It was billed as the top of the table clash to decide the highest seated team in the league heading towards the IAFL1 play offs.
Pictures by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
The Craigavon Cowboys, the league’s best offence sat only one point behind the Vipers, the leauge’s best defence in what proved to be a gladiatorial display of epic proportions from both teams. Head to head points are all that matter in this league so both teams had it all on the line with the winner securing the top spot in the league.
The Vipers went into the game with a 6-1 record with a six game wining streak including an impressive win away to Cowboys only two weeks ago that catapulted them to the top of the IAFL1 division.
The Cowboys had an equal record of 6-1 after their narrow one point defeat to the Vipers which ended there unbeaten run in the league and had proved to the Cowboys that the Vipers were the real deal.
Colaiste Ailigh would be the scene for one of the most anticipated match ups of the season. The Cowboys, crowned Champions of Ireland 3 times since their founding in 1986, would have been confident as the Vipers young gunslingers rode into their home town pitch having been founded just 2 1/2 years ago.
The fans came out in their hundreds to support the local team and to take in the unusual site of a full contact American Football game on one of the best Gaelic footballing grounds in the County. The conditions were perfect for football as the Vipers took to the field. The toss was won by the Cowboys and they choose to return the kick.
The game opened frantically and after some good work by The Cowboys offense, they scored an early TouchDown but they could not convert the extra point and went into a 6-0 lead early in the 1st qtr. The Red and Gold lost Defensive lineman Chris Tinney in the fourth drive of the game to a dislocated ankle after a fellow teammate fell onto it after a tackle.
The Vipers defence where struggling to shut down the Cowboys throwing game and time after time in the first quarter of the game they were punished with huge plays from the inspired Craigavon men.
On the other side for the field, the Vipers offence were struggling to make yards and in an attempt to make a first down Vipers QB Danny Mullan fired a long pass up field only to be intercepted.
The Cowboys capitalised on the slow start from the Vipers and after some great running from half back number 44 Gary Owens, they got a first down deep into the Vipers back field. The QB faked a hand off and they threw into the Vipers end zone for a touchdown to bring their lead to 12-0 as the extra point was no good.
With such an early lead against a much more experienced team you’d be forgiven for thinking it would be a long day for The Vipers defence, but that’s not Vipers football and they quickly asserted their will on the field. the first quarter drew to an end and the Vipers defence was not to be breached again for the entire game.
The Offence tried hard in the second quarter to make some hard yards for the team and to give the defence some much needed rest time. Mullen did find some short yardage completions to wide receivers Darren Gibson a local Donegal man and to Ryan Brolly, but the Cowboys limited the Vipers process up the field far to often.
The Mullan to Brolly combination was not working on the day with the Vipers O line coming under serious pressure resulting in Mullan having to rush the pass. The half time whistle couldn’t come fast enough for the Vipers. As the crowd enjoyed the music, entertainment, free donuts and drinks on offer from game day sponsors Kernans Retail and Dining group and Top Oil Ireland the Vipers were in full battle preparations for the second half.
The Vipers returned to the field like a wounded animal and the defence went to work, forcing three turnovers from some great work by Busty Quinn, Donegal man Paul O Donnell and Ireland international Peter Farrell. The smash brother’s Kyle McAneny and Corey mc Kenna laid out some big hits and Ryan Brolly, in at safety laid out a number of players to show the Cowboys the Vipers would not go down easy.
Then came the biggest hit of the game for the Vipers where Danny Mullan pulled of a trade mark tackle to end the day for the Cowboys running back Gary Owens who took a heavy knock to the knee.
The Offence re energised from watching the Defence in action took to the field. With some tough yards from the Viper Running Backs Corey McKenna and Michael McCay the Vipers moved down the field. A pass from Vipers QB Danny Mullan saw him connect with WR Ryan Brolly for some much needed yards.
A great individual pounding run in traffic saw The Vipers march up the field by fullback Derm Brown and that got the vipers within scoring distances which ignited the crowd. However it was not to be, Mullan’s pass was intercepted by the Cowboys defence and ended the drive.
There were to be more moments of brilliance from the D as they refused to give up on the game with Nial Lyons, Colin McGinley and defensive captain Paddy McGuire leaving it all out on the field. Darren Gibson latched onto a fantastic pass from Mullan at the 40 yard line but on the fourth down the Vipers choose to kick but it was unsuccessful.
With just a few minutes left the tension was all too noticeable. With the Vipers offence of the field and with just minutes left it was over to the Cowboys to run down the clock.
As the final whistle blew the day was lost for the men in the Red and Gold and the Cowboys celebrated their win.
The Vipers were held to a no score game for only the second time in their history in a true testament to the travelling Cowboys, who finish top of the table and are the top seed in the play offs where they will face the fourth placed team the Wexford Eagles.
The Vipers finish second in the table and secure home field advantage in their play off against the third placed Louth Mavericks who will travel to Drumahoe this Sunday in an-all-or nothing showdown for the Vipers.
Win and they reach the Play off final in what is known as the Bowl Game, the winner of that gains promotion to the top flight of American football in Ireland the Shamrock Bowl Conference.
Sunday’s defeat could be the salt the Vipers need to turnover the Mavericks, the Viper know they can do it but it is going to be a cracking game.
Kick of this Sunday is 2pm at the YMCA grounds in Drumahoe and the Vipers would like to invite everyone down to support the team.
A Family fun day is all set up with free food samples from Vipers sponsors Nando’s and game day sponsor Papa Busty’s Pizza. There will be music, giveaways, Live commentary and much more. Join us for what will be a season defining match.
