THIS TIME LAST year the Donegal-Derry Vipers American Football team were preparing for their first season in existence.
Club Secretary Frieda Gallagher was and is one of those involved at the fledgling club and with their first season under their belts, now it’s all systems go for season two.
Frieda (pictured above with the club’s co-founder Cathal Curran) spoke to Donegal Sport Hub on a number of topics on the Vipers – how last season went and the challenges facing into 2016.
Q – How did your first season go? – Tougher than expected/ As tough as you expected?
A – I’d say 100 times tougher than we ever imagined, if I am honest. The Vipers entered the arena on April 19 last, having only been formed five months previously. The teams that we would face, both home and away would be The Belfast Trojans 2nds, The South Kildare Soldiers and The Galway Warriors.
Our first season was a painful one and a very steep learning curve for all, but we’d now change it for the world.
I thought naively we thought we were ready to play. Our first game was against the Belfast Trojans, the best team in the league, in what can only be described as a Baptism of Fire.
We were destroyed 72-0 and we lost two players to serious leg injuries during and the game. They ended up out for the season and by the time the final whistle came, a lot of people didn’t think we wouldn’t come back.
Looking back, I can honestly say it was probably the best thing that could have happened us. We were more determined to prove everybody wrong. And it also proved to us how our team had jelled. These fellas (and girl) had only known each other a few months but the comradery between us all was unbelievable. We hit training harder than ever for the return game.
The Trojans would go unbeaten all year. In the return game we managed to score 20 points against them, including two touchdowns – the very first of which, we celebrated so feverently, we were given a warning, but after all the work we couldn’t help it. We also led the game during the third quarter, which was pretty unheard of. It would remain the most points scored against the champions that season.
We went on to complete our fixture list and on the last game of the season. We even did something unthinkable, we won our first game against The Galway Warriors.
Q – What were the biggest things you learned as a group and as a club?
A -As a club, we have learned its an extremely expensive sport to play – the kit, the uniforms , the training equipment. You definitely need a sponsor to help. We limped through our first year.
We hope to be better prepared this year and are actively looking for a sponsor. Also the organisation/ the committee has a lot of work to do for each match. We need to book and pay for ambulances, pay the referees and officials (not the bribery kind either! As you can see by our score sheet) erect respect barriers around the pitch and also have it lined in accordance to IAFA regulations. All this all has to be done prior to game day.
Then we need people on the day to help with the chains for scores etc. The YM Rugby Club in Drumahoe, Co Derry, and William Lamrock in particular have been a godsend to the club and given us a lot of help in hosting the games. They draw a big crowd and we are very new to all of it, so we really appreciated it. As we are a cross border club, we are seeking a pitch in Donegal also to accommodate all the players.
Check out the Vipers promotional video for 2016 …
https://wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=wnbkgEZjMuY&feature=youtu.be
Q – What was the reception like from other teams?
A – We have nothing but respect for the teams in our league. They were very welcoming. There is an understanding among the clubs , that they will fight tooth and nail with you on the field but they shake your hand afterwards. And that’s what they did.
They gave us tips and the Trojans especially after our first defeat to them told us to keep our heads up and when we came back and put points on the board. They were extremely positive with us and gave us a great confidence boost.
Our team actually wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the kindness of Kim and Ross Neville from the now defunct Drogheda Lightening team. When their club folded they donated there old equipment and wrote us a cheque to help get started.
It was incredibly helpful at the time, as we were struggling to get set up and didn’t think we would be able to field.
Their advice also has been invaluable. They have formed a new team called The North Dublin Pirates and they will be in our league this year, so we relish the opportunity to play against them.
Q – Best moment of the season?
A – For the team as a whole, our first win in the last game of the season against the Galway Warriors.
After a four-hour trip from our home pitch at the YMCA rugby pitches, we knew it was our last chance to show how much we had developed and how much we wanted this win – in spite of our relative inexperience and in spite of injuries to key players.
The Vipers dominated from kick-off to the final whistle, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal. On the other side of the ball, the Vipers defence shut out the warriors in three of the four quarters – only allowing six points to coneded.
It had actually happened. All the hard work, sweat, bloods, tears and pain we had gone through we finally had that ‘W’.
For me, personally, having attended all the trainings in the pouring rain, chased and scolded them all for registration fees, searched high and low for helmets and pads, freeze-sprayed more bruised body parts than I care to think about, the first Viper touchdown against the Trojans.
The disbelief, the hysteria, the almost running onto the pitch to celebrate, the warning from the referee for doing so – that’s one that will stay with me for a very long time! I was a very proud Viper.
Q – Has it proved there is an appetite for American football in the north-west?
A – Absolutely. We already have the hugely successful Tyrone Titans, now the Donegal-Derry Vipers are making a name for themselves.
All through the season, we had fellas show up to our training sessions. They had heard about us on social media and the radio. They’d always been fans but never had an outlet. Now they do. We have already got a strong interest in our 2016 try-outs, which will be held in Letterkenny in early January.
There are three new teams on our division alone, the PSNI Razorbacks, North Dublin Pirates and the Wexford Eagles. American Football is here to stay!!
Q – Are the Vipers in a stronger position now?
A – We are definitely a lot wiser. We were very naive last year. We got through on sheer brute determination that our founder Cathal Curran’s idea was not just that – an idea.
We were going to field and we were going to win a game, but that can;t go on forever. You need the right people behind you and I think with our committee now, we are very aware of that.
It takes planning , preparation and money, and we are working very hard behind the scenes, trying to secure sponsorship, fundraise, and so on, but there would be no point in all that work if we didn’t have faith in our team and backroom staff and for a team that’s only together a year I have little doubt that there one of the strongest, hardworking teams out there.
We’re from all walks of life; from both sides of the border. The YMCA have been very good to us and we look forward to playing in Drumahoe in 2016, but we also need a training/playing pitch in Donegal and are still searching.
Q – How do I get involved?
A – January will see all the planning and meetings move into full throttle for the rookie try-outs.
These try-outs are open to anybody over the age of 18; of all fitness levels and all sports backgrounds – even no sports backgrounds. About 70 to 80 per cent of our team last year had never played the game. They just watched American Football on television – and a few others had never even seen the sport but wanted to try something new.
The try-outs will be held in Letterkenny early January. There will be more info to follow, so keep an eye on our Facebook and twitter pages. And if you don’t want to play, but want to help , we want to hear from you also. There is a lot of work in running this team and we want anybody willing to lend a hand.
Q – What are you hopes for new season?
A – We want to build on the development and success of last year, primarily we need to secure solid funding/sponsorship for the coming season, develop our coaching staff and generate some exposure of the club between the two counties and the two cultures.
This isn’t a fad. We here to stay and we wan to build a solid club around these ideologies.
Q – Sell it to me!!
A – American Football is the fastest growing sport in the world. It’s something different and there are a great bunch of lads at the Vipers ready to greet new players and help them through the try-outs.
Details below:
Find us on Facebook : wwwfacebook.com/donegalderryvipers
Webite: wwwddvipers.com
Twitter : @DonegalDerryVip
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