The Rhinos opened the scoring in the first half but missed the extra point to leave the score at 6-0. Later in the half a fumbled snap forced the Admirals QB to make a heads up play by kicking the ball out the back of the endzone before the closing Rhinos players pounced on it. The safety gave the Rhinos an 8-0 lead going into the half.

Like the rest of the game, a defensive affair ensued in the second half with both teams playing good football on defense. The Admirals broke through the Rhinos defense with less than 10 seconds left in the 4th quarter to bring the score within a 2 point conversion of a tie. With overtime looming the Rhinos defense busted through the Admirals line and forced an errant throw from the Cork QB which led to Cork being forced to try an onside kick. The kick rebounded off a Rhino only to land in the hands of another, the Rhinos took a knee to close out the game – their first playoff victory in Rhino history.

Now we’re drunk on a bus!

Full report to follow, as well as the usual pictures and game tape will follow.

The Rhinos will travel to take on the Cork Admirals on Sunday the 18th of July which is set to be a cracking game of football as the Rhinos plan to make their mark on the playoffs.

Full game report to follow.

–

More great pictures in our media section.

–

For now, please visit the media section for some great pictures (despite the weather) of yesterdays game.

With only one loss this season the Rhinos are full of confidence and will bring their A game yet again when they face cross town college rivals Trinity.

Only 2 weeks previous the Rhinos overcame the Trinity students in a thrilling 24-20 victory and will look for the same result when they host Trinity at their home grounds in Castleknock.

Kick off is at 2pm and it is set to be a great day of football both for the teams involved and the spectators. Feel free to bring family and friends as the Rhinos create a friendly atmosphere on their sideline each and every week.

–

To prepare yourself for Sunday why not view our photos from the last game in our media section.

It is still in progress with media for every player to follow, if players have a preference for their roster photo get in touch with me otherwise I get to pick!!

–

The Rhino’s knew going into the game a win against Trinity would give them hopes of reaching the play-offs for their first time. And win is exactly what they did. However, a poor start to the game led to Trinity taking advantage through their passing game. A number of big gains through the air and some costly missed tackles from the Rhinos defense ultimately led to Trinity taking an 8-0 lead.  Quarterback Stephen Macken and his offence attempted to even things up but they were shut down by Trinity and forced to punt the ball. Things looked bad for the Rhinos when the Trinity students punched in a second touchdown in the second quarter to give them a 14-0 lead.

A revival came immediately though when the Rhinos successfully stopped the two point conversion. Macken got into his usual form and connected with all of his receivers including two catches from stand in tight end Stevie Moon helping to move the ball down the field. However, Macken’s biggest pass came when he found Sean Power on a deep pass near the Trinity sideline. Power put his finishing touch to the play when he ran it in for a touchdown. The Rhino’s star quarterback then plunged the ball into the endzone himself  on the point after try to give his side the extra two points and put them within a score of Trinity at the break.

–

At the beginning of the second half the score was 14-8 in the home sides favour but the Rhinos were not about to let go of this game yet, stepping it up a gear to open the second half and put their mark on the game. The Rhinos offence showed pure grit and determination when they started to run the ball successfully on their opponents. Running back Dan Breslin gained hard earned yards on consecutive carries before he eventually took the ball into the endzone to bring his side level. On the resulting two point conversion Sean Power gave a second and third effort to stretch the ball over the goalline to put the Rhino’s ahead for the first time in the game.

–

On the ensuing drive, Trinity had the ball near the halfway line when a lateral from the Trinity running back to his quarterback led to Gary Cullen punching the ball loose where it was smothered by Rhinos defensive end Barry Bolton. This gave the Rhinos excellent field position and they stuck with what worked by giving Breslin the ball. And he duly obliged when he ran in his second touchdown of the day with Power again adding the two extra points. This gave the Rhinos the lead at 24-14 after putting up 24 unanswered points.

But the Trinity students didn’t lie down and they brought themselves back to within a score of the Rhinos in the fourth quarter when their quarterback found their tight end open in the middle of the field, the Rhinos once again stopped the 2 point attempt which left the score at 24-20. The Rhinos should have extended their lead when Breslin ran in what seemed to be his third touchdown of the day from 40 yards out. However, a dubious illegal block call not flagged by the closest official against Barry Bolton (be the judge yourself, see below) brought the ball back  and gave Trinity a breath of relief.

–

Though a late defensive stand held out Trinity and the Rhinos rode out of the Trinity Sports Grounds with a 24-20 win over their hosts. The return fixture is now set to be a thriller as the Rhinos host Trinity in Castleknock College on the 6th of June.

See the Media section for more photos from the game.

