The Donegal-Derry Vipers bagged another fine win at the weekend, defeating the Louth Mavericks on Sunday for their third victory of the campaign.
Donegal-Derry Vipers 16 Louth Mavericks 14
Match report by Derm Brown; Pictures by Dean CullenÂ
Favourable conditions greeted the Players at Dundalk RFC on Sunday afternoon.
Both the Vipers and Mavericks headed into the game with identical playing records of two games won and one game lost, this would add fuel to a fire already burning in both teams, the Mavericks, veterans of the IAFL1 these last five years, and the Vipers looking to make a statement of intent on this very competitive and hard hitting league.
The game began with the Vipers receiving the ball and taking it quickly down the field with passes over the middle from Quarterback Danny Mullan, he was able to move the ball for the Vipers first score of the game easily using the 6 foot five frame of Tight End Ruairi Bradley, the extra point was added by Gary Melly.
The Vipers defence took over next and struggling early on to compete with the well versed Louth offensive line.
The Louth offense was punished quickly for a handling error gifting the ball to the vipers on the Louth ten yard line.
Viper Running Back Dermot Brown was able to make a few tough yards up the middle but the maverick defence stood strong and kept his onslaught out, the deadlock was broken two plays later when Mullan got over the line on a Quarterback sneak however.
The score was now 13-0 to the men in Red and Gold after the extra point went wide.
The Viper offense was cruising early on, as was the defence, who added two more turnovers in the second quarter forcing the Louth Quarterback to get rid of the ball earlier than he wanted to, their Running Backs were punished time and time again on the outside by the Vipers’ speedy safety Isaac Sullivan and Defensive end Corey McKenna.
[adrotate group=”91″]Louth pushed hard towards the half and managed to put a few good drives together testing the Vipers resolve but they stood firm once more and managed to make it into the half with the score still at 13-0.
The game plan switched for both teams in the third quarter, the Vipers switching to a more run heavy plan and the Mavericks in the passing game.
Both teams cancelled each other out time and time again in what was becoming a battle in the trenches. This was by far the most testing game for the newly promoted Viper team against a stout defensive force, who picked off three passes from Mullan on the day.
The Viper defence made some key interceptions on the ball also, Kyle McAnaney more noticeably after a controversial call from the ref that resulted in a first down, the men in red and gold could not help but have a bit of karma go their way for once having dealt with some sketchy calls from the officials this season.
The next score came in the fourth quarter after the Louth men drove the ball down the field and hit their Tight End on the outside to bring the score to 13-7.
[adrotate group=”46″]The Vipers answered quickly when Kicker Gary Melly made a 40-yard field goal to stretch the game to 16-7 at a critical time in the game.
There was more drama to follow as the Viper offense took the pitch with under two minutes to go, the ball was turned over one first down which gifted the Mavericks in good position that resulted in a score and brought them to within 2 points of the scoreline.
A Louth onside kick added to the Vipers dismay that they might have thrown the game away but once again it was the Defence that pulled the guys out for the win.
Corey McKenna and Peter Farrell teamed up on a quarterback hit that could be heard all around the pitch to end the Louth men’s final drive and solidify the win for the Viper players.
A hard-fought battle for the Vipers but they will only have a week to prepare for a return trip to South Kildare this Sunday, the league now have their heads turned at the new kids on the block and the Vipers will be looking to plant the flag firmly and say to those that doubted them, come and get some.
Kick-off against the South Kildare Soldiers is at 2pm at Kildare RFC Sunday 28th May.
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