Vikings retain Shamrock Bowl

UL's American Football team, the UL Vikings, won their second national championship in a row on Sunday, winning the Shamrock Bowl title decider at Cork IT by 14 points to 12 against the Dublin Rebels.

UL came hard at the Dublin defence in the first half and controlled the game, leading 14-3 at halftime following touchdowns from backs Adrian Garvey and Dara O'Callaghan and two point conversion by Seamus Feehan. A second half touchdown for the Rebels by Paul Smyth put the Dublin side back in contention but the experienced UL defence were unfazed and managed to block a late field goal to retain the title. Adrian Garvey was awarded Most Valuable Player in the final for his contributions to the Limerick win.

Paul Lee, UL Clubs & Societies Development Officer praised the achievement of the team while remembering where the club began, saying "Established in 1999 by a lone American Study Abroad student, Mr Coda Plain, and less than nine years later to be an established sport and club, it really is a credit to all involved in the UL Vikings' short history to retain the Shamrock Bowl"

Baton Twirling Winners

Japan dominated competition at the World Baton Twirling Championships held last week at the University Arena. Held from Thursday to Sunday, the finals over the weekend saw Japanese competitors take a clean sweep of the gold, silver and bronze medals in the men's and women's junior and senior freestyle competitions as well as gold in the team event. Also winning the junior pairs competition, their only loss came in the senior pairs, where they came a close second after France. With jubilation high after their medal sweep, the Japanese senior men's team had to be escorted to their dressing room by security after being mobbed by excited fans.

In the International Cup, a two-day event with a larger range of categories that ended last Wednesday at the Arena, Japan also ruled the medal podium, again winning all but one of the A level competitions on offer.

UL Olympic Flag Bearer

Ciara Peelo, a UL graduate of Physical Education in 2005 and sailing competitor at this year's Olympic games, had the honour of leading the Irish athletes into the Beijing National Stadium last Friday as the flag bearer for the Irish team at the Olympics opening ceremonies.

Competing in the Laser Radial event, the women's individual sailing competition, Ciara has a heavy schedule that will involve racing twice a day until next Sunday. Having finished in 29th position at this year's world championships and currently ranked 38th in the world, Ciara is unlikely to be among the medal winners at this year's event, which has 28 competitors in total, but should gain valuable experience for the London 2012 Olympics.

Speaking before the opening ceremonies, Ciara said "'For all the past Olympics you are always looking at it and you see the people who have carried the Irish flag. To be put into that category as one of those people is just unbelievable.'

Early risers can catch Ciara's progress on RTE – the races begin at 6am and 7am Irish time each morning.