Irish American Football League

Infobox sports league
logo=
pixels=1987
sport=American football
founded=2001
teams=9
singles=
country=IRL NIR
champion=University of Limerick Vikings
website= [http://www.irish-american-football.org/]

The Irish American Football League (IAFL) is a fully-kitted American football league in Ireland. Founded in 1984, it consists of 9 teams, with 2 having joined the league in 2007. The league generally runs from March through to August, ending with two teams competing for the Shamrock Bowl. The University of Limerick Vikings are the current champions winning Shamrock Bowl XXII

Shamrock Bowl

The Shamrock Bowl is Ireland's championship game of the IAFL. The first Shamrock Bowl game was played in 1986 between the Craigavon Cowboys and the Dublin Celts

(Information on Shamrock Bowl XXII)

History

After retaining their title in 1988 (with a 34-6 victory against the Belfast Blitzers in Shamrock Bowl III), the Celts again qualified for the EuroBowl.

This time they would have to face the British Champions, the Birmingham Bulls. The Bulls won 29-3 at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

In 1989, most of the Irish teams played in the British based Combined Gridiron League (CGL), playing in Irish conferences, but with the winners qualifying for the UK playoffs. The Dublin Celts won the Irish Conference of the Premier Division (Duke), and then narrowly lost 18-13 to the Manchester Heroes in the quarterfinals. The Antrim Bulldogs had greater success in the First Division (Baron). Having won their conference, they trashed the Furness Phantoms 34-6 in the quarterfinals and then lost to the Severn Valley Warlords in the semifinals. The Celts took the IAFL title for the 3rd straight year and won Shamrock Bowl IV. In 1990 the Dublin Celts recorded their first victory in the EuroBowl. They hosted the Barcelona Boxers in the first round and won 30-0. They then hosted British Champions, the Manchester Spartans and put in a great performance before eventually going down 28-12. The Antrim Bulldogs won the IAFL in 1990, but lost to the Craigavon Cowboys in Shamrock Bowl V.

The Dublin Celts did not contest the IAFL in 1990, instead opting to play in the fledgling NCMMA. In 1991, the Craigavon Cowboys hosted Belgian Champions, the Brussels Raiders in the EuroBowl, but lost 16-6. The Dublin Celts returned to the IAFL, going undefeated and winning the their fourth Shamrock Bowl with a 44-0 victory against the Craigavon Cowboys.

(List of IAFL rivalries)

1992

In 1992, the Dublin Celts again travelled to Birmingham to play the Bulls in the EuroBowl. Two late touchdowns from the Bulls sealed a 20-0 victory. The Craigavon Cowboys won Shamrock Bowl VI, defeating the Antrim Bulldogs in the final. The first ever American football game played in College Park, part of Trinity College Dublin's historic city centre campus also took place in 1992. The Dublin Tornadoes defeated the Antrim Bulldogs, courtesy of a last minute field goal, in this game which was played as part of the college's 400th anniversary celebrations.

1993

In 1993, a new force emerged in Irish American football. Coach Dave Curran, who previously coached the Celts, guided the Dublin Tornadoes to their first league title. The Tornadoes defeated the Celts in Shamrock Bowl VII - the first Shamrock Bowl final contested between 2 Dublin teams.

1994

In 1994, the Tornadoes went undefeated in the IAFL and beat the Carrickfergus Knights in Shamrock Bowl VIII which was played in Newry, Co. Down.

1995

In 1995, the Tornadoes again went unbeaten in the IAFL and again defeated the Carrickfergus Knights in the Shamrock Bowl - this time played in Dublin.

1995 also saw the formation of the Irish National Team. Ireland were defeated 22-0 by Great Britain in their first ever International, played at Saffron Lane, Leicester.

Dublin Lightning, who were only formed in 1995, became the first "new" team to win the Shamrock Bowl in 1996 - all previous Shamrock Bowls had been won by founder members of the IAFL. Irish National Team quarterback, Eddie Goggins led them to a 26-8 victory over the Dublin Tornadoes 26-8 at St. Mary's RFC in Dublin.

1997

In 1997, most of the teams joined the newly formed AFAI Senior League. Over the next 2 to 3 years a lot of teams dropped out of league football.

1998

The Carrickfergus Knights defeated the Dublin Bulls in Shamrock Bowl XIII, which was played in Belfast. The Knights, who by now were the strongest team in Ireland, won the Shamrock Bowl again in 1998, defeating the Dublin Tigers.

1999

In 1999, only 3 teams played competitive football. The Dublin Tigers defeated the Carrickfergus Knights in a very evenly matched Shamrock Bowl XIV. The AFAI Senior League ceased operations after the 1999 season.

2000 - 2007

During 2000, plans were made to resurrect the IAFL. The only fixture to be played in Ireland that year was an Irish selection against a visiting high school team - Mount St. Josephs from Maryland USA. In 2001, the Carrickfergus Knights, Dublin Dragons, Dublin Rebels and University of Limerick Vikings played a full league season of football. The Dublin Rebels defeated the Carrickfergus Knights in Shamrock Bowl XV, which was played in Carrickfergus.

