American Football Association of Ireland | All Ireland American Football League 1992 | Box Scores & Match Reports

League Table

  P W L T PF PA Pct
Mourne Conference              
*Craigavon Cowboys 5 4 1 0 124 18 .800
*Antrim Bulldogs 6 4 2 0 127 16 .667
Belfast Spartans 6 4 2 0 105 59 .667
Tara Conference              
*Dublin Tornadoes 6 4 2 0 81 49 .667
*Dublin Celts 6 3 3 0 77 57 .500
Drogheda Vikings 5 1 4 0 15 135 .200
Lee Valley Steelers 6 0 6 0 0 195 .000

 

Playoff Results

Date Home Team   Away Team  
  Semi-Finals      
13.09.92 Dublin Tornadoes 6 Antrim Bulldogs 19
13.09.92 Craigavon Cowboys 10 Dublin Celts 6
  Shamrock Bowl VII      
20.09.92 Craigavon Cowboys 14 Antrim Bulldogs 6

[15][17][18]

 

Regular Season Results

Date Home Team   Away Team  
 
Week 1
     
  Antrim Bulldogs 6 Dublin Celts 0
  Belfast Spartans 16 Dublin Tornadoes 13
  Week 2      
  Antrim Bulldogs 60 Lee Valley Steelers 0
  Week 3      
05.07.92 Dublin Tornadoes 22 Dublin Celts 0
05.07.92 Craigavon Cowboys 14 Belfast Spartans 0
  Week 4      
12.07.92 Dublin Tornadoes 22 Lee Valley Steelers 0
  Week 5      
19.07.92 Belfast Spartans 13 Dublin Celts 12
19.07.92 Craigavon Cowboys 26 Dublin Tornadoes 0
  Week 6      
26.07.92 Dublin Celts 18 Craigavon Cowboys 16
26.07.92 Antrim Bulldogs 50 Drogheda Vikings 0
  Week 7      
02.08.92 Belfast Spartans 50 Drogheda Vikings 9
  Week 8      
09.08.92 Lee Valley Steelers 0 Craigavon Cowboys 60
09.08.92 Drogheda Vikings 0 Dublin Celts 19
  Week 9      
16.08.92 Drogheda Vikings 0 Dublin Tornadoes 16
16.08.92 Dublin Celts 21 Lee Valley Steelers 0
  Week 10      
23.08.92 Dublin Tornadoes 8 Antrim Bulldogs 0
23.08.92 Belfast Spartans 18 Lee Valley Steelers 0
  Week 12      
06.09.92 Antrim Bulldogs 11 Belfast Spartans 8
  Week ??      
  Craigavon Cowboys W Antrim Bulldogs L

 

Report

 

 

 

Week 1: 23 June 1992

Antrim Bulldogs 6 Dublin Celts 0 – The Dublin Celts lost to Irish opposition for the first time in five years as they were shocked by the Antrim Bulldogs, who were now installed as favourites to win the Shamrock Bowl.[1]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Antrim Bulldogs         6
Dublin Celts         0
Scorers Score
ANT – TD 6-0

 

Week 2: 30 June 1992

Belfast Spartans 16 Dublin Tornadoes 13 – The Spartans set an Irish record by coming from 13-0 down to defeat the Tornadoes and make it a week 1 double for northern sides over southern teams. The Tornadoes had a chance to tie the game as time expired but a field goal attempt fell short.[1]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Belfast Spartans         16
Dublin Tornadoes         13
Scorers Score
TOR –   
TOR –  0-13 
BEL –   
BEL –   
BEL –  16-13

 

Antrim Bulldogs 60 Lee Valley Steelers 0 – Antrim Bulldogs, with a win over the Dublin Celts under their belt, easily beat Lee Valley Steelers from Cork 60-0. Despite lots of possession for Running Back Mark Tataro and Alan Rice & John McNamara, the Steelers couldn’t convert their chances, in what was their first ever game.[2]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Antrim Bulldogs         60
Lee Valley Steelers         0
Scorers Score
   

 

Week 3: 6 July 1992

Dublin Tornadoes 22 Dublin Celts 7 – A “brusing encounter” between the Dublin rivals, which saw only one person ejected from play, ended in a victory for the Tallaght-based Tornadoes. Vinnie Clark scored one TD, QB Martin Dillon scored a spectacular touchdown from 20 yards, and Phil McGowan added a third TD for the Tornadoes. Brendan Fox added a Field-Goal and Extra Point as the Celts could only manage one TD in reply.[3][4]

