The Cowboys flag team head to Dublin tomorrow to compete in the EBC V Playoffs after an undefeated regular season saw them crowned EBC North Champions. Having finished the overall league as 2nd seed, the team by-passes the wildcard round and are straight into the semi-finals, playing for a spot in the EBC Championship game. We caught up with flag team manager Jason Duddy to get his thoughts before the big day.

By Jo Buchanan

As our second Give It A Go session quickly approaches, we spoke with Cowboys Rookie of the Year 2018 Joseph Marley to find out more about his experience in joining the club.

​Only 2 days to go! As we continue the build up to Sundays game against the Warriors, we spoke with Cowboys Vice President Sean Byrne to get his thoughts on the year so far and the game on Sunday.

As the days get less and less until we take on the Galway Warriors in the playoffs, we caught up with player and board member Jason Duddy.

At the half way point of the season, we caught up with defensive co-ordinator Mark Beattie to talk about the season so far, and the games to come. 

With game 4 on the horizon, we spoke to defensive captain Jo Buchanan on his time with the Cowboys, his playing experience and thoughts on the season so far.

 
You have been with Cowboys now for a number of years, what was it that attracted you to the sport and primarily the Cowboys?
“I was 14 when I started playing, with my interest coming from the NFL and how technical the game is. At that time, the Cowboys were the only team to have football for that age (cadet flag). I went a couple of times, then started a flag team in my home town. When I turned 18, I was ready to start playing kitted football so the Cowboys was the obvious choice with their history and having previously trained with them.”

As game 2 against the Antrim Jets fast approaches, we spoke in-depth with long serving Cowboy Manny Bell on his playing career so far and hopes for this season.

​This is your 11th year as a Cowboy, what is it that keeps you coming back for another season? 
“What keeps me coming back after 10+ years is, the sport itself, the craic, the competitive experience and sure what else would you do on a Sunday? Sit and watch mind bending telly? I love knowing that Sunday is my day to get together with a great bunch of lads, have a bit of banter and then smash each other in the mouth, dust yourself off and go again.”
 
You have moved all across the offensive line positions in your time playing as well as jumping across to the other side of the ball when needed, what has been your favourite position and what is it about O-Line you love?
“I have played across the line and to be honest I’ve enjoyed each position at different times in my career as a Cowboy, I really enjoyed playing centre while playing with Big John Scott and Mark Beattie as guards, I also enjoyed playing guard with the late Terry Lynch and Paul Braniff at centre. But I’m really enjoying playing left tackle at the minute, it’s more of a thinking position rather than brute force like guard and centre.”

One day to go to the big game! We spoke with QB Anton Nulty on his 2nd cap for TI u20s and his time at the Cowboys so far.

With only two days to go before Team Ireland u20s face off against USA AFW Elite, we caught up with DB David McMichael to find out more about his football journey so far and how he is feeling about Saturday.

As the 2018 season approaches, with game 1 for the Cowboys tomorrow, we spoke with Club President Jo Buchanan to find out a bit about the behind the scenes work in the off season and his thoughts on the upcoming IAFL 1 season.
 
As the 2018 season approaches, I’m sure it is a relief to finally be on the verge of some football with a lot of hard work gone on in the background at the Cowboys?
​“Yes definitely, everyone can’t wait to get back to it tomorrow. As disappointing as the IAFL 1 Bowl loss was last year, we had to immediately switch our attention to 2018 – such is the nature of football! It has certainly been a busy off season, between planning, rookie camp and training. But the board of management and the committees have all worked hard to improve the club as a whole and we are certainly in a great position going into this season.”