Final Standings
| P | W | L | T | PF | PA | Pct | |
| Dublin Tornadoes (C) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 128 | 35 | .833 |
| Carrickfergus Knights (P) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 34 | .750 |
| Lurgan Area Raiders | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 64 | .400 |
| Belfast Spartans | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 119 | .000 |
(C)League Champions (P) Qualify for Playoffs.
Playoff Results
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | ||
| Shamrock Bowl IX | Venue: Newry | |||
| 25.09.1994 | Dublin Tornadoes | 18 | Carrickfergus Knights | 13 |
Week 1 – 21 April 1994 – Belfast Spartans 6 Dublin Tornadoes 15
Belfast Spartans 6 Dublin Tornadoes 15 – The Dublin Tornadoes scored a safety to open the scoring but were soon 6-2 down after the Spartans came back with an unconverted touchdown. It was not until the second half that defending Champions the Tornadoes threw off their ring-rustiness and Brian Dennehy went in for two touchdowns, the second of which was converted to leave the score 15-6 at the final whistle.
| At Belfast | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Dublin Tornadoes | 15 | ||||
| Belfast Spartans | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Half | ||
| TOR | Safety | 2-0 |
| SPA | TD | 2-6 |
| 2nd Half | ||
| TOR | Brian Dennehy TD | 8-6 |
| TOR | Brian Dennehy TD (PAT Good) | 15-6 |
Week 2 – 4 May 1994 – Trinity Bowl – Dublin Tornadoes 45 Belfast Spartans 6
Dublin Tornadoes 45 Belfast Spartans 6 – The third annual Trinity Bowl, saw the Tornadoes maintain their 100% record, with a seven-touchdown 45-6 mauling of the Spartans. Brian Dennehy scored on a 98-yard Kickoff return to open the scoring (the Belfast Telegraph credits this to Darren Cash). Also in the first quarter Gary Morrell ran in from 25 yards and also kicked the Point After to make the score 14-0. The Spartans fought back bravely and despite the effect the heat was having on the team they narrowed the margin when Mark Helferty sneaked in from inside the one yard line to make the score 14-6 after the first quarter. The second quarter was all Dublin Tornadoes as Gary Morrell scored his second and Brian Dennehy also scored, one of which was converted leaving the score 27-6 at half-time. The Spartans defence rallied in the third quarter to keep the Tornadoes out for the entire 15 minutes, but the heat took its toll on the small Belfast squad and Brian Dennehy and Gary Morrell both finished with three touchdowns on the day for a Final Score of 45-6.
| At Trinity College Dublin | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Belfast Spartans | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Dublin Tornadoes | 14 | 13 | 0 | 18 | 45 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| TOR | Darren Cash 80 yd Kickoff Return (Gary Morrell PAT) | 0-7 |
| TOR | Gary Morrell 25 yd Run (Gary Morrell PAT) | 0-14 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| SPA | Mark Helferty 1 yd Run (PAT missed) | 6-14 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| TOR | Gary Morrell TD | 6-20 |
| TOR | Brian Dennehy 45 yd Run | 6-26 |
| TOR | Gary Morrell PAT | 6-27 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 6-27 |
| 4th Quarter | ||
| TOR | Brian Dennehy 21 yd Run | 6-33 |
| TOR | Gary Morrell | 6-39 |
| TOR | Brian Dennehy Run | 6-45 |
Week 3 – 15 May 1994 – Carrickfergus Knights 15 Lurgan Area Raiders 6
Carrickfergus Knights 15 Lurgan Area Raiders 6 – The Carrickfergus Knights and Lurgan Area Raiders played their first games of the season in unseasonal weather. Despite continuous rain the quality of Football was high. The Raiders dominated the first quarter, their hard-nosed running game aided by a dominating offensive line. Running Back John Paul Aitken appeared to find a gap every time thanks to the offensive line of the Raiders, and they threatened to score but mistakes and penalties held them back. The first quarter ended scoreless and in the second quarter penalties hampered the Raiders again as a series of defensive penalties saw the Knights on the Raiders two yard line. Running Back Jack Martin subsequently scored the games first touchdown with 1:27 left in the half. In a rush to make up the deficit Raiders Quarterback Darren Blanton threw a wayward pass which was intercepted by safety Paul Woods and returned to the five yard line. The Raiders defence then gave up two consecutive penalties, leaving the Knights on the one yard line and Jack Martin went in again for his second touchdown of the day. The second half started like the first and there was no surprise when the Raiders scored after a 50 yard drive when John Paul Aitken went in from the one yard line. The Knights offense finally woke up behind Quarterback Stephen McDowell and were again threatening the Raiders goal-line, this time on their own merit. Fumbles became more of a factor as the ball became slippier due to the rain and possession changed hands numerous times before Gerald Graham scored a 27 yard Field Goal with two minutes remaining to put the game beyond Lurgan.
