Clonmel Warriors

Warriors 51 – Titans 13

The Clonmel Warriors 2009 campaign of non-contact American Football began with a friendly matchup versus the newly-established Tralee Titans. Despite three players playing in their first or second games and missing long-time starter Luke Lonergan to an injury, the Warriors were able to pull out a resounding 51-13 victory.

The first quarter of football exploded wide open when Tralee broke off a long run for a touchdown, shell shocking the Warriors defence. The one point conversion failed putting the score at 6-0. The Warriors offence went into action, using a mix of runs and passes the drive culminated in a Dean O’Regan pass to Wide Receiver Kevin Cunningham for the touchdown. Cunningham grabbed the one point conversion for the Warriors to lead it 7-6. The Warriors would open a floodgate of scoring for the next three quarters. On the ensuing Titans drive, Safety Gary Crowe picked off a pass for the interception. O’ Regan pounced on the opportunity handed to him and flipped a touchdown pass to centre Declan O’Halloran. O’Halloran was playing in just his first game in place of injured Lonergan. The conversion was no good putting the Warriors up 13-7.

Tralee, hampered by inexperience turned over the ball on downs into Clonmel’s hands. Running Back Christopher Noonan in his second game broke off a run that ended in a Warrior score. O’Regan found Crowe in the right corner of the endzone for an admirable one-point conversion. The game broke for half, the Warriors leading with a comfortable lead of 20-6. The Warriors exploded at the beginning of the second half - O’Regan facing heavy pressure from the Titan defence dumped the ball off into the waiting hands of Chris Noonan who raced his way through the field and into the endzone for the score. Tralee continued to turn the ball over - Crowe being the nuisance for the Titans offence picking off his second pass of the day. O’Regan, cool and calm in the pocket fired his fourth touchdown to receiver Kevin Cunningham to increase the scoreboard to 32-6. The extra point was no good. Gary Crowe continued to terrorize the Tralee offense, intercepting his third pass of the day which he took back to the house for a score. Warriors are up 38-6.

At the beginning of the 4th Quarter, the Titans moved well on their next possession - advancing deep into Warriors territory but were unable to convert their good gains into a result turning the ball over to the Warriors. Clonmel worked their way up the field, taking advantage of the Titans inexperience. Cunningham, playing in relief of O’Regan found said player in the open field and scampered into the endzone for his first receiving touchdown of the year. The Titans offense got into gear late in the game, scoring a touchdown versus the Warrior offense. The Warriors continued to pile on the pressure. Methodically O’Regan stormed up the field, clinically calm under ever-present blitzes from the Tralee defence. The Quarterback passed for his fifth touchdown of the day to Cunningham, himself grabbing three scores. Kiefer Lonergan, playing in his first ever game made a great catch of the ball to round out the scoring at 51-13.

The Warriors entered the game with the same plan that garnered them success last season: A high scoring and well balanced offense coupled with a strong and well rounded defence. The Tralee Titans were playing in their first ever game vs. The Warriors and had a tough game on their hands. They’re advancing to the IAFL league and the Warriors wish them nothing but the best. A repeat game will be played in the coming months in Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Gary Crowe was awarded Most Valuable Player for his outstanding efforts on the football field. Three huge interceptions - one for a touchdown, coupled with long clutch catches and a one point conversion made him the autonomous selection for the award.

by Luke Lonergan