Minotaurs make history

On a scorching Sunday, the Westmeath Minotaurs made club history by winning their first ever playoff game and securing a trip to the Irish American Football League’s Championship Game.

All the hard training paid off in spades as the Minotaurs, in front of hometown fans, gained early momentum against a very dangerous Wexford team.

Wexford’s offence fumbled the ball on their first offensive drive giving the Minotaurs the chance to gain the upper hand. Having struggled offensively the previous two games, quarterback Joe Kinahan (Killucan) struck early on a long pass to wide receiver Cormac Fagan (Oldcastle) setting up the first touchdown. In what would be the pattern of the game, the resilient Wexford responded immediately with a touchdown drive.

Each team struggled to pull away from the other and the sides would go into halftime tied 14-14.

Head Coach Conor Brennan (Mullingar) came out of halftime calling on the offensive line to lead a power running game to better control the tempo of the game and pound the Wexford defence. Responding to the adjustment, the offensive line lead by center Colin Regan and left tackle JO Coyne (Mullingar) ripped giant holes out of the Wexford formation as running back Rafael Monteiro (Mullingar) gained big yardage and critical first downs that helped keep the ball out of the Wexford offence’s hands.

Unwilling to concede, the Eagles got air under their wings and brought the contest to an uncomfortable five point difference of 27-22.

The saying goes ‘Defence wins Championships’ and with just over three minutes to go, the Eagles began their final offensive drive for the win. Everything hung in the balance. On fourth down, knowing Wexford had to pass and score quickly, Darren Sammon (Athlone) rushed with unbridled fury and sacked the Eagle quarterback, effectively ending any chance of an Eagle win. The Minotaurs now focus on the Championship game versus the Craigavon Cowboys on 28 July at the Navan RFC.