Blues can't keep Wolves from the door

Play-off capitulation may have condemned Waterford United to another year in the First Division wilderness, but they will at least have some company. The Waterford Wolves American Football team have announced that the RSC will be their home for the upcoming season, which begins at home to the North Kildare Reapers on March 3^rd (kick-off 1pm).

The Wolves began life as a flag football team before last year making the move to full-contact play. This will be their first year competing in the Irish American Football League (IAFL) and club secretary/defensive coordinator John McGrath spoke to Extratime.ie about the significance of the move.

“It was massive for us,” said McGrath. “It was a big piece of the puzzle in getting this team off the ground and securing our future. It gives us a base and provides the club with real credibility – people can see that we are serious about making this work.

We are delighted to have been accepted into the RSC, it’s a fantastic venue with great pitches and will provide us with the chance to promote the club and the sport in the South East.”

The Wolves will play eight games this coming season – four of which will be at their new home – with each game taking place on a Sunday. Fans of Waterford United needn’t fear the celebrated RSC turf, which was shortlisted for FAI Pitch of the Year last season, being cut up by the heavy heels of linemen however; the Wolves will play primarily on one of the newly-installed training pitches adjacent to the Blues’ home field.

The option does exist however for important Wolves’ games to be moved to the main pitch; a decision to be made by the City Council, which United could protest but not overrule.

This move will be seen as a huge boost to the sport of American Football in the region, as well as for the Wolves themselves who have made enormous strides over the past twelve months. The team endured the tragedy of losing its coach, Dave Collins, in that time but has now been taken under the wing of his brother Steve, whose experience McGrath described as ‘invaluable’.

With both campaigns now just around the corner, pre-season preparations are well underway at the RSC. The question for South-East sports fans is this: are you ready for some football?