visit of the Belfast Bulls on the 15th June. The Saints meanwhile, remain in the hunt for the 5th and final Wildcard spot in the playoffs, but will need some big performances to get it.

Final Score: Dublin Rebels 39-0 DCU Saints.


Dublin Rebels 2nds @ Trinity Thunderbolts, ALSAA, Santry. 25/05/2008.

The Trinity Thunderbolts hosted the Dublin Rebels 2nds team in their final regular season game of their inaugural season as members of the IAFL. Coming off their first win, a 51-20 defeat of the Dublin Dragons, and with the taste of victory fresh, the students were fired up to finish the season on a high.

In the early stages, it looked as though the Bolts might pull off an upset as the Rebels offence stalled after some good pick-ups on the ground through RB Ross McCooey and QB Barry Flinn. However, Trinity’s offence could not take advantage as LB’s Mick Stankard, Luke Begley and Darren Conway made countless tackles at the line of scrimmage. Eventually, the Rebels broke the deadlock when, after McCooey bull-dozed up the field on a screen pass and Flinn found some running room on a bootleg, the 240lb RB McCooey powered over the goal line from 3 yards. He then added the extra point from the same distance out to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead.

The Rebels made it a two-score game later in the 2nd quarter when H-Back Paul Grogan took a reverse 11 yards to go into the end zone untouched. RB Marcus Naylor added the extra point on a straightforward run up the middle. Into the 2nd half and in need of points, the Bolts found themselves rooted inside their 5-yard line after another Rebel drive stalled. Trying to run their way out of trouble, Begley penetrated the Trinity offensive line, meeting the runner in the end zone for a safety, bringing the score to 16-0.

On their next possession, Trinity took to the air through the arm of QB Hal Spottiswoode who connected with WR Dave Corcoran on a remarkable diving catch, taking them into Rebel territory. Their next attempt to hook up went incomplete however, and the Rebels took over on downs midway through the 4th quarter. After a number of positional switches that saw H-Back Grogan move to quarterback, among others, the new QB found Flinn, now back out at WR, on a comeback route which he turned into a 63-yard touchdown reception, as the game finished 22-0 to the undefeated Rebel 8’s.

The Rebels 2nds must now take on the Craigavon Cowboys, themselves undefeated, twice, in games that may well decide the playoff standings in the DV-8’s league. Trinity, meanwhile, will start their off-season programme, no doubt looking to add players to their squad in their bid to progress to the senior 11’s league next season.

Dublin City Rhinos @ Dublin Rebels, Sportslink, Santry. 18/5/2008.

The Dublin Rhinos came into town on the back of a 66-0 defeat in the reverse fixture, and were clearly looking for an improved result against the division leaders, the Dublin Rebels. Though they cut back the final score by a couple of touchdowns, the Rebels were rarely threatened, and ran out comfortable 52-0 winners against a depleted crash of rhinos, whose small squad gave a spirited and determined performance.

The Rebels were without starting RBs Sam Hodgins and Kevin Finnegan, meaning a return to the backfield for veteran Marcus Naylor, who also started at free safety. He shared carries with MLB Ross McCooey, who provided the thunder to Naylor’s lightning, the kind not seen since former RB Chris Winton left for the Dallas Cowboys. Both defensive standouts relished the opportunity to play on the other side of the ball, combining for over 100 yards on the ground and snagging a touchdown each.

However, with a healthy Andy Dennehy back at quarterback, the Rebels offence were determined to air the ball out, which is exactly what they did, creating a balanced attack which the Rhinos struggled to contain. Their first score came on the back of a long Naylor run to the redzone, capped off with a 5 yard toss from Dennehy to WR Barry Flinn in the corner of the endzone.

The Rhinos offence sought to attack the Rebels on the ground, both with the power running of RB Robbie Smith between the tackles and the scrambling of QB Sean Power around the perimeter. Power also looked for holes in the Rebels secondary but there were none to be found, causing the QB to throw the ball away several times. Picking up a number of first downs on the ground, the Rhinos drove to the Rebels goal line and on more than one occasion, opted not to kick a field goal on 4th down, inside the 5-yard line. Here, the Rebels defence showed why it has given up just one score all season, keeping the Rhinos out and turning the ball over on downs.

Meanwhile, Dennehy continued attacking the Rhinos secondary, finding 6’6 TE Paul Smyth in the middle of the end zone, and then Flinn again near the pylon, after more excellent running from Naylor and McCooey and some big gains by WR Dave O’ Neill, not to mention a 29 yard scramble by a spinning and weaving Dennehy, looking much like his brother, retired IAFL legend RB Brian. Countless penalties on the Rebels made life difficult, but after H-Back Paul Grogan cradled Dennehy’s 4th TD pass in the end zone, the Rebels had put the game beyond doubt. They began icing the clock through Naylor and McCooey, both of whom broke the plane in the third quarter, as did Dennehy himself, going in from 7 yards on a bootleg.

