Northwest Vipers Claim Statement Road Win Over Wexford Eagles

Match Snapshot

Opening Overview

The Northwest Vipers delivered a statement performance on the road, defeating the Wexford Eagles 26–18 after a long journey south. Having been beaten twice by the Eagles last season, including in the AFI Plate Final, this was a significant result for the Vipers as they unleashed the venom and made their mark early in the 2026 campaign.

In a game that showcased both explosive offence and dominant defensive play, the Vipers built a commanding first-half lead before holding off a late Eagles comeback to secure the win and move to 2–1 on the season.

First Half Summary

The Vipers made a strong start, taking an early lead when quarterback Mike Naulty connected with Lorcan McCartney for his first senior-kitted touchdown, with Harry Burgess converting the extra point to make it 7–0.

The Eagles responded quickly with a passing touchdown of their own, narrowing the score to 7–6. However, the Vipers offence soon found its rhythm and began to take control of the game.

In his debut performance, Mike Mallon made an immediate impact at running back. Behind a strong showing from the offensive line, Mallon powered his way to two rushing touchdowns, consistently gaining yardage and driving the Vipers forward. Burgess added another extra point to extend the lead.

The scoring continued as Darren Quinn added a rushing touchdown of his own, capping off a dominant offensive stretch. By halftime, the Vipers had built a commanding 26–6 lead. Defensively, the Vipers were outstanding throughout the first half.

Consistent pressure and multiple sacks limited Eagles quarterback Ross McCooey, while JP McKee added an interception to halt a promising Eagles drive.

Second Half Summary

The second half saw a strong response from the home side, as the Eagles began to find momentum through the air. Two passing touchdowns brought them back into contention and reduced the deficit to 26–18. As the game tightened, the Vipers offence struggled to regain the same rhythm that had defined their first-half performance, allowing the Eagles to build pressure heading into the final stages.

However, the Vipers defence stepped up when it mattered most. On the Eagles’ final drive, with no timeouts remaining, Darren Quinn produced a crucial game-sealing interception, halting the comeback attempt and allowing the Vipers offence to take the field in victory formation.

Key Performers

The performance reflected a strong all-round team effort, with standout contributions across the board.

On offence, Mike Mallon was named Offensive MVP following an impressive debut, recording two rushing touchdowns and consistently driving the Vipers forward.

Defensively, Jonbrad Duncan earned Defensive MVP honours after a dominant display that included four sacks, with a special mention to Niall Lyons for his impact in the trenches.

On Special Teams, Lewis Lecky was named Special Teams MVP for his kick returns, consistently giving the Vipers offence strong field position.

MVP awards for the 2026 season are proudly supported by The Branch Bar and Grill, Campbell’s Bar, The Old Dock’s and Georges Bar.

Closing & Next Fixture

The Vipers now turn their attention to a quick turnaround as they return home to Prehen Playing Fields to face the West Dublin Rhinos. With momentum building, the team will be aiming to continue their strong run of form and push their record to 3–1.