| At Woodburn Rd, Carrickfergus | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Lurgan Area Raiders | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Carrickfergus Knights | 0 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| – | No scoring | 0-0 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| CAR | Jack Martin 2 yd Run (PAT missed) | 6-0 |
| CAR | Jack Martin 1 yd Run (PAT missed) | 12-0 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||
| LAR | Paul Aitken 1 yd Run (PAT missed) | 12-6 |
| 4th Quarter | ||
| CAR | Graham 27 yd FG | 15-6 |
Week 4 – 22 May 1994 – Dublin Tornadoes 6 Carrickfergus Knights 7
Dublin Tornadoes 6 Carrickfergus Knights 7 – Carrickfergus Knights scored the first win over the Dublin Tornadoes in 21 months. The newcomers to the All-Ireland American Football League scored first with a 20 yard Shane Hamilton Touchdown which was converted to make the score 7-0 to the visitors. The Tornadoes did not get into gear until the second quarter, getting within striking distance of the goal-line on four occasions before Gary Morrell atoned for an earlier poor kick when he picked up a fumble a returned it 25 yards to the endzone. Unfortunately for the Tornadoes this was not converted and that proved to be the difference between the teams as there was no further scoring.
| At Civil Service Grounds, Islandbridge | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Carrickfergus Knights | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Dublin Tornadoes | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| CAR | Shane Hamilton 20 yd TD (PAT good) | 0-7 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| TOR | Gary Morrell 25 yd Fumble Return (PAT missed) | 6-7 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||
| – | No scoring | 6-7 |
| 4th Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 6-7 |
Week 5- 29 May 1994 – Belfast Spartans 2 Carrickfergus Knights 26
Belfast Spartans 2 Carrickfergus Knights 26 – Bangor hosted its first American Football game since the Buccaneers folded in 1989, when the Belfast Spartans played Carrickfergus Knights in Week 4. The Spartans were hoping to make up for two defeats to the Dublin Tornadoes and were unfortunate to fall behind in less than two minutes, after a Knights fumble was whistled dead by an official before the Spartans recovered it. The Knights being the team in possession before the ball was whistled dead were then given back the ball and with the Spartans still upset Knights Running Back Richard Woods scored from the three yard line. The Spartans then snapped a punt high over the punter and out the back of the endzone to give the Knights a safety and an 8-0 lead after the first quarter. The game brightened up afterwards and both teams displayed some exciting passing football with Knights Quarterback Stephen McDowell finding Receivers Robert Beggs and Derrick Dempsey and Spartans Quarterback Billy Boyd likewise reaching Gerry McCabe and Sam Bryans. Halfway through the second quarter McDowell rushed for the Knights second touchdown to put them 14-0 up, however Safety Mark Helfety blocked the extra point and returned it all the way back to the Knights endzone for the Spartans first two points of the day. The Knights offence began to show some domination in the second half and two touchdowns from Neil McGookin made the score 26-2. The Knights kept their unbeaten record and the Spartans fell to 0-3.