The Rhinos continued to press but came up short inside the 5. The Rebels offence took the field for the last time and finished the game off with a final TD pass from Dennehy to Flinn, bringing the final score to 52-0.

Final Score: Dublin Rebels 52-0 Dublin City Rhinos

DCU Saints @ Dublin Rebels, Sportslink, Santry. 4/5/2008.

The DCU Saints and Dublin Rebels renewed their IAFL Central rivalry on Sunday, with the visiting Saints making the short trip down the R132 to Sportslink, Santry. With the sun shining and the breeze still, conditions were ideal for passing, however Rebels QB Andy Dennehy was ruled unfit to play during pre-game warm-ups with a fractured thumb, leaving back-up Barry Flinn to go under centre for the first time. The Rebels were also without offensive captain and starting left tackle, Fergal ‘Sunday’ O’ Hanlon, forcing some re-shuffling along the offensive line, with young Alex Mason making his first career start.

The Rebels moved the ball effectively in the 1st quarter with RBs Sam Hodgins and Kevin Finnegan finding yards against a stout DCU run defense that kept 8 men in the box throughout the game. QB Flinn nearly connected with WR Paul Grogan for a big gain but Grogan was ruled not to have kept his feet in bounds, while WR Tom Berrigan was also unfortunate not to haul in another deep ball. Finally though, Flinn did manage to find The Man From Tehran, WR Shahin Nikroo, in the end zone, for the receiver’s first career touchdown in his first start.

Saints QB Cormac Eklof was also unafraid to go to the air but found little success against strong coverage by the Rebels secondary. Despite some completions to WRs Dave Mullins and Willie Coyne, Eklof would later be picked off by veteran CB Stephen Archibald, who took it back 37 yards to the house. The Saints also struggled to run the ball consistently with the strong and experienced Rebels defensive line plugging the gaps and the Rebels linebacking crew gobbling up any ball-carrier in sight.

After a promising first quarter Flinn began to struggle at QB, often under-throwing his receivers and giving up yardage by taking some huge sacks. He too was intercepted later in the game, while looking for TE Paul Smyth in the middle of the field. The Rebels offense stabilised by leaning on the legs of Sam Hodgins, who punched the ball in twice from 5 and 7 yards out after some heavily run-oriented drives, either side of Archibald’s TD return. That the Rebels could run so effectively against a DCU defense that rightly lost respect for the passing game is a testament to the blocking of the Rebels offensive line which has long established itself as one of, if not the best units in the IAFL. In the end, the Rebels turned to their traditional power running and smothering defense philosophy to churn out a 25-0 victory in a game to be remembered more for its grunt than glamour.

---

Immediately afterwards, the Rebel’s DV-8’s team took to the field against the newly formed Trinity Thunderbolts, coached by former Rebel Darrin O’ Toole. The Rebels came out running with rookie Jamie Martin-Grace carrying the load, finding the endzone twice early on. A 2 point-conversion from the now grumpy and beleaguered Barry Flinn on a bootleg made the score 14-0 and it looked as though the Rebels would win comfortably.

However, the students refused to lie down and came back with aggression and enthusiasm. An interception by CB Mark Crowley gave the Bolts good field position and QB Hal Spottiswoode Hodson lead a balanced offensive attack down the field before taking the ball in himself from 5 yards out on a QB sneak. A successful 2-point conversion made the score 14-8 midway through the 3rd quarter and the game was set up for an exciting final quarter.

At this point though, the Rebels depth showed as Trinity began to tire, with many of their players playing both offense and defense. Veteran RB Sam Hodgins relieved Martin-Grace and stretched the Rebels lead with a long touchdown run. The Rebels defense found a second wind and prevented Trinity from moving the football. QB Flinn happily spent the remainder of the game placing the ball in rookie Martin-Grace’s hands who ran in three late TDs to cap off a remarkable day for the young runner, with 5 touchdown runs in total.

The final scoreline of 39-8 flattered the Rebels who, while deserving of the win, were tested severely by the young Thunderbolts through 3 quarters. The teams meet again in 3 weeks time in Trinity’s final regular season game and the Rebels would be wise to expect a backlash against a young team beginning to realise its potential.

DUBLIN REBELS 00-06 CORK ADMIRLAS

Venue: Sportslink SantryDublin
Sunday 13th March 2008

SCORERS:
1st quarter: No Scoring
2nd quarter: No Scoring
3rd quarter: Matteo Spada - 70 Yard catch and run
4th quarter: No Scoring

REPORT:
In 2007 the Admirals and Rebels played two close games, each winning one game by two points. Both teams expected another close battle and the game materialised into just that.

