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):

2004 2003 2002 2001 1999

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League (Box-Scores & Match Reports):

1995 1994 1992

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

Irish American Football League | 1 Conference 2013-2019

Irish American Football League | 2 Conference 2014-2019

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):

2020

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):

2020

IAFA / IAFL 2 Conference (2014-2019):

2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 

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:):

2018 2017 2014 2013

CUSAI American Football College Bowl (Seasons):

2010 2009 2007 2006

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:

2005-06

IAFA Spring & Autumn League Era (2000-2005): 

2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 

AFAI Senior League Era (1998-2000)

1999-2000 1998-99

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):

NIAFA 1986 1985

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):

 2019 2018 2016

IAFA Festivals (Seasons):

2012 2011 2009

IAFA DV8 Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons):  

2008 

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons): 1992

AFAI Irish American Football League Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons): 

1989 1988 

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):

 2020

IAFA / IAFL Shamrock Bowl Conference Era Preseason Friendlies (Season):

 2019 2018 2017 2016  2015 2014

IAFA Irish American Football League Preseason Friendlies: 

2011 2010

IAFA / IAFL Spring & Autumn Era Preseason Friendlies (seasons): 

2004-05 2004 2003 2001

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Pre-Season Friendlies: 

1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

IAFA Irish American Football League Pre-Season Friendlies: 

1990 

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.

1989

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.

Irish American Football League All-Star Games 1986-Present

Picture Credit: [4] Irish American Football Association (2019) Irish Wolfhounds Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Irish-Wolfhounds-IAFA_2.png [Accessed 13 September 2019

Ireland Teams

Ireland American Football Teams

American Football Ireland Team Lists

American Football Ireland Kitted Teams by County / Region 1942-Present

Irish American Football Team Logos 1985-2019

Ireland Teams

Overview & [Season Roster & Match Reports]:

Ireland National American Football Team 1986-Present

Era-by-Era Records (Scores)

IAFL All-Stars 1986-1991

Northern Hordes 1988-2003

Irish Wolfhounds v European Teams 2016-2019

Team Rosters and Box-Scores:

[ Great Britain Lions 22 Ireland Fighting Irish 0 – 17 March 1995 ]

[ Ireland Fighting Irish 45 Northwest GB All-Stars 0 – 26 November 1995 ]

[ Nations Cup 1997 ]

[ Dutch Lions 20 Irish Wolfhounds 0 | 27 August 2016 ]

[ Irish Wolfhounds 20 Belgian Barbarians 19 | 20 October 2018 ]

[ Belgian Barbarians 6 Irish Wolfhounds 7 Oct 2019

Northern Hordes | Irish Representative Team 1988-2003

IAFL All-Stars | Irish Representative Team 1986-1991

Picture Credit: [1] Dublin Celts American Football Team Facebook Page (2016) Photo by Joseph Greene August 28, 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1421158977901127&set=gm.269427200117075&type=3&theater&ifg=1 [Accessed 3 July 2018]

Irish American Football Teams (Overview in Order of Foundation)

AFAI 1984-1999, IAFA 2001-2019, AFI 2020-present

American Football Association of Ireland (1984-1999)

Note: *Craigavon Cowboys, Belfast Knights, University of Limerick Vikings and Dublin Rebels still in existence from this Era.

Irish American Football Association (2001-2019)

Note: *Many of these Teams are still in existence

Picture Credit: [1] Dublin Celts American Football Team Facebook Page (2016) Photo by Joseph Greene August 28, 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1421158977901127&set=gm.269427200117075&type=3&theater&ifg=1 [Accessed 3 July 2018]

Dublin 11v11 Teams

Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR), Fingal (North Dublin) and South Dublin Teams

Overview & [Season Roster & Match Reports]:

Dublin City

West Dublin Rhinos 2008-Present

Dublin Tigers 1998-1999

Dublin Bulls 1997

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

Dublin Rebels 2001-Present [ 2002 ][ 2004 ][ 2005 ][ 2007 ][ 2008]

Dublin Lightning 1995-1998 [ 1996 ]

Dublin Celts 1984-1993 [ 1985 ][ 1989 ][ 1990 ][ 1992 ][ 1993 ]

