Featured Image: Photo by Enda Mulcahy of American Football Ireland Mini-Helmets for Eirball.ie
Welcome to the Eirball – Irish, North American & World Sports Archives.
Irish American Football
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] Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com [4] Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com
American Football Ireland Premier Era
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)
Shamrock Bowl XXXV: TBC
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
American Football Ireland Shamrock Bowls 1986-Present
Shamrock Bowl Conference / Premier Season Results
AFI Premier Division (2020-Present): 2020
Picture Credits: [1] Photo by Lucas Andrade on Pexels.com
[2] Photo by Jon on Pexels.com
Irish American Football Association Era
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
IAFL Spring & Autumn League Era (Box-Scores & Match Reports):
Shamrock Bowl Conference / Irish American Football League Final Standings by Era and Results by Year 1998-2019
IAFA/IAFL Shamrock Bowl Conference (2013-2019):
Irish American Football League Shamrock Bowl Conference 2013-2019
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
IAFA Irish American Football League (2006-2012):
Irish American Football Association Irish American Football League 2006-2012
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Autumn and Spring League Era (1998-2005):
Irish American Football League Winter and Spring League Era 1997-2005
2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 1999 1998
Image Credits: [1] Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
[2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
American Football Association of Ireland Era
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
American Football Association of Ireland 1984-1997
AFAI All-Ireland American Football League (Box-Scores & Match Reports):
AFAI Irish American Football League Early 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.
1987: First Full Season – Addition of Belfast Spartans, Bangor Buccaneers, Jordanstown Jaguars, Belfast Giants, Dublin Tornadoes and East Side Jets. SBII Dublin Celts 43 Craigavon Cowboys 25
1986: First Season: 5 teams – Dublin Celts, Coleraine Chieftains, Belfast Blitzers, Carrickfergus Cougars and Craigavon Cowboys.SBI Craigavon Cowboys 6 Dublin Celts 2
Irish American Football League Overviews
Final Standings by Era and Results by Year 1983-1997
AFAI All-Ireland AFL (1991-1997):
All-Ireland American Football League 1990-1996
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
Irish League and Conference Era (1984-1990):
Irish American Football League 1983-1989
1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984
Picture Credits: [1] Photo by Cos Marc on Pexels.com
[2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
American Football Ireland Division 1 and 2
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.
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):
Irish American Football League | 1 Conference 2013-2019
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
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):
Irish American Football League | 2 Conference 2014-2019
Picture Credits: [1] Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com
[2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
American Football Ireland College
American Football Ireland College
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
Pitcure Credits: [2] Photo by football wife on Pexels.com
Irish American Football Overviews
Final Tables and International Results in Irish American Football & Flag Football Organised on a Season-by-Season Basis:
Irish American Football Season Overviews
AFAI Era (1990-1997); Spring & Autumn League Era (1998-2005
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: [2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
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 44 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 between teams based in Ireland – Hale Blue Devils, Yarvard Crimson Tide and Tech Fighting Irish
Picture Credits: [1] 1920s football action. Thousands of spectators watch from double decker stadium seats. Picture Credit: By Everett Collection[Shutterstock]
American Football Ireland Festivals
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):
1987: Jack Daniels Summer Bowl
1986: Jack Daniels Summer Bowl
Picture Credits: [1] Photo by football wife on Pexels.com
[2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
American Football Ireland Pre-season
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: [1] Photo by Sean P. Twomey on Pexels.com
[2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
American Football Ireland All-Star Games
All Star Games have been a integral part of Irish American Football since the beginning, as in the National Football League.
American Football Ireland All-Star Games
The Results of the IAFL All-Star Games 1986-Present
Irish American Football League All-Star Games 1986-Present
Picture Credit: [1] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
[2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
North American and World American Football
Eirball.ie American Football and Gridiron Football
American Football Ireland (American Football, Youth League, 8v8 Leagues, Flag Football, Internationals, Team Histories, Box-Scores and Team Rosters), Football USA (NFL, Alternatives Leagues (AFLs, XFLs, USFLs, WFLs, Spring Leagues, Failed Leagues) NCAA College Football, Minor Football Leagues, Semi-Pro State Football, High School Football, Armed Forces Football), Canadian Football (CFL, Canadian Junior Football League, Canadian University Football, Provincial Leagues), Arena Indoor Football (Arena Indoor Football USA, LEXFA Mexico, Super 8 Football League Baja-California-Nevada-Texas, World Arena Leagues), World American Football (American Football World Cup, Internationals, American Teams Overseas, European Leagues (Professional European League of Football, National, Regional and State Leagues), Mexico Leagues (LFA Mexico, FAM 2nd Division, ONEFA Public Universities, CONADEIP Private Universities, State Leagues), Japan Leagues (Japan X-League Social League, University Leagues, JPFF Japan Private Football League), World Leagues (Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia & CIS, South America, Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia, Indian Subcontinent, China and South East Asia) Women’s American Football (WFA, Legends Leagues, European, Canadian Women’s Football) Flag Football (Major World Flag Football Tournaments)
Picture Credit: www.shutterstock.com
Irish American Football
All Irish American Football – 11v11 Adult Leagues; 8v8 Youth and Development Leagues; Flag Football Leagues and Blitzes; International American Football (Ireland and Irish Club Teams in Europe and versus North American Teams; USA College and NFL Games in Ireland); Irish American Football Teams; Irish-born Professional American and Canadian Players, Coaches and Officials; Irish American Football Records and Yearbooks.
