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The losses keep coming for winless Irish

The losing streak continued for the Airdrie Irish men’s football team July 6, with a 28-9 loss to the Calgary Wolfpack at McMahon Stadium.

The defeat to the Irish’s closest rival marked the squad’s fifth consecutive loss in the 2019 Alberta Football League (AFL) season, maintaining its winless record.

The setback came despite Airdrie boasting its highest player turnout yet this season, with 32 members suiting up for the fixture.

“The bounces don’t go your way some days, and if you shoot yourself in the foot a couple of times, it takes its toll,” said Irish player James Balsdon.

The team stayed with the Wolfpack for the first half – conceding just nine points and scoring three. Airdrie’s points came via a single and a safety taken by the Wolfpack in the second quarter.

Calgary took control in the second half, however, registering a further two touchdowns. According to Balsdon, offensive lapses by the Irish led to the Wolfpack extending its lead.

“We had a pick-six and a fumble that went for a touchdown, too,” he said. “The offence didn’t help out [but] the defence was still pretty strong – it was two offensive errors that led to their touchdowns.”

The highlight of the Irish’s evening came near the end of the third quarter, when newcomer Marlon Zamora scored a well-worked touchdown off a pass from Dan Craig.

“It was a beautiful pass – probably 30 yards in the air – and he ran another 20 yards,” Balsdon said.

Despite occupying the bottom of the AFL standings, Balsdon said, the players’ morale remains high as the team enters the final stretch of the season.

“The attitude hasn’t really changed among the core guys,” he said. “We’re still working hard and trying to get some W’s. It’s just been a tough year.

“I think it’s setting up well for next year. You can see we’re not getting blown out by any teams – we do have a good core of guys, and it should bring in some more people [next season].”

Fortunately for the Irish, two of the team’s final three regular-season games will be played at home. The squad returns to the field July 13 to take on the unbeaten Cold Lake Fighter Jets.

Despite being the newest franchise in the AFL, Cold Lake has been the cream of the crop this season. The team has won all four of its games by a combined score of 144-30 – an average of 36 points per game and only 7.5 against. The last time Airdrie took on Cold Lake, the Fighter Jets won 27-6 in the teams’ first games of the season.

“The next game is going to be the toughest, for sure – Cold Lake is looking pretty strong,” Balsdon said. “But, I think Red Deer and Fort McMurray should be a lot more competitive.”

Kick off for the July 13 game is at 5:30 p.m. at the Ed Eggerer Athletic Park.

Following that fixture, the Irish will round out its season with a road trip to Red Deer July 20, to face the Central Alberta Buccaneers, and a home date Aug. 10 with the Fort McMurray Monarchs.

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