Fingal / North Dublin

Dublin City University Saints 2006-2010: [ 2007 ]

North Dublin Marshals 2006

South Dublin

South Dublin Panthers 2015-Present

Tallaght Outlaws 2007-2008

Dublin Dragons 2000-2014 [ 2002 ][ 2003 ][ 2006](see also 8v8 Junior Teams, 8v8 Teams, 8v8 2nds Teams)

Dublin Tornadoes 1986-1996 [ 1994 ] [ 1995 ] [ 1996 ]

Picture Credit: [16] Carrickfergus Knights – Vimeo (2018) Portrait [Internet] Available from: https://i.vimeocdn.com/portrait/482449_300x300 [Accessed 22 July 2018]

Belfast 11v11 Teams

North & West Belfast, South & East Belfast and Lisburn

Overview & [Season Roster & Match Reports]

South & East Belfast

2019 2018

Belfast Bulls 2002-2008 (see also 8v8 Teams, 8v8 2nds Teams)

Queens University Belfast Broncos 1998-1999 (see also 8v8 Teams)

Belfast Blitzers 1985-1988 [ 1986 ][ 1987 ]

North & West Belfast

Belfast Spartans 1985-1996 [All-Time Players: 1984-1997] (see also 8v8 Junior Teams)

Jordanstown Jaguars 1987

North Down and Lisburn

Belfast / NI Giants 1987-1990

Bangor Buccaneers 1986-1987

East Side Jets 1987 [ 1987 ]

PIcture Credit: [19] Craigavon Cowboys – Twitter Account (2018) Profile Picture [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/864100166680424448/TCauLbnj_400x400.jpg [Accessed 22 July 2018]

Ulster 11v11 Teams

Derry, Donegal, Causeway Coast, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan, Monaghan, , Mid-Ulster, Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon, Down

Overview & [Season Roster & Match Reports]

Derry, Donegal and Causeway Coast

Coleraine Chieftains 1985-1990

South, Mid and East Antrim

Antrim Jets [ 2019 ]

Carrickfergus / Belfast Knights 1994-present [ 2002 ] [ 1999 ](see also 8v8 Junior Teams, 8v8 2nds Teams)

Antrim / A26 Bulldogs 1988-1993 [ 1992 ]

Newtownabbey Warriors 1991

Carrickfergus / East Antrim Cougars 1986-1989

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon

Craigavon Cowboys 1986-Present [ 2019 ][ 2017 ] (see also 8v8 Junior Teams, 8v8 Teams, 8v8 2nds Teams)

Portadown Panthers 1996-1997

Lurgan Area Raiders 1994-1995

Picture Credit: [27] North Kildare Reapers Facebook Page (2016) North Kildare Reapers Logo [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1915656_601510396666670_1466765724774743782_n.png?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=9ce7704ef3f30893cf5253668ebb76c8&oe=5C98C46E [Accessed 11 December 2018]

North Leinster & Midlands 11v11 Teams

Louth, Meath, Longford, Westmeath, Kildare, Offaly and Laois

Overview & [Season Roster & Match Reports]:

Louth

Drogheda Vikings 1992

Drogheda Lightning 2013-2014 (see also 8v8 Teams)

Louth / Dundalk Mavericks 2014-Present

Midlands

Tullamore Phoenix 2012-2013 (see also 8v8 Teams)

Meath Bulldogs 2013-Present (see also 8v8 Teams)

Westmeath / Mullingar Minotaurs 2013-Present (see also 8v8 Teams)

Kildare

North Kildare Reapers 2012-2017 (see also 8v8 Teams)

South Kildare Soldiers 2014-2017

Picture Credit: [33] Irish American Football Association (2017) UL Vikings Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ULVikings-HI-RES-Logo.png [Accessed 30 November 2018]

Munster, Connacht & South East 11v11 Teams

Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim

Overview & [Season Roster & Match Reports]:

Cork Teams

Lee Valley Steelers 1988-1993

Cork Admirals 2002-Present [ 2007 ]

Limerick Teams

University of Limerick Vikings 2001-Present [ 20082011]

South East Teams

Greystones Rebels 1998

Waterford Wolves 2013-2019

Connacht Teams:

Galway Warriors 2014-Present

[10] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Post 21 August 2019: “As promised, a never before seen photo of the game held at Ravenhill in 1942. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/pcb.2258995414211601/2258986244212518/?type=3&theater [Accessed 23 August 2019]

Pre-AFAI Teams (1942-1983)

ETO, USAFE, All-American Festival.

