Ireland: UCD overcome Belfast Knights, Northwest Vipers down Causeway Giants in Week 2 action

By Jimmy English

Game week two of the 2025 American Football Ireland season brought us two games to enjoy, as the Knights travelled down to UCD and the Vipers trekked across to Armoy for a bout with the Giants. The Knights pushed UCD all the way, while the Vipers pulled off a thrilling last minute win!

Read the full game recaps now to catch up on the action!

UCD 36 – Belfast Knights 20 

A beautiful day in Bellfield saw UCD hosting the Belfast Knights in a matchup which many presumed would be a walk in the park for the reigning champs. This was very much not the case. The visitors caused problems all day long, and could have even pulled off an upset if not for key players picking up injuries. UCD took an early 14 point lead with touchdowns from Tom Donovan and Brandon Atwell, but some big catches by Marty Caskey kept the Knights in it and even drew the praise of Steelers Tight End Pat Freiermuth who was on hand for the coin toss before kickoff. Caskey and Quarterback Liam Moores were forced off with injuries in the first half, leaving the offense to struggle and plenty of points on the field.

After UCD went up 20-0 with another Atwell score, Belfast battled back and claimed a TD of their own on a brave fourth down pass attempt from Zac McDowell that was hauled in for 6 by Daitihi McShane. We were then treated to an exciting sequence where both sides traded scores, before UCD ultimately pulled away. Arun Mooney got things moving for the U again on a swing pass to Donovan, who literally dragged a Belfast defender over the goal line. The Knights parried with a solid drive, topped off with a deep McDowell pass to Isaac Searle setting the offense up on the UCD one yard line. A few plays later the young slinger found McShane again to make the score 28-13. UCD weren’t fazed in the slightest, casually inserting backup QB Tadg O’Connor who wasted no time in marching down the field before finding Number 87 Pat Duffy in the endzone for what would be the knockout blow.  McDowell and McShane hit the hattrick late in the fourth quarter to earn a consolation touchdown, with the final scoreline of 36-20 perhaps not truly reflective of what occurred on the field. The Knights brought it to UCD all day long, demonstrating that the boys in blue are far from infallible.

Causeway Giants 8 – Northwest Vipers 12 

A tense, back and forth affair for the Division One season opener pitted two potential title contenders as the Vipers made the trip across to Armoy to square off against the Causeway Giants. The hosts’ hopes of retaining the plate took an early tumble as they ultimately came out on the wrong end of the scoreline. Despite taking an early 8-0 lead on a Jig McCoy pass to Tony McCloskey and 2 pointer from Nathan Chapman, they wouldn’t see the endzone again. Instead it was the Vipers who seized victory with a Lews Leckey 40 yard touchdown reception and a CJ Grobler 6 yard outside run.

After a relatively quiet 47 odd minutes or so, and with the clock winding down into the final 30 seconds, a personal foul gave the Vipers a 1st in the Giants red zone, which they capitalised on to seal the win.

The Giants can take pride in denying both 2 point attempts, especially the bruising stop by Ronan McCloskey,  and both sides are sure to take lots of lessons from this game and they get into the season proper.

Reposted by permission. Source: Gaelic Gridiron