Vipers hunt a hat-trick as the Rhinos charge into Prehen

The Northwest Vipers return to Prehen Playing Fields this weekend with a massive point to prove. Following a string of dominant performances, the Vipers are locked in on a third consecutive victory as they prepare to halt the West Dublin Rhinos' charge in a high-stakes AFI Division 1 clash.

Kick-off is set for 2:00pm in what promises to be a physical encounter between two of the league's most determined sides.

The Vipers enter the weekend fueled by momentum after a statement 26-18 road win against the Wexford Eagles. That victory was a landmark moment for the club, flipping the script on a rival that had bested them twice last season.

Against Eagles they started fast, with quarterback Mike Naulty connecting with Lorcan McCartney for the opening touchdown - McCartney’s first at senior kitted level - and Harry Burgess adding the extra point. After the Eagles responded to make it 7–6, the Vipers offense began to take full control.

In his debut, Philadelphia native Mike Mallon announced himself in style, running hard behind a dominant offensive line and punching in two rushing touchdowns. The ground game proved too much for the Eagles to handle, and with Darren Quinn also adding another rushing score, the Vipers surged into a commanding 26–6 lead by halftime.

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But it wasn’t just the offense making headlines.

Defensively, the Vipers were relentless. The defensive line consistently broke through, racking up multiple sacks and putting the Eagles’ quarterback under constant pressure. That disruption made it difficult for the Eagles to build any rhythm, while the Vipers secondary stepped up with key interceptions to halt any comeback momentum.

Even as the Eagles pushed in the second half, the Vipers showed composure and resilience to see out the game, securing a deserved 26–18 victory - a performance built on physicality, discipline, and big plays on both sides of the ball.

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Combined with an earlier 21-0 shutout of the Antrim Stags, the Vipers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with heading into this weekend.

The team is calling on supporters from across the Northwest to come out and get behind them. With a 2.00pm kick-off at Prehen Playing Fields, it’s a great opportunity to see this exciting Vipers side in action and play your part in pushing them forward.

All roads lead to Prehen this Sunday.

Unleash the Venom.