This is the Index Page to the All-Time Results, Standings and Box-Scores of American Football Ireland 11v11 Leagues, College Bowl, Early Pre-Pads Football, Festivals, All-Star Games and Preseasons. Below you will find links to the Results & Tables of the Irish American Football League since its first year in 1986, in increasing levels of detail, depending on how much detail you want
Photo Credit: Shamrock Bowl 33 2019 Programme – Authors personal collection
In 2001, a new administration – the Irish American Football Association – re-established the Irish American Football League, as a Winter League in 2001, and a Spring League in 2002, and then in 2003 as ‘Division 1’ with an 8-Man Division 2. Divisions 1 & 2 were merged into one 11-Man, 6-team IAFL in 2004, and the League expanded to 11 teams by 2008, when a new 8-Man Development League was again re-introduced, to help newer teams starting out, and help existing clubs field second teams. the Development League became a full 11-Man Second Level in 2013, with the two tiers renamed the Shamrock Bowl Conference & IAFL 1 Conference. A third Tier, the IAFL 2 Conference was introduced in 2014, leading to a 23-team League at its height. In 2020 the Irish American Football Association was renamed American Football Ireland, under new management, President Orla McAleese, the first Female President of the Association.
American Football Ireland Results, Standings, Box-Scores and Match Reports
In Depth Match Reports and Box-Scores 1986-Present
AFI Premier Division Era (Box-Scores and Match Reports)
2022: First Full season after COVID Pandemic – University of Limerick Vikings and Trinity College Dublin Thunderbolts relegated from 2019 to AFI Division 1 and South Dublin Panthers promoted
2021: Friendly season in place due to Covid: Belfast Knights, Belfast Trojans, Craigavon Cowboys and South Dublin Panthers in Northern Friendly Schedule.
IAFL Spring & Autumn League Era (Box-Scores & Match Reports):
AFAI All-Ireland American Football League (Box-Scores & Match Reports):
AFAI Irish American Football League Early Era (Box-Scores and Match Reports)
1987: First Full Season – Addition of Belfast Spartans, Bangor Buccaneers, Jordanstown Jaguars, Belfast Giants, Dublin Tornadoes and East Side Jets. Celts won Shamrock Bowl II
1986: First Season: 5 teams – Dublin Celts, Coleraine Chieftains, Belfast Blitzers, Carrickfergus Cougars and Craigavon Cowboys.Cowboys won Shamrock Bowl I
AFI Division 1 (2022-Present)
University of Limerick Vikings relegated from SBC 2019, Craigavon Cowboys promoted to AFI Premier from 2019. Louth Mavericks relegated from IAFL 1 2019, Cill Dara Crusaders promoted from IAFL 2 2019. Waterford Wolves and Galway Warriors folded during 2019 season.
Photo Credit: Shamrock Bowl XI 1996 Programme – Authors’ Personal Collection
The Irish American Football League has been running since 1986. The first Shamrock Bowl (Ireland’s Super Bowl or Title Game) was played in 1986 and the first full Irish American Football League season in 1987. For the first three seasons the League operated in Ireland only, and then in 1989 became part of the Combined Gridiron League which operated throughout Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. In 1990 the League returned to an Ireland-only league, but only in Northern Ireland, with the sole Republic of Ireland representatives, the Dublin Celts, playing in the UK Second Division (NCMMA) and playing a series of exhibition matches against the Northern Irish teams. Following on from the Irish League Final, the Champions of the Irish League played against the Dublin Celts in the Shamrock Bowl.
