Irish win first 2016 game thanks to big second half

By Eric
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Updated: June 22, 2016

Airdrie Irish receiver James Balsdon and quarterback Jordan Groves celebrated a fourth-quarter touchdown during the Irish’s first win of the 2016 season when it knocked off the visiting Calgary Wolfpack 34-20 at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park June 19.
Andrew Halipchuk/Rocky View Publishing

Andrew Halipchuk – Airdrie City View – Wednesday, June 22, 2016

The Airdrie Irish put an end to its three-game losing streak June 19 when it defeated the visiting Calgary Wolfpack 34-20 at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park.

The Irish produced a 27-point second half for the huge comeback. The team’s offence looked like it could move the ball for positive yardage and its defence was stingy allowing just seven points in the third and fourth quarters combined.

“These guys get to celebrate now because they have been working hard,” said head coach Sean Stewart. “The first three games didn’t go our way, but now they have something to be happy about.”

With the win, the Irish improve its record to 1-3 and currently sit tied for sixth in the Alberta Football League standings with the St. Albert Stars (1-2).

With the team now at the midway point of the season, the Irish may have found its groove, with its offence putting up its best effort of the season and the team’s defence looking like a major shutdown force for any opposition.

It didn’t take long for the Irish to open the scoring in its second home game of the season when starting quarterback Morgan Hides connected with Steve Larson for a touchdown on the opening possession.

“Obviously you could see the confidence level on the bench take a huge jump up because the guys knew they were clicking all of a sudden,” Stewart said. “When we start putting some good drives together, it helps brings the guys together.”

Following the score, the Irish offence sputtered and the defence dealt with penalty issues as the Wolfpack scored a pair of unanswered touchdowns, but missed on both convert attempts to take a 12-7 lead heading into halftime.

“When the guys are down and things aren’t going their way, mentally they try to do too much, more than what they’re asked to do,” Stewart said. “That’s when penalties start to happen.”

After throwing a trio of interceptions, one for a touchdown, Hides was replaced in the second half by Jordan Groves. The move proved to be a major turning point for the Irish.

“(Hides) was having some issues with some of the reads, so we thought we would try something different and (Groves) came in, he stepped up and did well,” Stewart said. “Each day we want him to step up a little bit further and continue to improve.”

Groves helped march the Irish down in its first possession of the second half. The drive was capped off by a touchdown rush from running back Matthew Huntley, which regained the lead for the Irish. On its next drive the Irish tacked on a field goal for a 17-12 lead after three quarters.

The Irish defence continued to dominate for the remainder of the game and Groves became more comfortable behind centre, connecting for his first touchdown pass of the game with James Balsdon. Huntley would add another touchdown and the Irish earned a pair of single points en route to the 34-20 victory.

The Irish now turn its attention to week five of the AFL season when it plays host to the Stars June 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park.