| At Ward Park, Bangor | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Carrickfergus Knights | 8 | 6 | 26 | ||
| Belfast Spartans | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| CAR | Richard Woods 3 yd Run (PAT missed) | 0-6 |
| CAR | Safety (Punt snapped out of endzone) | 0-8 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| CAR | Stephen McDowell Run (PAT missed) | 0-14 |
| SPA | Mark Helferty Safety (Blocked Punt Return) | 2-14 |
| 2nd Half | ||
| CAR | Neil McGookin TD | 2-20 |
| CAR | Neil McGookin TD | 2-26 |
Week 6 – 8 June 1994 – Dublin Tornadoes 24 Lurgan Area Raiders 2
Dublin Tornadoes 24 Lurgan Area Raiders 2 – In a disappointing game, the Dublin Tornadoes moved to 3-1 with a 24-2 victory over Lurgan Area Raiders. Two first half touchdown receptions for John Durrad and Padraig Reddington from Quarterback Brian Sutton left the Tornadoes 12-0 up at half-time. Sutton had an excellent game and the Tornadoes lead was extended in the third quarter with two TD runs from Brian Dennehy, from 56 yards out on a daring fourth down play and later from the one yard line. The Raiders only score came from Paddy Patterson who blocked an extra point attempt. He had just returned from Scotland where he was trying out for the Scottish Claymores World League of American Football team (NFL Development League in Europe).
| At Civil Service Grounds, Islandbridge | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Lurgan Area Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Dublin Tornadoes | 12 | 0 | 24 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Half | ||
| TOR | John Durrad Pass from Brian Sutton | 6-0 |
| TOR | Padraig Reddington Pass from Brian Sutton | 12-0 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||
| TOR | Brian Dennehy 56 yd Run | 18-0 |
| TOR | Brian Dennehy 1 yd Run | 24-0 |
| 4th Quarter | ||
| LAR | Paddy Patterson Safety (Blocked Punt Return) | 24-2 |
Week 7 – 12 June 1994 – Belfast Spartans 6 Lurgan Area Raiders 13
Belfast Spartans 6 Lurgan Area Raiders 13 – The two winless teams met in Musgrave Park and produced the best game of the season with an offensive display which was anyone’s game until the final whistle. The Raiders scored first nine minutes into the first quarter when Safety Paddy Patterson intercepted the Spartans Quarteback Steve Lennox and returned the pass 65 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good putting the Raiders 7-0 up. The Spartans responded well but failed to score in the first half, instead it was the Raiders who extended their lead with a mix of a strong running game and some excellent passes from Quarterback Paddy Patterson who found an open Receiver to stretch their lead to 13-0. In the second half the Spartans fought back and brought the game back to within one touchdown when Lennox found Mark Helferty from 8 yards out. The only real surprise after that was that no team further added to their tally and game ended 13-7 to the Lurgan Area Raiders.
| At Musgrave Park, Belfast | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Lurgan Area Raiders | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Belfast Spartans | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| LAR | Paddy Patterson 65 yd Int Return (PAT good) | 0-7 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| LAR | ?? 40 yd Pass from Paddy Patterson (PAT missed) | 0-13 |
| 2nd Half | ||
| SPA | Mark Helferty 8 Pass from Scott Lennox (PAT good) | 7-13 |
Week 8 – 2 July 1994 – Lurgan Area Raiders 20 Belfast Spartans 0
Lurgan Area Raiders 20 Belfast Spartans 0 – The Lurgan Area Raiders played host to the Belfast Spartans after the All-Ireland American Football League resumed after its mid-season break when teams from Massachusetts and Minnesota jetted in to play Irish teams. The Raiders had obviously taken a lot of time preparing and there was little for the Officials to do during the first half as neither side had a scoring opportunity nor gave up penalties. The Raiders finally broke the deadlock halfway through the third quarter when John Paul Aitken ran in from 19 yards. The Point After was good and two plays later Quarterback Paddy Patterson scrambled in from 17 yards out to make the score 13-0. The Spartans were a little disillusioned but managed to contain the Raiders offense for much of the rest of the game, however, despite lineman Pete McCabe making a wonderful fumble recovery momentum stayed with the Raiders and Eamonn Creaney went in from four yards out with 1:47 left. There was no further scoring in the final quarter and the Final Score was 20-0 to the Lurgan Area Raiders.