–

Both sides put in outstanding defensive efforts to keep the opposing teams offense out for the entire game. The Rhino’s linebackers gave DCU very little to cheer about as they put a stop to the run game and snuffed out any passes in the air. The Saints were dealt with a massive blow in the first quarter when star running back David McMahon was forced to leave the game early on picking up an injury fighting for extra yardage.

Throughout the game the Rhino’s D never looked under pressure, spectacular interceptions from John Keegan and Nick Newby slowed down the Saints offense while Barry Bolton picked one off (below) and returned it into the saints redzone, the Saints backup running back making the last ditch touchdown saving tackle.

–	–	–
–	–	–

Stephen Macken and his offence took over and methodically drove the ball deep into Saints territory only to be stopped on third down from a fine Saints defensive performance. Sean Power attempted a field goal which was blocked by the Saints who gathered the ball and picked up some yards on the return much to Power’s dismay. Only for a penalty dragging them back the Saints would have started their next drive in the Rhinos half of the impressively marked pitch.

The game remained a stalemate and the closest either side came to scoring was when the Saints discipline let them down and a number of consecutive penalties coupled with big runs from Power and another big reception from Ross Carrick gave the Rhinos from Castleknock prime field position. However, the Saints D stood strong and held out Macken and Co who got to the one yard line but couldn’t pick up that elusive final yard due to an untimely fumble.

–	–	–
–	–	–

This lead to the game ending in what resulted to be the first scoreless draw in IAFL history. While the scoreline suggests a boring game, many of the spectators were kept entertained by big play after big play (Nick Newby diving interception below) by both teams defenses.

–

The Rhinos remain firmly in second place in the IAFL Central Division with their next two games up against divisional opponent TCD who will be fighting with the Rhinos for the wildcard playoff position.

Video highlights coming soon.

The West Dublin Rhinos welcome the DCU Saints this coming bank holiday Sunday, 2pm Castleknock College. All are welcome to come along and show support for the Rhinos.

As a teaser of what to expect on Sunday, take a look at the extended highlights from the two teams last encounter which saw the Rhinos coming away with a 15-8 victory.

You can find this video, and even more highlights at the Rhinos YouTube channel. Feel free to subscribe and keep updated!

http://www.youtube.com/user/RhinosIAFL

–

The Rhino’s received the ball and immediately began to move the ball on the Saints D. Quarterback Stephen Macken linked up with his talented receivers as they drove down the field. Running back Sean Power put in some important run’s to set up a field goal attempt. It was Power himself who took the shot but his attempt missed wide of the upright.

The Saints took over possession deep in their own half and the Rhinos defence swarmed their Quarterback at every opportunity.

–

With the immense pressure from the defence the Saints failed to get near the goal line on the opening drive and were forced to punt, but after a botched snap was recovered by the Rhinos, Macken took back over possession with good field position. Ross Carrick made a big catch to pick up a first down. Power once more made yards on the ground thanks to a huge block by receiver Stevie Moon. The block shook DCU to the core and was sure to have been felt at the nearby Trinity College sports grounds where Trinity hosted the Belfast Trojans.

Once in the redzone Macken and co was not going to come away pointless and the young quarterback found Carrick for the opening touchdown of the game.

Power missed the extra point which gave the Rhino’s a six point lead over their bitter rivals.

The defence remained relentless and put massive pressure on the Saints who couldn’t manage to get any momentum going. The Rhino’s second touchdown came as a direct result of that pressure when Oisin Russell-Conway penetrated the Saints line and got his hands on the quarterback who panicked and flung the ball towards his own endzone. David O’Connor and Barry Bolton pounced on the opportunity with Bolton smothering the ball for the first touchdown of his career. Power added the extra point before the half to send the visitors in with a 13-0 lead.

Head Coach Mark Lawless emphasised the fact that the Saints would come out all guns blazing and they did just that with running back David McMahon causing problems on the ground. The Saints made it into the Rhino’s ten yard line and pulled off a reverse which saw them cross over for six points. They then went for two points where McMahon squeezed in at the corner to pull his side within one score of a victory. Déjà Vu was nearly setting in for the Rhino’s after they had led by two scores in the same fixture last year only to lose the game. However, the defence stood strong and got the ball back for the offence who kept pushing for the win.

Deep in the fourth quarter the Rhinos defense pulled off another master stroke when the Saints fumbled the ball in their endzone and were forced to dive on the ball giving up a safety. This brought the score to 15-8 in the Rhino’s favour. There was still time on the clock when the Saints recovered the ball from the ever impressive offence. Saints quarter back Scott Mifsud had no choice other than to air it out and that’s when veteran linebacker Nick Newby sealed another win for the Rhinos with a vital interception.

–

This win keeps the Rhino’s in touching distance of division leaders the Dublin Rebels and sets up a scintillating fixture in two weeks time when the Rhino’s host the Saints in Castleknock College.

A victorious Rhinos team following their 15-8 win over DCU.

–