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]
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
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 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):
NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League (Kitted – Preseasons):
Junior / Youth Kitted Box-Scores
Youth Internationals (Club):
UK & Ireland Youth Kitted Football | Exhibition 1998 Box Score
Picture Credit: [2] Irish American Football Association | Facebook (2019) Photo, October 20, 2019: “Congratulations to Cork Admirals American Football Club who are this years IAFA Youth Champions after defeating the Belfast Knights 44-7 in the final! “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/iafaireland/photos/pcb.2768526973181185/2768526746514541/?type=3&theater [Accessed 21 October 2019]
![Prospect Pumas Two-Touch Junior American Football Team 1986[Picture Credit: Andrew Wilson]](https://i2.wp.com/eirball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Prospect-Pumas-Two-Touch-Team-1986-cropped-resized.jpg?resize=504%2C367&ssl=1)
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
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¬if_id=1612882525056885¬if_t=feed_comment&ref=notif [Accessed 11 February 2021]
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
Picture Credit: [3] Andrew Wilson (2021) Reply to Eirball Facebook Post, March 27, 2020 “this is a very early publicity photo (pre kit) taken in 1986, I think.” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219341931087529&set=p.10219341931087529&type=3&av=2226857640959926&eav=AfZG4VnfE0tNSFTwa-nyACGq3CrmStfgyhPu8_I0C1E4keYcOz_YZe5FHtJXGznrua2a22r7OV1hILGkeHYHClQT [Accessed 11 February 2021]
DV8 Development League / Blitzes
IAFA DV8 Development League 2008-2012; IAFA Mini-League 1993; IAFA Blitzes and Challenge Games 1994-2012.
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 / 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 2010 2008 2007
Spring & Autumn League Era Division 2 Leagues, Blitzes and Challenges:
AFAI Development Mini-League: 1993
Picture Credit:
[4] Drogheda Lightning (2011) dsc00574 “David Murray carries the ball for the Lightning the last time the teams met in Tullamore.” [Internet] Available from: https://boltsinblue.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/dsc00574.jpg [Accessed 21 January 2019]
Early Pre-Pads American Football
Pick-Up Games and Challenge Games 1983-1986
Beginning with a match in Banbridge between two teams of specially trained Rugby players for American Indeendence 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 Football Matches Results
Early Pre-Pads Football Matches (Seasons): 19851983
Picture Credit: Modern Day American 7s Football League [5] A7FL Facebook (2020) Photo, August 22, 2020 [Internet] Available from: https://i0.wp.com/www.a7fl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/A7FLBackInMotionFINAL.png?resize=294%2C300&ssl=1 [Accessed 12 September 2020]