| At Lurgan | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Belfast Spartans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lurgan Area Raiders | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 0-0 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 0-0 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||
| LAR | John Paul Aitken 19 yd Run (PAT good) | 7-0 |
| LAR | Paddy Patterson 17 yd Run (PAT missed) | 13-0 |
| LAR | Eamonn Creaney 4 yd Run (PAT missed) | 20-0 |
| 4th Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 20-0 |
Week 9 – 17 July 1994 – Carrickfergus Knights 7 Dublin Tornadoes 20
Carrickfergus Knights 7 Dublin Tornadoes 20 – Given a boost by a victory over a touring Canadian team the previous weekend, the Dublin Tornadoes ended the Carrickfergus Knights winning streak. The first quarter remained scoreless, but the Tornadoes came out in the second quarter firing and scored two quick touchdowns, a seven yard run by John Durrad and a 30 yard run by Dave Salmon (both given to Brian Dennehy in the Evening Herald). This was the first time the Knights had ever been behind in a game and the question turned to one of how they would cope. Jack Martin pulled the Carrickfergus Knights back to within one touchdown on a 5 yard run in the third quarter. Gerald Graham added the point after to make it 12-7. The Tornadoes held strong, however, and they added a third touchdown in the Final Quarter, when Davy Salmon rushed in from three yards and Brian Dennehy caught the extra point to make it 20-7. (This touchdown and extra point is given to Gary Morrell and Jim Walsh in the Evening Herald). The clock ran out on the Knights, leaving them with their first ever defeat.
| At Woodburn Rd., Carrickfergus | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Dublin Tornadoes | 0 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 20 |
| Carrickfergus Knights | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 0-0 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| TOR | Brian Dennehy 10 yd Run or John Durrad 5 yd Run | 0-6 |
| TOR | Brian Dennehy or Dave Salmon 30 yd Run | 0-12 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||
| CAR | Jack Martin 5 yd Run (Gerald Graham PAT) | 7-12 |
| 4th Quarter | ||
| TOR | Gary Morrel Run (Jim Walsh 2xpt Rec) or Davy Salmon Run (Brian Dennehy 2xpt) | 7-20 |
Week 9 – 17 July 1994 – Lurgan Area Raiders 7 Dublin Tornadoes 18
Lurgan Area Raiders 7 Dublin Tornadoes 18 – In their last regular season match the Dublin Tornadoes needed to win by 10 or more points to finish ahead of Carrickfergus Knights on points difference and capture the league title. John Durrad’s interception followed by a 15 yard run made the score 6-0 at halftime in their favour. They had to wait until the final quarter before adding to this when Fergal Douglas scored an amazing equivalent of an own goal in American Football. The Tornadoes had started a drive after the whistle and had been stopped only two yards from the Raiders line. All they had to do was clear the ball and they were safe, unfortunately for them the quarterback’s pass was deflected off the running back and the defensive end, Fergal Donoghue (Douglas?) scooped the ball up and ran over the line before anyone could realise what had happened. This made the score 12-0 to the Tornadoes. Soon after the Raiders drove downfield, scoring a 10 yard touchdown pass which was converted leaving the score 12-7. The Tornadoes nerves were steadied by the reliable Phil McGowan, who scored from the one yard after a much-interrupted drive up the field. This left the score 18-7 and that was how it ended, just enough for the Tornadoes to claim the league championship. They now met Carrickfergus Knights for the Shamrock Bowl in Newry.
| At Lurgan | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Dublin Tornadoes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 18 |
| Lurgan Area Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| 1st Quarter | ||
| TOR | John Durrad 15 yd Int Return | 0-6 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 0-6 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||
| – | No Scoring | 0-6 |
| 4th Quarter | ||
| TOR | Safety | 0-12 |
| LAR | 10 yd Pass (PAT good) | 7-12 |
| TOR | Phil McGowan 1 yd Run | 7-18 |
Final Standings
| P | W | L | T | PF | PA | Pct | |
| Dublin Tornadoes (C) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 128 | 35 | .833 |
| Carrickfergus Knights (P) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 34 | .750 |
| Lurgan Area Raiders | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 64 | .400 |
| Belfast Spartans | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 119 | .000 |
(C)League Champions (P) Qualify for Playoffs.
