On Sunday 18th July clubs such as Dublin Rebels, Westmeath Minotaurs, Cill Dara Crusaders, North Dublin Pirates, UCD, Trinity and the Louth Mavericks American Football Club come together for the final day of games ahead of the Flag Football Multicode Shield playoffs.
Having started the Shield season slow with a 2-win 2-loss record, the Louth Mavericks needed two wins to clinch a playoff spot. The matchups were unfavourable for the 4th-seed Mavs with their first game being scheduled against hot-shot Shield-favourites Trinity American Football club and their second fixture against third seed the Westmeath Minotaurs.
Despite being the under-dog against Trinity who also had the home advantage, the Louth Mavericks were up for the battle. Two early interceptions from 17 year old Larry “The Legend” Dabasinskas left Trinity QB Ben Dowling shell-shocked an unable find an offensive flow. Larry had spent the day before at the Irish Wolfhounds training, having received a recent call-up to try out. There, he spent the day reading starting Irish QB Ben Dowling’s tendencies which is an important skill for any American Football defensive player and assisted him greatly in the Shield fixture.
Scoring plays came from the air with QB Aaron Finley connecting with Declan Mulvihill and Nathan Hearty, for two and one touchdown’s respectively. Defensive sacks coming from Meg Eze throughout the game put further pressure on Trinity’s offence with the game being clinched off by an interception from Brendan Simms. The game finished with a shield upset 18-13 in favour of the Mavericks, and got recognition on the week’s episode of The Domestic Game podcast for being one of the best games of the season.
Unfortunately, the winning momentum couldn’t see the Mavericks through the next fixture with the Westmeath Minotaurs ultimately coming out with the coveted playoff spot. The Mavericks were in control of the scoreboard from most of the game, leading by 12 points at one stage. The Minotaurs, however, are notoriously good at slowing down offences with their awkward defensive plays. Minotaurs QB Conor Breanann staging a comeback in the fourth quarter of the game with the playoff spot being clinched by the Minotaurs on a hail-Mary pass to 6’7 wide receiver Jack Lynch, shattering the Mavericks’ Multi-Shield hopes.
Mavericks Board member Kelly Dwyer said: “a disappointing finish to a fantastic Shield campaign for the club. However, we now look ahead now to the AFI Flag League and building the full-contact kitted Senior Men’s American Football team (pictured) back up again for the Premier One AFI kitted league. These competitions have always been our priority and the win against Trinity today has gone a long way in boosting the confidence in the team and instilling the belief that Mavericks can ultimately go the distance and bring the AFI League cup home.”
“Building on the talent we already have in the club is now the number one priority for the board ahead of the Championship and DV1 league campaigns. Our Flag team (non-contact for 16yo+, men and women) trains on Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 12pm in Dundalk IT. Our Contact/Kitted team is due to return to training in Dundalk IT on Sundays at 10am.
“Ahead of this, we have organized full-contact Rookie Camps (recruitment camp) in a number of areas across Louth, starting on Sundays 8th, 15th and 22nd of August from 10 am to 1 pm in St. Oliver’s Community College. We have all of the equipment; pads and helmets, required so attendees need only bring boots and gum shields.
“There is something for everyone within the club, with senior men’s kitted American Football teams and non-contact Flag Football teams available for women, men and 16+ year olds, further details are available from our facebook or instagram pages or by contacting louthmavericks@gmail.com. All welcome and no experience necessary so we hope to see you there!”
