Irish 8v8 American Football

This is the Index Page to the All-Time Archive of 8v8 American Football (Contact) in Ireland. This version of American Football is designed to facilitate the playing of American Football in 3 areas of competition: (1) Junior Kitted Teams. (2) Small Towns; and (3) 11v11 Teams to field 2nds Teams. depending on the numbers that turn up on gthe day it could be 6v6; 7v7; 8v8 or 9v9. Includes Early Pre-Pads American Football 1983-1991

Header Picture Credit: [1] Hogan, Sean (2016) “Kildare’s American football team crowned All Ireland champs”. Kildare Now. 26 October, 2016. [Internet] Available from: https://www.kildarenow.com/upload/2016/10/26122252/IMG_1564-e1477481286183.jpg [Accessed 30 January 2020]

variety of sport trophies — Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

The first Junior / Youth Kitted American Football League was created in 1991, when the Northern Ireland Junior American League made the step up from Two-Touch to Kitted. It lasted two seasons, and from then the Ballymena Wolfhounds played international exhibition games against British opposition as they had no opposition in Ireland.

In the 2000s there were a number of exhibition games played among Junior Kitted teams, and in 2013 the first IAFA Junior Kitted Programme was officially launched, with a 7-team League, playing 7v7, 8v8, 9v9 Kitted Football (depending on the numbers on the day) in 2019.

There has also been 6v6 Junior Kitted American Football.

Junior / Youth Kitted Football

American Football Ireland Youth Kitted League 2013-Present; NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League Two-Touch 1991-1994; Youth Challenge Games 1995-2012

Junior / Youth Kitted Finals

American Football Ireland Youth Kitted Finals 2013-Present

Junior / Youth Kitted Standings

Irish American Football Association Youth Kitted League 2013-2019

Northern Ireland Junior American League 1991-1992

Junior / Youth Kitted Results

AFI Youth League (Seasons): 2020

IAFA Youth Kitted League (Seasons):

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

IAFA Youth Cups, Leagues and Tournaments (Seasons):

2009 2008 2007 2006

AFAI Junior Kitted Challenge (Seasons): 1994

NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League (Kitted – Seasons):

1994 1992 1991

NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League (Kitted – Preseasons):

1991

Junior / Youth Kitted Box-Scores

Youth Internationals (Club):

UK & Ireland Youth Kitted Football | Exhibition 1998 Box Score

a pigskin football and a silver trophy — Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

From 1986 to 1991, before Flags were brought in, there were a number of Junior Two-Touch Leagues organised by regional development bodies, such as the East Coast Junior Football Association (Greater Dublin Area) from 1986 to 1987, and the Northern Ireland Junior American League which ran from 1988 to 1990, when it became fully kitted. In 1991, a Junior Two-Touch American Football Blitz took place in Tymon Park, Tallaght. These Leagues were Two-Touch, although it was only the ball carrier who had to be touched twice, all other ;positions were full contact (i.e. Blocking etc.)

[References: Andrew Wilson’s reply to Eirball’s post, March 27, 2020 [Internet] Available at : https://www.facebook.com/eirballenda/posts/2433567573622264?comment_id=2696161900696162&notif_id=1612882525056885&notif_t=feed_comment&ref=notif [Accessed 11 February 2021]

Junior Two Touch American Football

NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League Two-Touch 1986-1990; ICAF Youth Blitz 1991; East Coast Junior Football Association 1985-1986

Junior Two Touch Results

ICAF Junior Touch American Football Blitz (Seasons): 1991

Northern Ireland Junior American League (Seasons): 1990 1988 1987 1986

East Coast Junior Football Association (Seasons): 1987 1986

Northern Ireland Junior American League (Preseasons): 1990

selective focus photography of man playing american football — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The first DV8 Development Mini-League was created in 1993, for smaller teams like the Ardee Falcons (Co. Louth), and Dublin Tornadoes Vets (2nds team). Blitzes were played over the following 10 years, with another Mini-League (IAFL Division 2) created in 2003. Again Blitzes were employed up until the creation of the DV8 Development League in 2008, which lasted until 2012, when the League became the full 11v11 IAFL 1 Conference. The DV8 format was then used for the Junior Kitted League.