The Rebels played with the wind in the first quarter and a nice Paul Grogan kickoff sent the Admirals deep in their own territory. The home side defense played well in the first quarter, preventing the Admirals from gaining a first down on three consecutive possessions, with Ross McCooey and Steve Walsh playing some excellent run defense. The Admirals' defense matched the intensity of the home sides' and prevented the Rebels from scoring despite being given poor field position by the offense early in the game. Marcus Gates, Danny Deinert, Martin Mulrey and Willy O'Brien played well in the Admirals front seven.

With the change of ends at quarter the Admirals offense managed to help out their defense by gaining a couple of first downs in a better offensive series, one each through Alain Pezeron and Keith O'Callaghan. Despite this the Rebels defense held strong and stuffed the Admirals attack, preventing the score. At halftime the score was still tied at zero.

The Admirals played with the wind in the third quarter but the Rebels offense put together their best drive of the day. Sam Hodgins had some nice runs, reading his blocks well. A stop by the Admirals defense forced the Rebels to punt. In the most bizarre event of the day Marcus Gates partially blocked the rebels punt, but it was caught beyond the line of scrimmage by the Rebels Marcus Naylor who managed to pick up the first down yardage and keep the offensive series alive. Cork's Peter Lucey managed to end this promising offensive drive with a diving interception. On the next series David Lomasney threw deep to Matteo Spada who scored on a 70yard catch and run effort.

A penalty for excessive celebration meant the Admirals conversion attempt failed. This exact scenario occurred in last years semi-final game when the Rebels took the lead, so both teams were well aware that a single score could yet win the game for either side.

Now in the fourth quarter the Rebels put together a nice drive, to build some momentum and again reached Admirals territory. An Andy Hempel interception of a tipped ball swung the momentum back in the visitors' favour for now. With little time left on the clock the Admirals offense did not manage to make first down yardage after the Rebels defense forced a 3 and out. After the punt the Rebels had just over one minute remaining to move 70 yards to score. Andrew Dennehy directed an effective drive that used the sideline well to stop the clock. Sam Hodgins picked up some good yardage on screen passes while Barry Flinn caught three passes on the sideline to stop the clock. With three seconds to go Dennehy connected with Barry Flinn just shy of the Cork goal line. However a defensive penalty gave the Rebels one last try from twenty-five yard line. A nice pass to the corner of the endzone to Barry Flinn was barely tipped by Peter Lucey and Andy Hempel to preserve the 6-0 lead for the visitors.

From IAFL website.

DUBLIN REBELS 66 – 00 DUBLIN RHINOS

Venue: Castleknock Community College
Sunday 13th April 2008

SCORERS:
1st Quarter: (REB) Sam Hodgins, 10yd run, Barry Flinn 2xpt.
(REB) Dave O’Neill, 20 yd pass from Andrew Dennehy.
(REB) B Flinn, 30 yard pass from A. Dennehy, Kevin Finnegan 2xpt
(REB) K Finnegan, 8 yd run, Paul Smyth 2xpt
2nd Quarter: (REB) Marcus Naylor, 13 yd INT return.
(REB) K Finnegan, 18yd pass from A Dennehy, B Flinn 2xpt
(REB) Paul Grogan, 10 yd run
3rd Quarter: (REB) K. Finnegan, 7 yd run and 2xpt
(REB) Tom Berrigan, 30 yd pass from A Dennehy, S Hodgins 2xpt
4th Quarter: No Scoring

REPORT:
The Dublin Rebels swept aside an eager Rhinos team today in a convincing display marked by aerial prowess through the arm of Andrew Dennehy (and his embarrassment of riches at wide receiver), the power running of running backs Kevin Finnegan and Sam ‘Sunshine’ Hodgins and the dominating presence of one of the stingiest defences in the league. Indeed the defence recovered a fumble on the very first play, which set the tone for the rest of the match. On the resulting first offensive play, the Rebels scored when Hodgins ran in from 10 yards after his Offensive Line opened a big lane for him with some key blocks.
The Rebels machine roared on and the aggressive and rampant defence, anchored by big Steve Wilson and Conor Walsh on the interior Defensive Line, totally negated the Rhinos offense, despite some earnest scrambles by their elusive Quarterback. The excellent display by the Rebel’s secondary ensured that the Rhinos had only one first down in the first half, with prescient Defensive MVP, rookie Dave McKeating (who had two picks on the day) standing out in particular.
The scoring continued in the first quarter, after great running by Hodgins and Finnegan ensured quick drives to the red zone and a couple of scores. Andrew Dennehy, who had a great day at the office, hit O’Neill and Flynn for touchdown receptions. RB Finnegan converted the 2xpt for the latter. The first quarter ended, after another rushing touchdown through Finnegan, at 30-0 to the Rebels.

