In decades past, soccer was seen as a 'way out’ for kids who might otherwise be led down a difficult path in life. But American Football can be just as much a tonic in this regard, according to Southill teenager Adam Dunne.
The 18-year-old defensive tackle for the current All-Ireland champions, the UL Vikings, believed his life might have been very different had it not been for his discovery of a passion for the pigskin when he joined the club in 2008.
“I felt I could be heading down the wrong path,” said Dunne, many of whose friends were drinking and taking drugs from the age of 12. “All the lads I know, they went on to do Es or coke. So I just said, ‘lads, go away, I’m not’. I just stopped it then.” Turning to American Football helped Dunne complete that life choice, and reaped its rewards on the field with his side’s victory at the ‘Shamrock Bowl’ in Belfast. It was the Vikings’ third consecutive victory, but it couldn’t have been achieved in more dramatic circumstances.
After a close, physical game against the Dublin Rebels, the score was tied at 6-6, meaning that the Shamrock Bowl would go into  overtime for the first time in its history. It was then that UL kicker Daniel Smith breathlessly converted a 30-yard field goal to win the game. “The whole game I had goosebumps because it was my first year, so to win it, you know, it was great. It was great,” Dunne said.
Dunne also helped the UL Vikings win the first ever College Bowl, which was organised by the Irish American Football League (IAFL), in November. It was an inter-varsity tournament among four college teams.
Dunne’s next match with the Vikings takes place in Belfield on March 14 against the UCD Sentinels. The regular season for the IAFL begins in March and wraps up in August.

Author: Hannah O'Brien

UL Vikings would like to thank journalist Hannah O'Brien and the Southill Voice Newspaper for allowing us to publish this article on ulvikings.ie.