Dublin Rebels

Dublin Rebels
Founded	1995
League	Irish American Football League
Stadium	Sportslink
Based in	Dublin, Ireland
Team colors	Black and Red
Head coach	Andy Dennehy
Website	http://dublinrebels.com/

The Dublin Rebels are the most successful team in Irish American Football League^[1] history with seven National Championships (Shamrock Bowl XV, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXIV, XXV), four league titles, two European crowns and registering the perfect season with no defeats in 2006 and again in 2010.

They are members of the IAFL Central division, and have been champions of the division since it was brought into the league. The Rebels are based in Santry, Dublin, but they practice at Booterstown.

They are the current Irish champions, having beaten the University of Limerick Vikings in Shamrock Bowl XXV 14–13.

History

The Rebels were founded by Marcus Naylor and Andrew Flynn in 1995. They eventually joined the 1995-1996 Irish Flag Football League season. With lack of experience, the Rebels had an average season. The highlight of that season was the tie between the Devastators, which cost the Devastators a spot in the playoffs. The Rebels were voted for the 'Best Newcomer Team' award. The following year the Rebels entered a summer tournament and finished 3rd. That year seen the Rebels quarterback unable to play, pulled out to oversee the team as manager. In the Flag Football League the Rebels gained plenty of experience and secured their first playoff spot in the team history. They managed to reach the Final against the Pirates, but lost by a touchdown. Marcus Naylor picked up league MVP that year also.

In 1998-99 the Rebels played their first full contact season in the league. The team was managed by Al Kelly. They finished mid table but once again continued to be a threat to other teams. There was no league in 2000 due to lack of oraganisiation in the magagement. 2001 saw the league reborn again as, the IAFL. There were 4 teams in the league out of a possible 6. The Rebels started off great, eventually getting to the Shamrock Bowl beating the Carrickfergus Knights 28-7. In 2002 the Rebels won only one game in the season, beating the Dublin Dragons in the last game of the year. The Rebels played in the Charleroi Cup, beating the hosts 22-00 in the final.

Hoping to rebuild from a disappointing 2002, the Rebels lost a close season opener to the Knights. But continued a 9 game win streak, and once again reaching the Shamrock Bowl against the Knights once again, beating them 24-12.

In the 2004 Season, the Rebels continued their tradition of introducing a number of rookies once again. The season saw the Rebels score 300 points and finish with a season record of 9-1 (inc playoff and final). They won the league title for the 1st time. They retained the Shamrock bowl by defeating their rivals the Knights 24-22 in the final. After trailing to them by 18pts at half time, they produced a comeback to deny them victory. The Rebels also broke the scoring record for a single game. Scoring 88 points against the Admirals.

The 2005 season saw the Belfast Bulls trying to become the first unbeaten team in the league. The Rebels prevented this from happening beating them in the final game of the season. They met each other again in Shamrock Bowl XIX. The Rebels pulled off another emotional last minute comeback against the Bulls to win. Quarterback Andy Dennehy was named as the game MVP.

In 2006, the Rebels did what the Bulls had failed to do. They became the first unbeaten team in the IAFL going 10-0, winning all regular season games and winning the playoffs and the Shamrock Bowl 44-12 against the UL Vikings. Linebacker Ross McCooey was named as the game MVP.

2007 was a disappointing year. With high expectations the Rebels failed to reach the Shamrock Bowl. They were beaten by the Cork Admirals in the Semi Final 8-6.

The next year, the Rebels finished the 2008 season 7-1. The Rebels once again returned to the Shamrock Bowl to face the defending champions, the UL Vikings, but the Rebels lost 14-12.

Undergoing a period of transition from the old guard to a younger core of talent, the Rebels progressed sufficiently to reach Shamrock Bowl XXIII where they lost to the University of Limerick Vikings in sudden death overtime 9-6.

Another year of experience for the new generation of Rebels provided a keen edge to the team, an edge which propelled the team to a perfect 8-0 regular season record. With both their offence and defence statistically being the best in the league throughout the season the tempo was upped again in the semi-final versus the West Dublin Rhinos. The Rebels rolled to a comfortable 65-0 victory, racking up ten touchdowns on the way. This victory set up a meeting in Shamrock Bowl XXIV with the rival Vikings.

With the Vikings attempting to equal the Rebels record of four championships in a row, there was an added urgency about the challengers. On the day it was the Rebels who shone through at Tallaght stadium as they went on to win 15-0 with Defensive Back Brian Carter being named as the games MVP.

The 2010 Rebels finished the season giving up only 4.4 points per game, while amassing 41.9 points per game: both of which are team records.

Championships won

• Shamrock Bowl XV
• Shamrock Bowl XVII
• Shamrock Bowl XVIII
• Shamrock Bowl XIX
• Shamrock Bowl XX
• Shamrock Bowl XXIV
• Charleroi Cup 2002-2003

References

1. ^ "European Cup group announced for Irish American football team". The Sunday Business Post. 2007-02-04. http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2007/02/04/story20685.asp. Retrieved 2008-04-10.