Shamrock Bowl IX – 25 September 1994 – Dublin Tornadoes 18 Carrickfergus Knights 13
Dublin Tornadoes 18 Carrickfergus Knights 13 – Quarterback Brian Sutton absorbed most of the punishment as the Tornadoes fought off a fourth quarter Carrickfergus Knights comeback to win the Shamrock Bowl 18-13. It was a bruising encounter from the start, with Sutton staying on his feet and playing out the entire game. MVP went to Sutton. Phil Woodyard celebrated his 13th year in the game and Joe Clarke and Alan O’Brien also making valuable contributions. The Tornadoes touchdowns came from Brian Dennehy (47 and 12 yard runs) and Alan Burns (1 yard run).
| At Newry | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
| Carrickfergus Knights | 13 | ||||
| Dublin Tornadoes | 18 |
| Team | Scorers | Score |
| TOR | Brian Dennehy 47 yd Run | 6-0 |
| TOR | Brian Dennehy 12 yd Run | 12-0 |
| TOR | Alan Burns 1 yd Run | 18-0 |
Shamrock Bowl Venue – Newry Rugby Club, Co. Down.
Images
[1] Dublin Tornadoes (1995) Timmy Tornado Logo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19961115063729im_/http://fiachra.ucd.ie:80/~alan/Icons/American/timmy.gif [Accessed 3 July 2018]
Newspapers
[2] Colin Hubbuck (1994) “Irish Tragedy: Offensive Boss Curran dies hours after national trials” First Down. November 5, 1994. pg. 22
[2] Carrickfergus Knights (1994) Knights American Football Club Carrickfergus Shamrock Bowl Programme. Belfast. Aldine Print
[3] Anon. (1994) Dublin Clinch Crown. First Down. 8 October1994. p. 22
[4] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 16 July 1994. p. 19
[5] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 9 July 1994. p. 19
[6] Anon. (1994) Lurgan Blank Belfast. First Down. 9 July 1994. p. 20
[7] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 2 July 1994. p. 19
[8] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 18 June 1994. p. 19
[9] Anon. (1994) Full Round-Up of BAFA’s Divisions Two and Three. First Down. 7 May 1994. pg. 21
[10] Anon. (1994) Chicago Knights maintain challenge. Carrick Times. 6 June 1994. pg. 60
[11] Naughton, L. (1994) Tornadoes hit!. Evening Herald. Thursday, 21 April 1994 . pg. 54
[12] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 5 May 1994 . pg. 91
[13] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 26 May 1994 . pg. 68
[14] Naughton, L. (1994) Tornadoes turn up the power. Evening Herald. Thursday, 28 July 1994. pg. 55
[15] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 11 August 1994. pg. 44
[16] Naughton, L. (1994) Tornadoes blow Knights away!. Evening Herald. Thursday, 25 August 1994. pg. 50
[17] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 22 September 1994. pg.78
[18] Naughton, L. (1994) US Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 29 September 1994. pg.58
[19] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, April 27, 1994 pg. 29 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[20] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, May 11, 1994 pg. 25 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[21] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, May 18, 1994 pg. 29 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[22] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, June 8, 1994 pg. 25 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[23] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, June 15, 1994 pg. 27 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[24] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, July 6, 1994 pg. 25 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[25] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, July 20, 1994 pg. 23 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[26] Naughton, Lindie (1994) “US Football” Evening Herald. Thurrsday, January 6, 1994. pg. 51.
Websites
[26] Irish American Football Association (2007) History | Celts v Tornadoes 1994 [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl//images/teamphotos/hist4.gif [accessed 18 May 2020][Adjusted]
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith, Michael Brophy and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association.
About this document
Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the
Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive
Last Updated: 24 April 2021
(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2021
You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.