American Football Ireland 11v11
American Football Ireland Leagues Schedule, Standings and Match Reports 1986-Present
American Football Ireland 11v11 Team Rosters, Results and Match Reports, 1942-Present (including teams playing pre-AFI and College Championship)
American Football Ireland 8v8
All Irish 8v8 American Football: American Football Ireland, ECJFA and NIJAL Youth Leagues, DV8 Development League, International 8v8 American Football, Irish 8v8 American Football Teams: Youth League Teams, Two Touch Teams; Smaller Towns and 2nds Dvelopment Teams.
American Football Ireland, ECJFA and NIJAL Youth Leagues, DV8 Development League Schedules, Standings and Match Reports 1987-Present
American Football Ireland Youth Leagues; NIJAL and ECJFA Two Touch Football Leagues
DV8 Development League, DV8 Mini-League; Early Pre-Pads American Football.
Youth League, Two Touch, Development League, 2nds Teams.
American Football Ireland Flag
Schools, Colleges, Junior Flag Football Schedules and Standings
American Football: American Football
Irish American Football:
Ireland International American Football
Irish American Football Players, Coaches & Officials
Irish American Football Records
American Football Ireland Yearbooks
Irish Flag Football
Picture Credit: www.shutterstock.com
USA American Football History
Football USA
Currently incomplete record of National Football League 1920-Present, with a special focus on Irish-born players.
XFL and Spring Football Leagues Era (1999-Present)
Spring Football League (2000), XFL (2001), United Football League (2009-2011), Stars Football League (2011-2013), Fall Xperimental Football League (2014-2015), The Spring League (2017-2020), Alliance of American Football (2019), XFL 2.0 (2020)
United States Football Leagues Era (1960-1985)
United Football League (1960-1964), Continental Football League (1965-1969), Southwest Professional Football League (1972-1973), World Football League (1974-1975), American Football Association (1977-1983), United States Football League (1983-1985)
American Football Leagues Era (1920-1959)
American Football League (1926); California Winter League (1927-1928); American Football Leagues (1934; 1936-1937; 1938-1939; 1940-1941; 1944); All-American Football Conference (1946-1949); Pacific Coast Football League (1940-1948)
Early Gridiron Football (1893-1919)
Western Pennsylvania Professional Football Circuit (1893-1901); National Football League (1902); World Series of Professional Football (1902-1903); Ohio League (1905-1919).
Small section devoted to Irish-born NCAA College Football Players in USA.
Regional Leagues: Eastern: Eastern Football League and Anthracite Football League (1920s), American Football Association (1930s), American Football League (1940s) Midwestern: Midwestern Football League (1930s), United Football League (1960s). Southern: Dixie Football League (1930s), Gridiron Developmental Football League (2010s). Western: Pacific Coast Football League (1920s, 1930s, 1940s), California Football League (1930s), Southwestern Football League (1970s)
New York-Penn: New York Metropolitan, Pennsylvania, Eastern Midwest: Ohio, Indiana,Western Midwest: Southern Plains (Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota), Upper South: Kentucky, Virginia-Carolina, Texas & Southwest: Sevenman Tackle, Mountain West: Montana, Pacific Northwest: Orgeon & Washington, California: Pacific Coast, Pacific & SoCal-Baja: Alaska, Super 8,
Small section devoted to Irish-born High School Players in USA and teams named Fighting Irish etc or with some other links to Ireland.
A small section with European Theater of Operations Football Teams in Northern Ireland 1942-1944, as well as Bowl Games and a few season results for American Expeditionary Force Football League (WWI), European Theater of Operations Football League (WWII), United States Air Force in Europe Football League (USAFEFL) and US Army in Japan (2009)
Rival Leagues to NFL which failed to even start, including team names and other details.
Professional American Football Team Timelines and American Football Ireland Team Timelines.
Picture Credit: www.shutterstock.com
World American Football History
Mexico
American Football in Mexico is the oldest in the World outside USA and Canada with the game first played in 1896. Since 1933 the University Championship has been played and the Mexica Bowl is the highlight of the Professional Calendar (played for by the Liga de Futbol Americano since 2016). The Aztec Bowl between the College All-Stars and a US College is the highlight each year.
Japan
JAFA Japan American Football Association governs the highest levels of the sport in Japan. Japan was introduced to American Football in the 1930s. The Rice Bowl (Japan Super Bowl) has been played since 1947, originally between the top two University All-Star Teams (East v West) and from 1980-2020 between the Social Champions (X-League) and University Champions. The Rice Bowl is now played solely between X-League teams since 2021. This page includes Bowl Game Results for Rice Bowl, X-League and University Bowl Games. Also included are the Regional Leagues organised by the JPFF (Japan Private Football Association)
Europe
American Football was introduced to Europe during WWI and WWII and was played by US Armed Forces during the Cold War. the first attempts at creating a Professional League began in the 1970s. The first European teams were formed in the 1970s also, such as Gladiatori Roma (1973) and Dusseldorf Panther (1979). The Eurobowl for European National League Champions was first played in 1986 and the European League of Football since 2021 is the latest attempt at a Professional League.
