Troy's Fighting Irish Semi-Pro Football Team: Fighting Irish News
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Two members of the Troy’s Fighting Irish Semi-Pro football team are Beef bound for the 2010 season! Defensive end #17 James Rigney and Kicker #19 Sean Conde both signed professional contracts this past week to become members of the Omaha Beef, of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Beef also just recently signed former Penn State and Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Tyrell Sales to a one year contract. Training camp for the Beef will begin in the beginning of February and the season will kickoff in March. The season will end in July and each player will only miss a few games before rejoining the Irish for 2010.
James Rigney, at 6’2” 240lbs, in his rookie season with the Fighting Irish made an immediate impact as he set the single season sacks record for the team and lead the league in sacks with 10.5. James also recorded 42 tackles, forced 3 fumbles, and recovered 1 fumble on the season while being voted a 1st team all-league defensive end and a defensive line Honorable Mention to the Semi-Pro BCS All-American team.
Sean Conde, at 5’11” 225lbs, has handled all the kicking duties for all three years of the Fighting Irish and also played Tight end, over that time he converted on six for eight from 40+ yards. Know for his kicking power Sean has been a cornerstone of the Special Teams for the Fighting Irish over the past three seasons. From hitting a 56 yard game winning field goal in 2007 vs. Southern Tier Diesel to put the Fighting Irish in their 1st playoffs ever. To having an 83 yard punt this season vs. the Albany Metro Mallers late in the game to give the Defense good field position in order to hold Albany and give the Irish another chance to win. Sean was also voted as a Honorable Mention Punter to the Semi-Pro BCS All-American team
But for these two players this provides an opportunity for each of them to test their football skills against some of the best in the country. Neither player played college football and used Troy’s Fighting Irish as a stepping stone to help get to the next level. The Fighting Irish have partnered with Curtis Dickey of Sports Management World Wide (SMWW) in becoming the official agent of the team in hopes of providing more opportunities like this to future players. We wish each player the best of luck in Omaha and look forward to their return for the 2010 season.
Troy's Fighting Irish To Go Pink
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Semi-Pro football has been back in Troy for three years now, and Troy’s Fighting Irish is on their way to a third straight Northeastern Football Alliance playoff appearance. However, the young franchise will be doing something new come September 19th vs. the Syracuse Shock at Catholic Central High School in Troy at 7:00 p.m.
The Fighting Irish will not be wearing their typical Navy Blue jerseys at home, but instead they will be wearing white jerseys with pink numbers. Yes, the tough Semi-Pro Football players that show no pain will be wearing pink on their final home game in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
After the game the club will be auctioning off the team’s jerseys to players, family, and fans and donating all the proceeds, along with the admission money to the game, to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help find the cure to Breast Cancer.
The Fighting Irish are 6-4 on the season, and will be matched up with a very tough Syracuse Shock team, but all the players know the fight on the field is not even comparable to the fight that patients with Breast Cancer face. The Irish are asking all fans to come out in support of this great cause, and catch Semi-Pro football at its best!
The Fighting Irish would also like to Thank Send Word Now Communications and the Troy Fire Department for making this game possible.
Syracuse Shock (6-3) @ Troy’s Fighting Irish (6-4)
Catholic Central High School
Kickoff is at 7:00PM.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults $5
Kids Under 6 are $2
With Military ID $2
Kids that wear their Pop Warner jerseys are FREE
The Fighting Irish Started Slow and Couldn't Climb Back
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Sting Edge Irish In A Shootout
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Irish Fight Off Gladiators For Victory
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Late Field Goal Helps Tigers Scratch by Irish
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The Fighting Irish 4-2 (2-2) were away playing the #10 ranked team in the Northeast Lyndonville Tigers 5-1 (5-0) on Saturday night in Middleport, NY. With the Fighting Irish traveling five hours to the host Tigers, if the drive wasn’t bad enough the weather at pre-game took a turn for the worse as well. With hard rain falling all game the Irish was looking at another tough matchup. It proved to be a battle of the Defenses right from the start. The Tigers have the stingiest Defense in the league at this point in the season allowing only 19 points in 4 games, as the Fighting Irish are a close second only allowing 21 in their 3 league games.
The Fighting Irish Offense came out quickly moving the ball on their first possession as WR Jahmel Tarver was under center and picked up 12 yards on 4 carries. Quickly the Fighting Irish brought in starter J.P. Howard who struggled to find his rhythm in the bad weather. The Irish then turned to the ground game as they tried to grind it out, but only picking up 72 yards on the ground all game.
The Fighting Irish Defense knew they had to step it up to try and win this game. Led by LB Joshiah Quinn once again with 11 tackles on the day, and DL James Rigney who had an outstanding pass rush that the Tigers OL could not find an answer for. It showed as Tigers QB Don Holloway was sacked 3.5 times by James Rigney alone. Holloway who had a tough time staying up straight all night was sacked 7 times on the night.
