penguin_top_banner_ad
Home / Around the League / Irish return home after dropping first two road games

Irish return home after dropping first two road games

Airdrie helmet

The Airdrie Irish finally get to play at home June 11 when it welcomes the Fort McMurray Monarchs to Ed Eggerer Athletic Park. File Photo/Rocky View Publishing

Andrew Halipchuk – Airdrie City View – Thursday, June 9, 2016

For the second time in as many weeks, the Airdrie Irish was back on the road June 4 and failed to bring home a victory against the Alberta Football League (AFL)’s newest team, the Edmonton Raiders. The Irish fell 30-17.

“(With it) being a new team, it was a game I knew we should have won,” team president Matt Squires said. “We left some points on the table that we should have got.

“It’s definitely a big upset for a lot of guys. We were very frustrated, but we’re keeping our spirits high and really look forward to our next game.”

The Irish took on the Raiders in a hot and sunny near-30 C afternoon June 4.

With the weather taking its toll, mistakes proved costly in the later stages of the game, which ended up leading to the 30-17 loss.

“There were a few mental breakdowns,” Squires said. “It was really hot so some of the exhaustion started showing near the end.”

With the game tied at 17 midway through the third quarter, it appeared the game was going to come down to the wire. But another offensive touchdown and a missed special teams snap resulting in a touchdown put the Raiders on top.

“Our defence came with a strong game. A lot of the key players started to step up,” Squires said. “The guys learned a lot from what happened and are already prepping for (our next game).”

With the loss, the Irish drop to 0-2 on the season and sit alongside the Calgary Wolfpack as the only teams with that record in the AFL.

The Irish now return home for four straight home games. Airdrie’s first home game goes June 11 when it welcomes the Fort McMurray Monarchs to Ed Eggerer Athletic Park.

Going up against last season’s runner-ups isn’t an ideal way to start a home stand, but Squires said he believes the team is focused and prepared for the high-octane offence of the Monarchs.

Tickets are $5 at the gate. For the first home game, any parent with a child wearing an Airdrie Flag Football jersey will get a two-for-one ticket for $5. Kickoff goes at 5 p.m.