American Football Ireland Standings
The Results of the Finals of the three levels in the Irish American Football League
(11 v 11): Shamrock Bowl, AFI 1 Bowl and AFI 2 Bowl
Shamrock Bowl & AFI 1 Bowl and AFI 2 Bowl
American Football Ireland Shamrock Bowls 1986-Present
American Football Ireland 1 Bowls 2014-Present
American Football Ireland 2 Bowls 2014-Present
Shamrock Bowl Confernce / Premier Overviews
Final Standings and playoff matches 1983-Present
Irish American Football League Shamrock Bowl Conference 2013-2019
Irish American Football Association Irish American Football League 2006-2012
Irish American Football League Winter and Spring League Era 1997-2005
All-Ireland American Football League 1990-1996
Irish American Football League 1983-1989
American Football Ireland 1 & 2 Divisions Overviews
Final Standings and Playoff Matches 2013-Present
Picture Credit: Shamrock Bowl XXXI 2017 Programme – Authors’ Personal Collection
In 1991 an All-Ireland American Football League was re-established, under the American Football association of Ireland banner, which became the Irish Senior League in 1997, under new management. This was a time when the initial excitement for the new sport faded, and the NFL was no longer on terrestrial TV in Ireland or Britain, and the number of teams dropped to 3 in 1999, and then in 2000 there was no league.
American Football Ireland Results
Season by Season Results and Standings 1984-Present
Shamrock Bowl Conference / Premier Season Results
AFI Premier Division (2020-Present): 2020
IAFA/IAFL Shamrock Bowl Conference (2013-2019):
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
IAFA Irish American Football League (2006-2012):
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Autumn and Spring League Era (1998-2005):
2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 1999 1998
AFAI All-Ireland AFL (1991-1997):
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
Irish League and Conference Era (1984-1990):
1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984
American Football Ireland 1 Division 2013-Present
AFI Division 1 (2020-Present):
IAFA / IAFL 1 Conference (2013-2019):
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
American Football Ireland 2 Division 2014-Present
AFI Division 2 (2020-Present):
IAFA / IAFL 2 Conference (2014-2019):
Picture Credit: Trinity Bowl 1992 Poster – Authors’ Personal Collection
The Jordanstown Jaguars, based in Ulster University Jordanstown played in the first full season of the Irish American Football League in 1987. The Trinity Bowl, played from 1992-1995, was the first competition played in Irish Universities, although it did not involve College teams. From 1998 to 1999 the Queen’s University Belfast Broncos competed in the AFAI Irish Senior League, and in 1999 the University of Limerick Vikings were formed, initially as a Flag Football team, and then from 2001 onwards as a fully kitted team playing uin the resurrected IAFL. The First Kitted College Bowl was played in 2006, when there was more than one kitted College team for the first time, namely the University of Limerick Vikings and Dublin City University Saints. The College Championship became a three-team tournament involving the Trinity College Dublin Thunderbolts and the University College Dublin Sentinels in 2010 (DCU were no longer fielding a team).
American Football Ireland College
American Football Ireland Intervarsity Championship
College Bowl / Intervarsity Championship
American Football Ireland Intervarsity Championship 2006-Present
IAFA College Championship (Seasons:):
CUSAI American Football College Bowl (Seasons):
Preseason College Bowls:
American Football Association of Ireland | Trinity Bowl 1992-1995
Picture Credit: Emerald Isle Classic, Rutgers v Pitt; Landsdowne Road, Dublin, Saturday, 2nd December 1989 Official Match Programme Photo: Author’s Personal Collection.
Irish American Football Season Overviews
AFAI Era (1990-1997); Spring & Autumn League Era (1998-2005
Final Tables and International Results in Irish American Football & Flag Football Organised on a Season-by-Season Basis:
IAFA Irish American Football League DV8 Development League Expansion Era (2006-2012)
IAFA:
IAFA Spring & Autumn League Era (2000-2005):
2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01
AFAI Senior League Era (1998-2000)
AFAI Irish American Football League Era (1984-1990)
Picture Credit: [6] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Photo 22 August 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/pcb.2260513057393170/2260507127393763/?type=3&theater [Accessed 23 August 2019]
Pre-American Football Ireland Leagues
Starting with the US Army’s European Theater of Operations Football Championship in Northern Ireland in 1942, through to the 4th of July Festival match in 1983, held in Banbridge Rugby Club between two teams of specially trained Rugby players, American Football Leagues in Ireland pre-date the American Football Ireland (Originally Irish American Football Association) by 52 years.