All 4 teams participated in the reformation of the Irish American Football League (IAFL). A new league structure and administration was put in place and the IAFL helped form the Irish American Football Association (IAFA) - the new national governing body for the sport. During 2002, the sport found a new lease of life in Ireland. Again, 4 teams contested the league with the Carrickfergus Knights defeating the UL Vikings in Shamrock Bowl XVI. However, during the course of the year there were some significant developments. Firstly, 3 development teams applied to join the league for 2003. Secondly, an Irish team won an International club competition for the first time ever. In June, the Dublin Rebels travelled to Belgium and won the Charleroi Trophy against the Charleroi Cougars and two French teams - Reims Champs and Forbach Taupes. The season finished on a high note with the visit of Team Canada, the Canadian U21 team. The Carrickfergus Knights played Team Canada in Dublin and performed well in a 34-6 defeat.

2003 turned out to be one of the best ever years for Irish American football. 3 more teams - Cork, Belfast & Craigavon joined the IAFL bringing the total up to 7. The Carrickfergus Knights, Cork Admirals, Dublin Dragons and Dublin Rebels played in Division 1. The Belfast Bulls, Craigavon Cowboys and UL Vikings played in Division 2 which was created to help development teams get competitive game experience.

Membership in the IAFL increased significantly and the standard of play was higher than in previous years. In June 2003, the Dublin Rebels returned to Belgium to defend their Charleroi Trophy title. They were joined in Belgium by the Carrickfergus Knights. The Rebels won the Charleroi Trophy, defeating local team, the Charleroi Cougars in the Tournament final. The Knights came 3rd, ahead of French team, Celtes de Mitry.

The knights finished first in the league to qualify for the Shamrock Bowl. The Rebels beat the Cork Admirals in the semi-final and then defeated the Knights 24-12 in a spectacular Shamrock Bowl XVII, played at Suttonians RFC in Dublin. The game attracted a large crowd and some media attention - highlights were broadcast on TV3 in Ireland and Sky Sports throughout Europe. The Belfast Bulls won the Division 2 title. The season finished with the first ever IAFL Allstar game in which the North defeated the South 7-0.

During the 2003/2004 off-season, Coach Phil DeMonte (ex-Oxford University Cavaliers) was appointed as the Head Coach of the Irish National Team and IAFL Allstars. Coach DeMonte will also help with the education of coaches throughout Ireland. 2004 promised to be the best season ever for Irish American football both on and off the field and did not fail to deliver. 6 teams played a full competitive league schedule and the standard of play was higher than at any time in the previous 10 years. IAFL membership reached an all time high of more than 300 registered players. All teams had bigger rosters and most of the rookies were in the 17-21 age group. The Dublin Rebels defeated the Carrickfergus Knights 24-22 in Shamrock Bowl XVIII. The game, which attracted a record attendance for an IAFL game, is regarded as the best ever Shamrock Bowl. 2004 also saw the return of the Ireland team. The team played two fixtures including the inaugural Celtic Classic against John Carroll University from Ohio, USA.

In 2005 the same six teams competed for the Shamrock Bowl. Again the Rebels ran out victorious with a tough fought win against the Belfast Bulls in the big game.The 2006 season saw the addition of new teams the DCU Saints and Dublin Marshals to the IAFL making the total number of competing teams, 8, the highest it had been in many years. The UL Vikings faced the Rebels in the Bowl game, which the Rebels won, making it their fourth consecutive Shamrock Bowl win.

The 2007 season was contested by nine teams, following the addition of the Belfast Trojans and the Tallaght Outlaws to the league. The 2007 Shamrock Bowl was won by UL Vikings.

The IAFL will hold its first Irish Coaching Convention - September 12-14th - will include Level 1 & Level 2 Certification Courses.For more go to irishamericanfootball.org

Established teams

* Belfast Bulls
* Belfast Trojans
* Carrickfergus Knights
* Cork Admirals
* Dublin City University Saints
* Dublin Rebels
* Dublin Dragons
* Tallaght Outlaws
* University of Limerick Vikings

Development teams

* Craigavon Cowboys

* South East Strongbows
* Edenderry Soldiers
* UCD
* Maynooth Mustangs
* Trinity Thunderbolts
* Dublin City Rhinos

Format

In 2007, to cope with the growing number of teams, a divisional format was introduced to replace the old league format. In it, the existing teams were divided into three divisions, Northern, Central and Southern, three teams in each. The idea of the divisional format is that any new teams, such as the up-coming development teams, will easily fit into the divisional format without dramatically increasing the length of the season, which currently runs from February/March to Early August. The top team from each division all go into the play-offs and the two second placed team with the highest amounts of points playing a wildcard game for the 4th spot. The winners of the playoffs battle it out for the Shamrock Bowl.

Southern Division

For more information on the 2008 IAFL season, see IAFL 2008 Season

External links

* [http://www.irish-american-football.org/ IAFL Official Website]