Oceania (Pacific)
Following a few Military Bowls in Pacific Islands in the 1940s, Australia and New Zealand were introduced to the Sport in the 1980s. There are leagues in every Australian State and the Australian Capital Territory and in Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand.
Russia and C.I.S
Following a failed attempt by an Irish-American to introduce American Football to the USSR, Russia and Eastern Europe were introduced to American Football in the 1990s following the fall of Communism.
Korea and the Rest of Asia
Korea was introduced to American Football in the 1950s and more recently in the 2000s China, India, Middle East and South East Asia.
Africa
Egypt has played American Football since the 2010s and Morocco played its first season in 2019. There is Flag Football in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Tunisia.
World American Football
Regions covered: World Professional American Football Leagues, Mexico, Japan, Europe, Oceania, Kontinental, Asia, Latin America, Africa.
Leagues Covered: World League of American Football, American Football League of Europe, National Football League Europe, United Football League, Lingerie Football League Canada, Legends Football League Australia, Pretty Girls Football League Mexico, China Arena Football League, East European Super League, European League of Football, Yearly Final Standings of CFL, JXL, ELF, LFA
Leagues Covered: Aztec Bowl (Mexico v USA College), Liga de Futbol Americano (Professional), Minor Mexican Professional Football Leagues, Mexico v USA College Bowls, ONEFA College Football, CONADEIP Private Tech College Football, State Football Leagues.
Leagues Covered: JAFA X-League (Rice Bowl), JPFF Japan Private Football Federation, Hokkaido Adult Football Association; College Football: Koshien Bowl, Kansai, Kanto, Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kyushu, Tokai, Chushikoku and Hokuriku Regions.
Leagues Covered: European League of Football (2021), National Football League Europe / World League of American Football (1991-2007), East European Super League (2019), Central European Football League (2006-2019), American Football League of Europe (1994-1995), UK Conference / European Conference (1993), Intercontinental Football League (1973-1978), Eurobowl (1986-Present), European Championships (1983-Present), Regional European Leagues (Scandinavian Cup, Northern European Football League, Atlantic Cup, Charleroi Trophy, Four Nations Bowl),
National Leagues: United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Galicia, France, Spain, Catalonia, Italy, Alpe-Adria, Switzerland, Austria, BeNeLux Big 5, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Balkan Leagues, Romania, Bulgaria.
Where possible Irish-born players have been found.
Australia and New Zealand Leagues 1983-Present. Where possible Irish connections have been included.
Leagues Covered: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Central Asian American Football Leagues (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tatarstan). Irish connections have been included where possible.
Leagues Covered: Korea, China, India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, UAE, Israel, Flag Football: Malaysia, Thialand, Philippines.
Leagues Covered: Guatemala, Brazilian State Leagues, Argentina
Leagues Covered: Egypt, Morocco Contact Football Leagues
Picture Credit: www.shutterstock.com
North American Football History
Canada
Canadian Football claims a heritage even older than in USA, with the 1850s claimed for a game in the University of Toronto. The Toronto Argonauts are the oldest Professional Gridiron Football team in the World, being formed in 1873. The Grey Cup (Canadian Super Bowl) has been played since 1909, and has been in sole ownership of the Canadian Football League (CFL) since 1958 when it broke away from the Canadian Rugby Union (now Football Canada) which governs the Sport in Canada.
Arena Indoor Football
An 8-a-side Indoor version of American Gridirion Football, the Arena Football League being the first, launched in 1985, and eventually folding in 2019. The 8v8 version of the game is even more popular in Mexico than USA and there are more teams in Mexico than the United States with LEXFA having 5 levels of play as well as a Women’s League.
North American & Women’s Football
NFL v Other Professional Leagues 1920s-1960s, Canadian Football League Internationals, Intercontinental Football League (Minor League and College Championships in Europe 1970s), NFL American Bowls and International Series 1980s-Present, Irish Teams v North American Teams. American Football World Cup 1999-2011.
Leagues Covered: Canadian Football League; Canadian Junior Football League; U Sport Canada; Provincial Leagues – Schedules and Standings with a special focus on Irish-born players or team with Irish names.
Leagues Covered: Liga Extrema de Futbol Americano Mexico (LEXFA); Super 8 Football League (S8FL); Arena Football League (AFL); Indoor Football League (IFL); National Arena League (NAL); American Arena League (AAL); Champions Indoor Football (CIF); American West Football Conference (AWFC); China Arena Football League (CAFL); Fan Controlled Football (FCF); plus over a dozen other leagues.
Leagues Covered: Women’s Football Alliance (USA), Legends Football League (USA, Canada & Australia), Pretty Girls Football League (Mexico), Ladies Football Leagues (Mexico, 8v8), Femenil (Mexico), Sapphire Series (Britain), Queen’s Football League (Netherlands), Naiset League (Finland).
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