DV8 Development League / Blitzes

IAFA DV8 Development League 2008-2012; IAFA Mini-League 1993; IAFA Blitzes and Challenge Games 1994-2012.

DV8 Development League / Challenge Standings

DV8 Development League – 1st and 2nds Teams Standings 2008-2012

Irish American Football League | DV8 Development League 2008-2012

Irish American Football Association DV8 Challenge 1998-2003

DV8 International Blitz Results

DV8 International Blitz (Seasons): 1995

DV8 Development League / Challenges and Blitzes Results

IAFA DV8 Development League (Seasons):

2012 2011 2010 2009 2008

IAFA DV8 Blitzes:

2012 2012 2011 2010 2008 2007

Spring & Autumn League Era Division 2 Leagues, Blitzes and Challenges:

2004 2003 2002 20011998

AFAI Development Mini-League:

1993

a football on green grass — Photo by Nisarg Dave on Pexels.com

Beginning with a match in Banbridge between two teams of specially trained Rugby players for American Indendence Day in 1983 through to the first Irish American Football League season in 1986, non-kitted contact Football was played between Irish teams due to the huge cost involved in getting helmets and padding imported into the country from USA. By 1987 all teams were now fully kittted and the League played its first full season. The non-kitted version of American Football would have been very like the early days of the NFL or Ohio League from 1900 to 1930s, or more modern day pick-up games in parks throughout the United States. These non-pad, non-helmet pick-up games have recently been codified by the American 7s Football League, which has similar rules to 8v8 Football such as Arena / Indoor Football.

Early Pre-Pads American Football

Pick-Up Games and Challenge Games 1983-1986

Early Pre-Pads Football Matches Results

Early Pre-Pads Football Matches (Seasons):

1985 1983

International 8v8 American Football

black player of american football on stadium — Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma’aji on Pexels.com

International 8-Man American Football (Irish Clubs):

AFI 8-v8

American Football Association of Ireland | Wicklow Festival 8-a-side Blitz 1995

UK & Ireland Youth Kitted Football | Exhibition 1998 Box Score

Irish 8v8 American Football Teams

This is the Eirball Index Page to the History, Results and Rosters of Irish 8v8 American Football (also known as Arena or Indoor Football) was invented in the USA to help smaller towns, colleges and High Schools play Football. It is most popular in Mexico. American Football Ireland runs Leagues for three types of 8v8 Teams: Youth Contact, Smaller Towns and 2nds Teams. It is also hoping to start an 8v8 Blitz for Women. The Leagues can also be 7v7 and 9v9 depending on the numbers of players on the day.

boy wearing football gear while holding football — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Youth Contact 8v8 Teams

Northern Ireland Junior American Football League Two-Touch 1986-1990; Northern Ireland Junior American League Kitted 1991-1993; Irish American Football League Junior Blitz 2009-2012; Irish American Football League Youth Kitted League 2013-2019; American Football Ireland Youth Kitted League 2020.

All-Time Record & [Season Roster & Match Reports]

Antrim

Antrim Cobras 1987-1988 [ 1988 ]

Ballymena Wolfhounds 1991-1998 [ Exhibition 1998]

Belfast Junior Spartans 1991-1992

Prospect Pumas 1991-1993 [ 1992 ]

Carrickfergus Knights 2013-2014

Antrim Jets [ 2019 ]

Smaller Towns 8v8 Teams

American Football Association of Ireland Mini-League 1993; Irish American Football Association Blitzes 1998-2005; IAFA DV8 Development League 2006-2012; IAFA DV8 Blitzes 2013.

All-Time Record & [Season Roster & Match Reports]