We don’t often quote the doors around here but this IS the end. Tullamore Phoenix play their last game of the 2012 IAFL season this Sunday when they host perennial Shamrock Bowl attendees, the University of Limerick Vikings.
They may have come out on the wrong end of a 20-0 defeat to the Dublin Rebels last Sunday, but the performance of an injury stricken Tullamore Phoenix side was enough to give everyone involved with the club great hope for the 2013 season.
Of course, with great hope comes great expectation (or something like that – Ed) and Tullamore’s coaches will be looking for a similar work rate and performance against a very strong Vikings outfit in Tullamore Rugby Club at 2pm this Sunday, June 3.
UL, on the basis of conceding less points than the Belfast Trojans, have been the best team in the IAFL this year and impressed many observers with their ability to control all three aspects of the game; offence, defence and special teams.
However, this is by no means a dead rubber for the Vikings as they have still to secure the number one seeding for the playoffs and there will be players hoping to catch the eye of Limerick’s coaches for a starting spot in the offseason.
Last week, there were many people predicting that the Rebels would arrive in Tullamore and possibly leave with a record points total. That didn’t happen and, if it wasn’t for a couple of untimely turnovers on offence, the game could have been a lot tighter than the final score reflected.
There will be few observers giving Tullamore a chance in this one too but this Phoenix outfit have a habit of standing tallest when their backs are to the wall and let’s not forget, on any given Sunday, you never know what can happen.
Tullamore Phoenix American Football 