Irish American Football
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This is an All-Time Record of Irish 11v11 American Football, including All-Time Results & Standings; International Results; Irish 11v11 American Football Teams; Irish 11v11 American Football Players, Coaches & Officials; Irish American Football Records and Irish American Football Yearbooks. Please use the navigation bar above to see the record of Irish 8v8 American Football (Development Leagues; 2nds Teams; Youth Contact Football) and Flag Football.
This is the Index / Landing 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
Header Image Credit: [1] Photo by Thomas Ronveaux on Pexels.com [2] American Football Ireland Mini-Helmets by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball [3] [4]
American Football Ireland 1984-Present
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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. 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
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 Premier Division
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American Football Ireland Standings, Schedule and Statistics 1984-Present
Football on Field by Jean-Daniel Francouer
Shamrock Bowl
American Football Ireland Shamrock Bowls 1986-Present
Irish American Football League Overviews
3. American Football Ireland Premier Division Standings and Schedule 2021-Present
AFI Premier Division Era (Scores, scorers, rosters and Match Reports)
Shamrock Bowl XXXV: Dublin Rebels 40 UCDAF 34
2023: 35th AFI season: West Dublin Rhinos relegated after 2022 and replaced in AFI Premier Division by 2022 AFI Division 1 Bowl Winners Westmeath Minotaurs
Shamrock Bowl XXXIV: UCD Sentinels 52 Dublin Rebels 24
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
Shamrock Bowl Conference / Premier Season Results
AFI Premier Division (2020-Present):
2. Irish American Football Association Shamrock Bowl Conference Standings and Schedule 1998-2019
football helmet beside football on gray asphalt road Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
IAFA/IAFL Shamrock Bowl Conference (2013-2019):
Irish American Football League Shamrock Bowl Conference 2013-2019
IAFA Irish American Football League (2006-2012):
Irish American Football Association Irish American Football League 2006-2012
Autumn and Spring League Era (1998-2005):
Irish American Football League Winter and Spring League Era 1997-2005
1. American Football Association of Ireland Standings and Schedule 1984-1997
AFAI All-Ireland AFL (1991-1997):
All-Ireland American Football League 1990-1996
Irish League and Conference Era (1984-1990):
Irish American Football League 1983-1989
Detailed Match Reports, Scorers and Statistics
2. Irish American Football Association Standings, Schedule and Statistics 1998-2019
IAFL Spring & Autumn League Era (Scores, scorers, rosters and Match Reports)
1. American Football Association of Ireland Standings, Schedule and Statistics 1984-1997
AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Era (Scores, scorers, rosters and Match Reports)
AFAI Irish American Football League Era (Box-Scores and Match Reports)
1988: Third Season – new team Antrim A26 Bulldogs played friendlies. Jordanstown Jaguars and East Side Jets did not return after disbanding halfway through 1987 season. Bangor Buccaneers became North Down Raiders but did not play in league. NI (Belfast Tennants) Giants played preseason but pulled out of regular season due to dispute over scheduling. SB III Dublin Celts 34 Belfast Blitzers 6
1987: First Full Season – Addition of Belfast Spartans, Bangor Buccaneers, Jordanstown Jaguars, Belfast Giants, Dublin Tornadoes and East Side Jets. SB II Dublin Celts 43 Craigavon Cowboys 25
1986: First Season: 5 teams – Dublin Celts, Coleraine Chieftains, Belfast Blitzers, Carrickfergus Cougars and Craigavon Cowboys. SB I Craigavon Cowboys 6 Dublin Celts 2
American Football Ireland Division 1
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American Football Ireland Division 1
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American Football Ireland Division 1
football helmet beside football on gray asphalt road Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
AFI 1 Bowl
American Football Ireland 1 Bowls 2014-Present
AFI Division 1 (2020-Present):
2023 Division 1 Bowl: TBC
2022 Division 1 Bowl: Westmeath Minotaurs 16 UL Vikings 13
American Football Ireland 1 Division 2013-Present
IAFA / IAFL 1 Conference (2013-2019):
American Football Ireland Division 2
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American Football Ireland Division 2
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American Football Ireland Division 2
football helmet beside football on gray asphalt road Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
AFI 2 Bowl
American Football Ireland 2 Bowls 2014-Present
American Football Ireland 2 Division 2014-Present
AFI Division 2 (2020-Present):
IAFA / IAFL 2 Conference (2014-2019):
American Football Ireland College
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American Football Ireland College
Football on Field by Jean-Daniel Francouer
American Football Ireland Intervarsity Championship
College Bowl / Intervarsity Championship
American Football Ireland Intervarsity Championship 2006-Present
AFI Kitted Intervarsities (Seasons)
IAFA College Championship (Seasons:):
CUSAI American Football College Bowl (Seasons):
Preseason College Bowls:
American Football Association of Ireland | Trinity Bowl 1992-1995
Irish American Football Overviews
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Irish American Football Season Overviews
Football on Field by Jean-Daniel Francouer
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):
AFAI Senior League Era (1998-2000)
AFAI Irish American Football League Era (1984-1990)
Pre-1984 American Football in Ireland
– Picture Credits: [1] 1920s football action. Thousands of spectators watch from double decker stadium seats. Picture Credit: By Everett Collection [Shutterstock]
Pre-American Football Ireland Leagues
Picture Credits: [1] 1920s football action. Thousands of spectators watch from double decker stadium seats. Picture Credit: By Everett Collection [Shutterstock]
Early Pre-Pads Football Matches (Seasons)
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 44 years.
NIAFA Pre-Pads Unkitted League
A form of Semi-Contact Gridiron Football played before team got the full pads, helmets and kit. Champions: Bangor Buccaneers. Also taking part: Belfast Blitzers, Belfast Spartans, Jordanstown Jaguars and Aldergrove Hawks.
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 between teams based in Ireland – Hale Blue Devils, Yarvard Crimson Tide and Tech Fighting Iris
American Football Ireland Festivals
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American Football Ireland Festivals
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American Football Ireland Festivals (1983-Present)
Football on Field by Jean-Daniel Francouer
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.
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):
AFAI Irish American Football League Festivals & Exhibitions (Seasons):
1989: Bray Seahawks founded and play Friendly season
1988: Newtownards Tournament & Birr Vintage Festival. Antrim A26 Bulldogs founded and play Friendly season.
1987: Jack Daniels Summer Bowl
1986: Jack Daniels Summer Bowl
American Football Ireland Pre-season
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American Football Ireland Preseasons
Football on Field by Jean-Daniel Francouer
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 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.
American Football Ireland All-Star Games
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American Football Ireland All-Star Games
Football on Field by Jean-Daniel Francouer
All Star Games have been a integral part of Irish American Football since the beginning, as in the National Football League.
Irish American Football Teams (Order of Foundation)
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Irish American Football Teams (Overview in Order of Foundation)
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]
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