The second quarter began much as the first had ended. Early on, Rebels safety and defensive coach, veteran Marcus Naylor showed he still has plenty of gas left in the tank, when he leapt like a prowling ocelot and, with a superb one-handed catch, ran the ball back 13 yards for the touchdown. RB Finnegan and WR Grogan got two more scores to put the score, and the game, out of sight.

The Rhinos did inject a little more aggression and purpose to their game in the second half. Their defense forced a three and out after some good run stuffing tackles. The Rebels were able to give their rookies some valuable game time and indeed the rookies played very well. Gary O’Neill and McKeating had an interception each in the third quarter. RB Finnegan scored his third touchdown of the day after a 7-yard run and Dennehy threw a short pass to rookie Wide Reciever Tom Berrigan, who hauled in the catch and ran 30 yards to the endzone, eluding several Rhinos defenders, and scoring his first ever touchdown in the process.

With 40 seconds to play, McKeating’s second interception of the day was returned to the Rhinos’ 3-yard line. The Rebels kneeled out the clock to finish the game 66-0.

The game was played in a competitive spirit and the Rhinos did not give up the fight, even to the very end.


By Mick Finucane (Rebel #78/88)

DUBLIN REBELS 16-00 BELFAST TROJANS

Venue: Malone Rugby Club, Belfast
Sunday 30th March 2008

SCORERS:
1st quarter: No Scoring
2nd quarter: No Scoring
3rd quarter: REB Barry Flinn, 6 yd pass from Andy Dennehy, Sam Hodgins 2xpt
4th quarter: REB Sam Hodgins, 20 yd run, Sam Hodgins 2xpt

REPORT:
Rebels grind out an opening win.

The Dublin Rebels overturned last season’s defeat to the Trojans with a gritty and determined performance on both sides of the line of scrimmage in a hard fought and very close victory. Before kick-off, right on cue, the Belfast sunshine gave way to pellet sized hailstones and lightning, so the game was delayed some twenty minutes.

The first half was very tight, with both defenses playing very well. The hitting was hard and there were some fantastic form tackles on show, not least from the Trojans’ cornerbacks, who made some key stops. The first half was also marked by the quality kicking of both punters; Paul Grogan for the Rebels and James Kay for the Trojans and it was a cagey game of field position.

Both teams turned the ball over through fumbles. Trojans' Kai Ruggeri had two interceptions of Rebels’ QB Dennehy, one in either half and Rebels’ DB David McKeating picked Trojans’ QB Chris McKeown to win the ball back at the end of the 4th Quarter.

The Rebels Offense was stifled through the first two quarters, largely through a combination of an aggressive Trojans defense and penalties. The half ended scoreless.
Into the second half, the Rebels got the ball moving with a lot more intensity and cohesion, due to the improved team effort of the experienced Offensive line which opened up holes and lanes for the power running of Sam Hodgins.
The first score of the game came after the Rebels drove from their own 10 to the Trojans’ 6 yd line. QB Dennehy hit a wide open WR Barry Flinn for the touchdown. Hodgins ran in the 2xpt behind a great surge by the Offensive Line.

The Trojans found it very difficult to move the ball against a terrific Rebels’ defense, particularly up the middle, where interior linemen Conor Walsh and Steve Wilson had outstanding displays. Indeed, defensive captain Ross McCooey marshaled his troops very well and the entire defensive unit continued to stifle the Trojans’ attack, with some awesome hits going in, not least from MLB Paul Weldon.

There was continued frustration for both teams as the game of chess for field position continued, but the Rebels just edged it in terms of momentum. Penalties began to hurt the Trojans. When the Dublin team got the ball on their own 12 yard line, after another great punt by Kay, they started a great drive to march downfield. A combination of penalties and more great power running by RB Hodgins resulted in a 20 yd run for the second score. Hodgins converted his touchdown for the 2xpt.

The Trojans then stepped up a gear and Mark McSkimmin had a huge play for 30 yards which would have gone all the way for a TD, but for a super score saving tackle by Rebels’ safety Marcus Naylor on the Trojans’ player. The Rebels defense had to stay the course with two great defensive stands to thwart good drives by the improved Trojans offence. When Rebels DT Wilson recovered a fumble with a minute left on the clock, the Rebels Offense could kneel out the clock.

This was a very tough and close game throughout; a classic game of physical chess played by two very talented teams. For the Rebels at least, what stood out was the quality of the performance as a team unit.

By Mick Finucane

The other 2 matches of the day saw Carrickfergus Knights beat DCU Saints 18-7 and last years beaten finalists the Cork Admirals smash the Belfast Bulls 60-0.