At Tallaght Rugby Club Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Tornadoes         22
Dublin Celts         7
Scorers Score
TOR – Vinne Clark, TD Run  
TOR – Martin Dillon 20 yd TD Run  
TOR – Phil McGowan  
TOR – Brendan Fox FG  
TOR – Brendan Fox XP  
CEL – TD  

 

Craigavon Cowboys 14 Belfast Spartans 0 – The Cowboys started their season with a win over the previously unbeaten Spartans.[3]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Craigavon Cowboys         14
Belfast Spartans         0
Scorers Score
   

 

Week 4: 13 July 1992

Lee Valley Steelers 0 Dublin Tornadoes 22 – Gary Morrell scored two touchdowns, and Vinnie O’Connell added another while the defence scored a safety by Mark Kearns as the Tornadoes defeated a much-improved Cork side.[5]

At Cork Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Lee Valley Steelers         0
Dublin Tornadoes         22
Scorers Score
TOR – Gary Morrell TD  
TOR – Gary Morrell TD  
TOR – Vinnie O’Connell TD  
TOR – Mark Kearns – Safety  

 

Week 5: 20 July 1992

Dublin Celts 12 Belfast Spartans 13 – The defending champions Dublin Celts slumped to their third straight defeat of the season against Belfast.[6]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Celts         12
Belfast Spartans         13
Scorers Score
   

 

Dublin Tornadoes 0 Craigavon Cowboys 26 – Another northern double over southern sides in week 5 as the Cowboys were comfortable winners over the Tornadoes.[6]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Tornadoes         0
Craigavon Cowboys         26
Scorers Score
   

 

Week 6: 27 July 1992

Dublin Celts 18 Craigavon Cowboys 16 – In a close encounter the Dublin Celts finally won a game in 1992 after a last-second field goal attempt by Craigavon was missed.[7]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Celts         18
Craigavon Cowboys         16
Scorers Score
   

 

Antrim Bulldogs 50 Drogheda Vikings 0 – The Drogheda Vikings lost by a large margin in their first ever game as the Bulldogs improved to 3-0.[7]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Antrim Bulldogs         50
Drogheda Vikings         0
Scorers Score
   

 

Week 7: 2 August 1992

Belfast Spartans 50 Drogheda Vikings 9 – The Vikings lost heavily again to northern opposition.[7]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Belfast Spartans         50
Drogheda Vikings         9
Scorers Score
   

Week 8: 9 August 1992

Craigavon Cowboys 68 Lee Valley Steelers 0 – It was another big victory for northern teams over southern teams as the Cowboys won easily against the Cork side.[8]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Craigavon Cowboys         68
Lee Valley Steelers         0
Scorers Score
   

 

Week 9: 12-16 August 1992

Dublin Celts 20 Lee Valley Steelers 0 – In a midweek match the Dublin Celts defeated the Lee Valley Steelers.[9]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Celts         20
Lee Valley Steelers         0
Scorers Score
   

 

Dublin Tornadoes 16 Drogheda Vikings 0 – Gary Morrell scored 2 TD’s, one from 30 yards out, and brother Greg scored a safety on defence as the Tallaght team became the first to qualify for the playoffs.[10]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Tornadoes         16
Drogheda Vikings         0
Scorers Score
TOR – Gary Morrell TD  
TOR – Gary Morrell 30 yd TD  
TOR – Greg Morrell Safety  

 

Week 10: 23 August 1992

Dublin Tornadoes 6 Antrim Bulldogs 0 – Quarterback Jim Walsh scored the only TD of the match as the Dublin Tornadoes secured home field advantage for the playoffs.[11]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Tornadoes         6
Antrim Bulldogs         0
Scorers Score
TOR – Jim Walsh TD 6-0

 

Week 11: 30 August 1992

Dublin Celts 19 Drogheda Vikings 0 – Drogheda were not disgraced in this loss to the Celts , with rivalries to the fore as the Vikings were a splinter team from the Celts.[12]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Celts         19
Drogheda Vikings         0
Scorers Score
   

 