As the Fighting Irish came out again driving deep into Tigers territory to the 9 yard line, and what looked like sure points for the Irish J.P. Howard was intercepted by the Tigers in the end zone on 3rd down. The Fighting Irish did not let that put them down though after the Defense held strong the Irish Offense once again drove down the field and this time setup a perfect screen pass to RB A.J. Faraci for an 18 yard Touchdown. The Fighting Irish took a 7-0 led into Halftime.
After Halftime the Fighting Irish Defense went back to work shutting down the Tigers for most of the 3rd quarter. As the Irish forced the Tigers to punt they then muffed a punt return and the Tigers regained possession of the ball. Quickly Holloway found some time and hit WR Rickey McVay for a leaping catch to for a touchdown. As the Tigers attempted the extra point it was blocked by DL Don Hojnicki. With that score it made it a 7-6 game.
As the game went deep into the 4th quarter with each team putting nothing together on Offense the Tigers held the ball with about 4 minutes in the fourth as they hit a 45 yard field goal that barely scraped though the uprights. The Fighting Irish Offense had two more chances before the end of the game, but the Tigers Defense proved tough again. As the Fighting Irish fought penalties all day they had one more that forced them into a 4th and 25 and could not covert.
Despite the Fighting Irish holding the Tigers Offense to 144 total yards and the Fighting Irish Offense gained 172 total yards, but in the end it proved not to be enough and the Fighting Irish as they traveled home with a 7-9 loss to Lyndonville Tigers.
The Fighting Irish return home to play the Buffalo Gladiators 3-2 (3-2) next weekend 8/1 at Troy High School with Kickoff set for 5:30PM.
2009 Irish Take The Diesel Out Of Southern Tier
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The Fighting Irish 4-1 (2-1) Win over the Southern Tier Diesel 0-4 (0-4) 40-8! The Fighting Irish had control of this one as soon as the game started. After loosing a tough game at home the week before the Fighting Irish were looking for someone to take it out on. That just so happened to be the Southern Tier Diesel.
The Fighting Irish Offense has started to find their groove in this game dominating the time of possession and gaining 270 yards on the ground on 45 carries while having seven different RB's touch the ball. Led by A.J. Faraci gaining 101 yards on 12 attempts and Rookie RB Ryan Kane adding another 55 yards on 11 attempts and two TD's.
QB J.P. Howard was 6 of 9 for 146 yards and connected with three different WR’s for TD's. Gee Rowe, Brian Adams, and Tom Duclos all scoring from 20+ yards out. The Offensive line did their part as well not one sack on the game.
The Fighting Irish Defense had a good day too only allowing one late score and intercepting 3 passes by Neil Keels, Jamie Merritt, and Damien Thomas. The Defense also put up points after Larry Senior picked up a fumble and ran 76 yards for a Touchdown.
The Fighting Irish play the Lyndonville Tigers 4-1 (4-0) away on 7/25 and return home on 8/1 vs. the Buffalo Gladiators 3-1 (3-1).
2009 Irish let Mallers Slip Away After Rain Delay
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Troy’s Fighting Irish came into the game undefeated on a 3 game win streak Saturday with something to prove to in the world of Minor League Football, and also the 2008 National Champion Albany Metro Mallers. The Mallers players came in putting claim to the Irish home field in pre-game, but they weren’t ready for the battle they were about to face from a young and talented Fighting Irish team.
From the opening kickoff at Troy High School it was a game fill with emotional and pride for the Irish in front of their home fans.
The Irish wasted no time moving the ball on a much older and experienced defense. As the offense came out pounding the ball with Ryan Kane. As the drive stalled Jahmel Tarver bought some time and found Tom Duclos over the middle for a 30-yard touchdown pass to put the Irish up 6-0 early.
The Irish defense was up next to stop a high powered Maller offense lead by QB Scott Lawson. The Irish defense came out strong and kept it up all game causing 5 turnovers on the day. Lead by DB Jamie Merritt who had 5 tackles 2 int’s and a fumble recovery and LB Joshiah Quinn who had 9 tackles.
Once the rain started to fall and the Fighting Irish emotional began to pick up, then some lightning in the distance began. The game was suspended in the 3rd quarter with 7:01 left and the Fighting Irish leading 6-0. The game then resumed after a 30 minute rain delay and the Irish never got back on track. Two blown coverage’s allowed the Metro Mallers to get 14 points on the board quickly as the Fighting Irish offense struggled to get back into rhythm, but the Irish still had a chance to make a comeback.
After a blocked FG by the Fighting Irish the offense came back on the field down 14-6 with around 2:00 minutes left in the game. After a few plays on the drive Jahmel Tarver saw a streaking Gee Rowe down the sideline and let it fly, but it was caught up in the wind and the Mallers intercepted it to seal the game.
The Fighting Irish fall to 3-1 (1-1) on the year and look to redeem themselves next week (7/18) at Home vs. the Southern Tier Diesel at Troy High School with kickoff at 5:30PM. Please come out and support your Fighting Irish!!!
