Joe Muchern, right, didn't have chance against Akarika Dawn.
The crowd may have been rooting for the USA Tomahawks to win The Donnybrook Cup, but even the captain of the Irish Wolfhounds noticed that there was some Irish support in the stands at Widener University’s Quick Stadium in Chester on Saturday, March 17.
“It’s looks pretty green,” said Brendan Guilfoyle as he surveyed the St. Patrick’s Day crowd, most of whom were decked out in Kelly green everything.
The Tomahawks took back the cup from the Irish this year by a not-even-close score of 38-20. This marks one step in a spirited sprint to the 2013 World Cup for the US team, which qualified for the first time this year. New Zealand will be defending its top spot in tournaments in England, Wales, Ireland, and France next year.
The score may not have been close, but that’s not any reflection on the lack of solid effort by the young Irish team, helmed by Ireland “A” coach Ged Corcoran.
One of the standouts of the game was Texas native Akarika Dawn, a former Colorado Buffaloes inside lineback who played with the Austin Wranglers Arena Football team after college. He took up rugby in 2007, learning the game in Australia where he also played, then signing with the Jacksonville Axemen in Florida. This high school teacher and coach, who plays centre for the Tomahawks, is massive, and he used his skill and size to mow down pretty much anyone who got in his way.
We were there and captured at least some of the action. View our photos.
The Msgr. Bonner High School rugby team from Delaware County defeated the St. Augustine Prep School Friars from Richland, NJ. View our photos from that game.