Lee Valley Steelers 0 Belfast Spartans 18 – Peter Taylor scored two touchdowns as the Belfast Spartans and Cork side met halfway in Tallaght.[12]

At Tallaght Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Lee Valley Steelers         0
Belfast Spartans         18
Scorers Score
BEL – Peter Taylor TD  
BEL – Peter Taylor TD Run  
   

 

Lee Valley Steelers 0 Drogheda Vikings 6 – This encounter in Cork between the two winless sides , went Drogheda’s way, Brian Reynolds scoring the only TD. The Vikings played with the bare minimum of 12 players, with Chris Leonard coming out of retirement for the match.[13]

At Cork Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Lee Valley Steelers         0
Drogheda Vikings         6
Scorers Score
DRO – Brian Reynolds TD Run 0-6

 

Week 12: 6 September 1992

Antrim Bulldogs 11 Belfast Spartans 8 – In a “cracking climax” to the regular season the Antrim Bulldogs defeated the Belfast Spartans in a close match.[14]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Antrim Bulldogs         11
Belfast Spartans         8
Scorers Score
   

 

Playoffs: 13 September 1992

Dublin Tornadoes 6 Antrim Bulldogs 19 – In a “dour” match, the Antrim defence held strong, with matters made worse for the Tornadoes, when QB Jim Walsh damaged his arm. Billy Beattie opened the scoring from 10 yards for the Bulldogs, and the Tornadoes responded quickly with a Mark Nicholls TD. A missed FG at the end of the first half for the Dubliners meant the teams wre level going in at the break. Antrim scored a second TD against the run of play, when Paul McCullough put the Bulldogs one TD up, and there was “no surprise” in the end when Mark Banks added a third with Garry Graham adding the extra-point.[15]

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dublin Tornadoes         6
Antrim Bulldogs         19
Scorers Score
ANT – Billy Beattie 10 yd TD Run 0-6
TOR – Mark Nicholls TD 6-6
ANT – Paul McCullough TD 6-12
ANT – Mark Banks TD (Garry Graham XP) 6-19

 

Craigavon Cowboys 10 Dublin Celts 6 – A Touchdown and Field Goal in the second quarter gave the Cowboys a slender victory over the Celts

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Craigavon Cowboys 0 10 0 0 10
Dublin Celts         6
Scorers Score
   

Reference: [18]

Shamrock Bowl: 20 September 1992

At Collegians Rugby Club, Belfast Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Craigavon Cowboys         14
Antrim Bulldogs         6
Scorers Score
   

Reference: [17][18]

References

_________________________________________________________

 

Sources

[1] Anon. (1992) “IRISH CHAMPION CELTS STUNG BY BULLDOG SPIRIT”, First Down. July 11, 1992, pg. 17.

[2] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 2, 1992, pg. 65

[3] Anon. (1992) “Sad Celts are Torn to shreds”, First Down. July 18, 1992, pg. 16.

[4] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Celts blown away”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 9, 1992, pg. 66

[5] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 16, 1992, pg. 69

[6] Anon. (1992) “Dublin Celts still winless”, First Down. July 25, 1992, pg. 19.

[7] FD Reporter. (1992) “At last! It’s the Dub-win Celts!”, First Down. August 15, 1992, pg. 17.

[8] Anon. (1992) “IRISH RESULTS”, First Down. August 29, 1992, pg. 17.

[9] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Vikings ready to invade Tallaght”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 13, 1992, pg. 66

[10] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Tornadoes ko Vikings”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 20, 1992, pg. 61

[11] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 27, 1992, pg. 61

[12] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 3, 1992, pg. 94

[13] Anon. (1992) “Vikings Victory”, Drogheda Independent. Friday, September 4, 1992, pg. 11

[14] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 10, 1992, pg. 70

[15] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Gridiron grief for Dubs!”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 17, 1992, pg. 76

[16] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, October 8, 1992, pg. Sport 7

[17] Irish American Football Association (2018) Shamrock Bowl History [Internet] Available from: hhttp://www.americanfootball.ie/american-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 23 March 2018]

[18] Anon. (1992) “Cowboys take on Bulldogs”, Sunday Life. September 20, 1992. pg. 52

 

Acknowledgements

 

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith, Ralph Schmeer and Michael Brophy 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: 7 April 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

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