(c) IAFL

The Dublin Rebels defeated the three-time defending champions University of Limerick Vikings 15-0 in the Shamrock Bowl XXIV on Saturday, August 7 held at the Tallaght Stadium in Ireland.

The game was played in front of a Shamrock Bowl record crowd of 1,500 including European Federation President Robert Huber and Mayor Eamonn Moloney.

The Rebels defense dominated the game intercepting the Vikings four times in the second half as Rebels defensive back Brian Carter was named the game Most Valuable Player.

The Rebels scored early in the first quarter with the drive starting on the Vikings 44-yard line after a blocked punt.  After two runs by running back Aaron Smith, Rebels quarterback Andrew Dennehy found receiver Barry Flinn in the endzone for a 32-yard touchdown to give the Rebels an early 6-0 lead.

The Vikings caused a turnover of their own later in the quarter when Craig Brouder recovered a Rebels fumble, but the Vikings failes to capitalize and the Rebels regained possession.

Early in the second quarter, the Rebels extended their lead to 9-0 with a 26-yard field goal by Ian McDonald.

Both teams ran the ball well for the remainder of the half with Adrian Garvey and James Twoomey picking up yardage for the Vikings and the tandem of Smith and Sam Hodgins picking up yardage for the Rebels. However, both secondaries played well, preventing either team from getting into the endzone.

The teams exchanged punts in the third quarter as the defenses continued to dominate. The defensive domination was more due to skillful pass defense and some big hits from the front seven of both teams rather than offensive miscues.

Early in the fourth quarter, Ross McCooey of the Rebels intercepted the Vikings at midfield - his second of the game - however the Rebels failed to capitalize, missing a 34-yard field goal. On their next drive, Vikings quarterback Liam Ryan had to leave the game and was replaced by Marc Ashworth. From that point forward, the Rebels defense began to dominate. Game MVP Brian Carter made an interception, but Brendan McCarthy of the Vikings stopped the Rebels ensuing drive with an interception of his own.

The Rebels sealed the win, following an Andy Flynn interception, running back Sam Hodgins scored a touchdown with a 19-yard sweep left play after having already run for two first downs to get into scoring range.

The Dublin Rebels win means that they are the first team to win six Shamrock Bowls. Rebels GM Fergal O'Hanlon said that he is delighted with his team's victory which comes on the back of a perfect regular season record. After presenting the Shamrock Bowl trophy, IAFA President, Greg Loughran commended both teams for putting on a hard hitting, yet very entertaining game of football.

Click here to view play by play blog by Action81: http://action81.com/blog/?p=2499

Extended highlights of the game will be broadcast on Setanta Sports during the coming week.