2009 Clawless Tigers Couldn't Scratch Troy's Undefeated Record
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The Fighting Irish came home for their first time in 2009 as they hosted the Tri-County Tigers (NAFL) in a non-league game. The Tigers replaced the bye left by Glove-Cities when they left the league right before week 1. The Fighting Irish have been on the road the past two weeks beating the Amsterdam Zephyrs and Rome Rampage.
The Irish offense struggled in the first half of this one. As the Punt Return team came alive. Gee Rowe and Dison Reynolds each had a return for a touchdown in the game as the defense contributed as well. Jamie Merritt intercepted a pass late in the game and took it back for a touchdown. Rick Fish also returned one that was called back, but did give the Irish amazing field position to help the Irish score.
Even thought the Tigers were big upfront the Fighting Irish defense managed to hold them to a minimum on offense all game. As the Figihting Irish pull away from this one winning 25-13.
In the end Troy’s Fighting Irish came out 3-0 (1-0) and riding high before facing the #1 Nationally Ranked Albany Metro Mallers on July 11th at Troy High School. Kickoff is set for 5:30PM.
2009 Fighting Irish Hand Rome Rampage Home Loss 12-0
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The Rome Rampage made their debut in front of the home fans at RFA stadium as the NFA season got underway. Troy traveled home wet, but happy as they pulled out a 12-0 win over the hosts.
Troy 2-0 (1-0) Gee Rowe opened the scoring with a 39 yard touchdown reception from QB J.P. Howard. Tom Mazzariello then completed the scoring on a wet and sloppy night with a 37 yard touchdown scamper.
The Rampage could get little going on the offensive side of the field as the Fighting Irish defense allowed only 75 total yards all day led by Captain Joshiah Quinn with 9 tackles and one sack, and fellow Linebacker Rick Fish who had 6 tackles. Jason Dolan also registered 3 sacks as Dison Reynolds and Jamie Merritt each had an interception. The Fighting Irish stood strong all night on Defense laying punishing hits to Rampage players to keep the shutout and the victory.
The Fighting Irish will be home at home next week at 5:30PM at Troy High School to take on the Tri-County Tigers (NAFL) in a non-league contest.
2009 Fighting Irish Giving Back To Local Athletes
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Members of the Fighting Irish, and Lucky Charms, stop for a quick picture as they help out during the annual Capital District Special Olympics Track and Field Events. The Track and Field Events were held on Saturday May 9th at Hudson Valley Community College sports complex in Troy. The day was a huge success for all athletes and volunteers! Some of the Fighting Irish members even made some lifelong friends and fans that they currently speak with on a consistent basis.
Currently New York State Special Olympics has over 25,000 volunteers that provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including mental retardation giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. Through their participation in Special Olympics New York athletes gain confidence and build a positive self-image, which carries into the classroom, the home, the workplace and the community.
For more information on how to help in your area of New York State please visit http://nyso.org.
2009 Fighting Irish Schedule
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The Northeastern Football Alliance (NFA) league structure is set for 2009! The Northeast Football Alliance (NFA) announces the 2009 schedule for this coming season. The NFA will be broken down into three divisions, an East, Central, and West. The NFA ten game schedules will begin June 20th and the League Championship will be October 10th. The Eastern Division including Troy will be Albany, Rome, and Glove-Cities. The Fighitng Irish have one of the top 2 hardest schedules this season in the NFA with 4 games between 2008 National Champions ,and nine of their ten games vs. 2008 NFA playoff teams. The 2009 Troy Fighting Irish final schedule is as follows:
June 13th Troy @ Amsterdam (Pre-Season - EFL) 27 - 2 W
June 20th Troy @ Rome 12 - 0 W
June 27th Tri-County Tigers (Non-League - NAFL) @ Troy 25 - 13 W
July 4th July 4th - League Bye
July 11th Albany @ Troy 6 - 14 L
July 18th Southern Tier @ Troy 40 - 8 W
July 25th Troy @ Lyndonville 7 - 9 L
Aug 1st Buffalo @ Troy 18 - 8 W
Aug 8th Troy @ Monroe County 23 - 34 L
Aug 15th
Aug 29th Troy @ Albany 12 - 34 L
Sept 5th Labor Day - League Bye
Sept 12th Troy @ Albany 6 - 40 L
Sept 19th Syracuse @ Troy 0 - 41 L
Playoffs
Sept 26th Troy @ Monroe County Sting 0 - 32 L
Oct 3rd NFA Semi-Finals
Oct 10th NFA Championship Game
2008 National Harvest Bowl
2008 Irish Leash Dogs
2008 Troy Fighting Irish Earn Shutout Victory
2008 Fighting Irish Make Their Own Trail in St. Lawrence
2008 Lawson passes Mallers past Fighting Irish
2008 Albany Collars Troy 46-23
2008 Troy, Albany Hope To Rekindle Semi-pro Rivalry
2008 Fighting Irish Schedule
2007 Fighting Irish President (Sarah Gerwin) Named Troy Record's Person of The Week!
2007 Irish Capture First Win In Franchise History!