Overview & [Season Roster & Match Reports]:

All–American Festival Teams

Yankees played in the All-American Festival in 1983.

Redskins played in the All-American Festival in 1983.

European Theater of Operations Football Teams

Navy Galloping Gaels went 0-0-1 in the ETO Northern Ireland Championship in Winter 1944

Army Wolverines went 0-0-1 in the ETO Northern Ireland Championship in Winter 1944

Tech Fighting Irish went 0-1 in the ETO Football Championship in Northern Ireland in Autumn 1942

Yarvard went 1-1 in the ETO Football Championship in Northern Ireland in 1942

Hale went 1-0 in the ETO Football Championship in Northern Ireland in 1942

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

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

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

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 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

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 ]

Ulster

Brownlow Bandits 1991

Leinster

Midlands Soldiers 2009

Drogheda Lightning 2013

South Kildare Soldiers 2013-2018

Munster

University of Limerick Vikings 2018

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]

Louth

Ardee Falcons 1993 [ 1993 ]

Drogheda Lightning 2011-2012

Wicklow & Carlow

Bray Seahawks 1989-1990

IT Carlow Chargers 2010

Midlands

Edenderry Soldiers 2007-2008

Midlands Soldiers 2009

Tullamore Phoenix 2010-2011

Trim Bulldogs 2011-2012 [ 20112012]

Mullingar Minotaurs 2012

Kildare

North Kildare Reapers 2012

Munster

Limerick Patriots 1993

University of Limerick Vikings 2003

Waterford Wolves 2012

Antrim

Belfast Lasers 1998

Belfast Bulls 2002-2003 [ 2003 ]

Ulster

Craigavon Cowboys 2003-2009

Dublin

Dublin Dragons 2008-2009

Trinity College Dublin Thunderbolts 2008-2009 [ 2008 ]

University College Dublin Sentinels 2009

Connacht

Erris Rams (Mayo) 2009-2010 [ Erris (Mayo) Rams 2009 ]

American Football Ireland 2nds Teams (8v8)

AFAI DV8 Mini-League 1993; IAFA Blitzes 1998-2005; IAFA DV8 Development League 2006-2012; IAFA DV8 Blitzes 2013;

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

Dublin

Dublin Tornadoes Vets 1993

Dublin Dragons 2nds 2001-2012

Dublin Rebels 2nds 2002-2010 [ 2008 ]

Tallaght Outlaws 2nds 2007

Antrim

Carrickfergus Knights 2nds 1998-present

Queens University Belfast Broncos 1998

Belfast Bulls 2nds 2007

Munster

Cork Admirals 2nds 2002-2008 [ 2007 ]

Leinster

Tullamore Phoenix 2nds 2012

Picture Credit:NFL Super Bowl XXII 1988 Official Match Programme Washington Redskins v Denver Broncos Jack Murphy Stadium San Diego – Author’s Personal Collection

National Football League Irish Players and Coaches

NFL Irish Players and Coaches

(New York Giants 1980-1981, Baltimore Colts 1982)

(Buffalo Bills 1977, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1978-1979, St. Louis Cardinals 1980-1985)

Pittsburgh Steelers 1974-1976

(Philadelphia Eagles 1968-1972, Chicago Bears 1972, Detroit Lions 1973)

(New York Giants 1965, Atlanta Falcons 1966)

Ian Jones Irish-Born GAA Football, Rugby Union and NFL American Football Coach 2010-Present

With the first tour of Ireland and Britain in 1994 Canadian teams have been playing Irish teams at American Football, with Canadian rules thrown in.

