Vipers Rally Late but Fall Just Short Against Dublin Wolves

Match Snapshot

Opening Overview

Week 3 of the Claddagh Bowl brought the Northwest Vipers Women’s Flag team to Donaghadee for a sunny day of football hosted by the North Down Dragons. Game 1 saw the Vipers matched up against a Dublin City Wolves side that started fast and put early pressure on the scoreboard. The Vipers, though, showed real composure to settle into the game, find their rhythm offensively, and keep fighting right to the final minutes. A late touchdown and two-point conversion made it a one-score finish, but the comeback ultimately came up just short in an 18–15 defeat.

First Half Summary

The Wolves struck first to take a 6-0 lead, and the Vipers’ opening offensive drive was a hard-fought march downfield that unfortunately didn’t end in points. The Wolves capitalised with a second score soon after, and although the conversion didn’t land, it pushed the advantage out to 12-0.

The Vipers responded well on the next possession, settling into a better rhythm and moving the ball with more confidence. The drive ended with a passing touchdown connection to Rachel McDaid, and rookie wide receiver Aisling Grieve added the extra point reception to cut the gap. That score was a big lift heading into halftime, with the Vipers trailing 12-7 but very much in the contest.

Second Half Summary

The second half opened with the Wolves adding another touchdown to extend the lead to 18-7, forcing the Vipers into chase mode. The Vipers defence answered with a strong spell of football, flying to flags and making the Wolves work for every yard. Rachel McDaid led the way with two interceptions, giving the Vipers multiple chances to swing momentum back their way — but the offense couldn’t quite turn those takeaways into points.

Still, the Vipers kept pushing. In the closing minutes, Cara Phillips led a determined drive downfield and into the red zone. The offence finished it with a touchdown pass to Aisling Grieve, and the Vipers stayed aggressive with a two-point conversion completed to Tia Sadlon. That late surge brought the score to 18-15 and set up a tense finish, but time ran out before the Vipers could complete the comeback.

Key Performers

Aisling Greive was named Offensive MVP while Rachel McDaid was named Defensive MVP.

Closing & Next Fixture

It’s a tough one to take because the Vipers showed they could match the Wolves when they settled, and the late fight nearly flipped the result. The positives are clear: better rhythm as the game went on, defensive takeaways, and a composed finish under pressure. The focus now is on starting faster and turning those defensive stops into points as the Vipers move into Game 2 of Week 3.