by Shaun Mc Grory
American Football: The Donegal Derry Vipers for qualified for the IAFL1 Play-Offs following a hard fought win over The West Dublin Rhinos. With 2 games to spare in the regular season, The Vipers booked their spot in post season football and guaranteed themselves AT LEAST a top 3 finish.
The second placed Vipers took on The Rhinos in Drumahoe on Sunday past and knew everything was on the line.
On the back of a 4 game winning streak the Vipers welcomed the men from Dublin who had defeated them in the opening game of the season.
The Vipers controlled the game for large parts and the defense seemed almost impenetrable. Huge tackles from Paul O’Donnell and Isaac Sullivan saw the Vipers concede only 8 points all game and have conceded less that 60 points total in their 6 games so far this season.
On offense it was a solid performance and the Red and Gold added another 3 TD to their total. It was another victory for the Vipers and one that saw the now infamous Ryan Brolly bag 2 TD catches from QB Daniel Mullan and also a return to form for Running Back Derm Brown who ran in a TD for himself.
The victory sees The Vipers solidify their position at no 2 in the division but their last 2 games are against a tough opponent.
In the Craigavon Cowboys the Vipers will face the top team in the IAFL1 division with the knowledge that 1 victory guarantees home field advantage in the semis and 2 wins sees them clinch top spot in only their first year in IAFL1.
Vipers Running back Mickey Mc Kay making hard yards.
Photo: Desmond Loughery
What lies in store for The Vipers is anyone’s quess but this team is one to watch, in the present and for years to come.
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