Picture Credit: [7] Irish American Football Association (2013) Bristol (White) and Greendell (Green) at Tallaght Stadium [Internet] Available from:https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/gbowl8-650×487.jpg [Accessed 8 November 2019]

Irish-born Canadian Football Players

Irish-born Canadian Football Players

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Pre-season 2022

Picture Credit: ARLINGTON, USA – SEP 15, 2015: Interior view of the AT&T Stadium, formerly known as Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Texas, United States By David J Maldonado [Shutterstock]

Irish-Born Alternative Major League Players & Coaches

Irish-Born AAA Football Players

A look at the record of Irish-born Professional & US College American Football Players.

Major Alternative Football Leagues Standings:

2020 2019

Irish-Born AAA American Football Players, Coaches & Personnel:

Panthers Wrooclaw ELF (2021), Aviators TSL (2021)

New York Giants NFL (1965), Atlanta Falcons NFL (1965) and Brooklyn Dodgers Continental Football League (1966)

USC Trojans NCAA Football 1964-1967, Philadelphia Eagles NFL 1968-1972, Detroit Lions NFL 1972, Chicago Bears NFL1973 and The Hawaiians World Football League 1974-1975

Emmett Waldron | Irish-Born Pro & College American Football Player 1993-1999

(Rice Owls (NCAA), Scottish Claymores (WLAF-NFLE))

Linda Holland | Irish-Born Pro Legends-Arena American Football Player 2014

(Western Australia Angels (LFL Australia))

Ian Jones Irish-Born GAA Football, Rugby Union and NFL American Football Coach 2010-Present

(South Carolina Gamecocks (NCAA Football), Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA Football), Cleveland Browns (NFL) Houston Texans (NFL), Salt Lake Stallions (AAF)

Irish-Born World Professional Players, Coaches & Personnel:

Panthers Wrooclaw ELF (2021), Aviators TSL (2021)

Emmett Waldron | Irish-Born Pro & College American Football Player 1993-1999

(Rice Owls (NCAA), Scottish Claymores (WLAF-NFLE))

Linda Holland | Irish-Born Pro Legends-Arena American Football Player 2014

(Western Australia Angels (LFL Australia))

Picture Credit: Croke Park Classic 2014 Official Match Programme- University of Central Florida Knights v Penn State Nittany Lions – Croke Park 2014 – Author’s Personal Collection

Irish-born College Football Players

Particular attention shall be given by Eirball to Notre Dame Fighting Irish (the big Irish Catholic university in South Bend, Indiana) and San Jose State Spartans (as Dublin is twinned with San Jose) as well as any Irish-born Football players in the NCAA FBS.

Irish-Born College Players & Coaches

NCAA;

Irish-Born College, Pro & NFL American Football Players

USC Trojans 1964-1967

Neil O’Donoghue Irish-Born GAA Football, Soccer and NFL American Football Player 1970-1985

(Auburn Tigers (NCAA Div IA), Buffalo Bills (NFL), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), St. Louis Cardinals (NFL))

Michael Mullen Irish-Born College American Football Player 1988-1990

(Wisconsin Badgers NCAA Div IA))

Emmett Waldron | Irish-Born Pro & College American Football Player 1993-1999

(Rice Owls (NCAA Div IA), Scottish Claymores (WLAF-NFLE)

Glenn Baker | Irish Born College American Football Player 2006-2007

(Cheshire Academy Cats (Prep School), Mount Ida Mustangs (NCAA Div III)

Connor Leckey | Irish-Born College American Football Player 2009-2011

(West Liberty Hilltoppers (NCAA Div III))

Darragh O’Neill | Irish Born College American Football Player 2011-2014

(Colorado Buffaloes (NCAA Div 1 FBS))

Sean Galvin | Irish-Born College American Football Player 2012-2014

(UCF Central Florida Knights (NCAA Div 1 FBS))

Irish-Born College Football Coaches & Personnel

Ian Jones Irish-Born GAA Football, Rugby Union and NFL American Football Coach 2010-Present

(South Carolina Gamecocks (NCAA Div 1 FBS), Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA Div 1 FBS), Cleveland Browns (NFL) Houston Texans (NFL), Salt Lake Stallions (AAF))

Conal Fagan Irish-Born College American Football Cheerleader 2018-2020

(Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NCAA Div 1 FBS)