Pre-American Football Ireland Leagues
The Results of the European Theater of Operations Football Championship Autumn 1942 and the ETO Northern Ireland Championship 1944. Also the All-American Festival in Banbridge in 1983
Early Pre-Pads Football Matches (Seasons):
1983: First unofficial game between two Irish teams – Redskins v Yankees at Banbridge
ETO European Theater of Operations Football Championship (Seasons):
1944: ETO Northern Ireland Championship: Army Wolverines v Navy Galloping Gaels at Newry
1942: First American Football games in Ireland: ETO Football Championship – Hale Blue Devils, Yarvard Crimson Tide and Tech Fighting Irish at Larne and Ravenhill, Belfast
Picture Credit: [7] Craigavon Cowboys (2016) Cowboys beat Soldiers at Stars and Stripes Event [Internet] Available from: https://www.craigavoncowboys.co.uk/uploads/7/8/0/2/78026140/1467843728.png [Accessed 10 February 2020]
Festivals and Exhibition matches have been organised since 1983, with teams playing in smaller towns in the Irish Regions, or as part of 4th of July Celebrations in both Dublin and all over the Country. Some of these festival matches have attracted up to 5,000 spectators.
Festival matches also take part in preseason, and can also be Regular Season matches or DV8 8-a-side matches.
American Football Ireland Festivals (1983-Present)
Irish American Football League Festivals & Exhibition Matches 1986-Present
Irish American Football Association Marcel Seeley Memorial Cup 2016-2019
Irish American Football Association Dingle Classic (Gaeltacht Bowl) 2009-2011
American Football Association of Ireland | Trinity Bowl 1992-1995
Irish American Football League Summer Bowl Festival 1986-1989
IAFA /IAFL Shamrock Bowl Conference Era Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons):
IAFA Festivals (Seasons):
IAFA DV8 Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons):
AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons): 1992
AFAI Irish American Football League Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons):
1989: Bray Seahawks, Dublin Tornadoes, Craigavon Cowboys, Belfast Giants. Cavan Lakes & Vales Festival
1988: Antrim Bulldogs Friendlies; Birr Vintage Festival
1987: Jack Daniels Summer Bowl
1986: Jack Daniels Summer Bowl
Preseason, like in the National Football League is an important part of player development. The Irish American Football League generally plays a two-game preseason in preparation for the 8-game regular season.
American Football Ireland Preseasons
American Football Ireland Preseason Results & Standings
American Football Ireland Preseason Friendlies (seasons):
IAFA / IAFL Shamrock Bowl Conference Era Preseason Friendlies (Season):
IAFA Irish American Football League Preseason Friendlies:
IAFA / IAFL Spring & Autumn Era Preseason Friendlies (seasons):
AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Pre-Season Friendlies:
IAFA Irish American Football League Pre-Season Friendlies:
American Football Association of Ireland Preseasons (Box-Scores & Match Reports)
1989: IAFL joined Combined Gridiron League of Britain and Ireland, playing in an Irish Conference. Addition of Antrim A26 Bulldogs, loss of Belfast Blitzers.
1987: Addition of Carrickfergus Cougars, Belfast Spartans, Bangor Buccaneers, Jordanstown Jaguars, Belfast Giants, East Side Jets, Dublin Tornadoes, Aldergrove Hawks.
1986: Belfast Blitzers, Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Celts, Coleraine Chieftains.
Picture Credit: Carrickfergus Knights Shamrock Bowl 1994 Season Preview – Authors Personal Collection
Picture Credit: [9] Dublin Rebels Wayback Machine (2005) 2005shamrockbowl1 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20050901182936im_/http://www.dublinrebels.com/2005shamrockbowl1.jpg [Accessed 1 February 2021]
American Football Ireland All-Star Games
The Results of the IAFL All-Star Games 1986-Present
All Star Games have been a integral part of Irish American Football since the beginning, as in the National Football League.