Standings

Standings calculated automatically from results in Schedule. For more details Please see Official American Football Ireland Schedule in References: [1-2]

Playoff Schedule

Results compiled from results in Schedule and a couple of other websites. For more details Please see Official American Football Ireland Schedule and other websites in References: [1-4]

Schedule

Standings calculated automatically from results in Schedule. For more details Please see Official American Football Ireland Schedule in References: [1-2]

Weekly Recaps

Week 1 Recap (13 March 2022)

UCD had an amazing return to Football after the COVID-enforced layoff with a 58-7 victory over Belfast Knights. Craigavon Cowboys also had a big win, 35-6 versus West Dublin Rhinos. [References: 2]

Week 2 Recap (20 March 2022)

UCD continued on a roll with a close 28-27 defeat of Belfast Trojans, while Dublin Rebels opened their account with a 20-0 win at Cork Admirals, also playing their first game. [References: 2]

Week 3 Recap (27 March 2022)

Craigavon Cowboys defeated the Belfast Knights 15-14 to go level with UCD on 2-0 at the top of the Premier in the only game in the Division in Week 2. [References: 2]

Week 4 Recap (3 April 2022)

South Dublin Panthers won 42-13 versus Belfast Trojans to join UCD, Craigavon Cowboys and Dublin Rebels on 100% records at the top of the Premier Division. Belfast Trojans fall to 0-2, and remain winless along with Cork Admirals, Belfast Trojans and Belfast Knights. [References: 2]

Week 5 Recap (10 April 2022)

UCD improved to 3-0 with a 44-8 defeat of Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin rebels likewise kept their 100% record with a 52-0 win at West Dublin Rhinos, and South Dublin Panthers were victorious versus Belfast Knights 19-13 to also maintain a perfect start on 2-0. [References: 2]

Week 6 Recap (24 April 2022)

UCD Sentinels, Dublin Rebels and South Dublin Panthers all won to keep up their 100% records. The Rebels (3-0) defeated Belfast Knights (0-4) 30-7, UCD (4-0) won 20-0 at home to the Cork Admirals (0-2) and South Dublin Panthers (3-0) triumphed 17-0 at West Dublin Rhinos (0-3) in a South/West Dublin derby as the gap between the top half of the standings and the bottom half of the standings widened. [References: 2]

Week 7 Recap (1 May 2022)

Dublin Rebels joined UCD on 4-0 after defeating Belfast Trojans (0-3) 38-6, while the West Dublin Rhinos (1-2) gained their first win of the season 28-16 over the Craigavon Cowboys (2-2) in a shock result. [References: 2]

Week 8 Recap (15 May 2022)

Cork Admirals traveled to Palmerston in Dun Laoighre-Rathdown to face South Dublin Panthers and came away with a shock first win of the season thanks to a dominant defense and three touchdowns from Phylip Walters (2 rushing and one receiving). The 2-24 loss was the Panthers first of the season. [References: 3]

Week 9 Recap (22 May 2022)

UCD and Dublin Rebels continued to set the pace with wins over West Dublin Rhinos (37-6) and Belfast Knights (48-21) respectively, while Cork Admirals made up some ground with a 22-13 victory at the always tough to beat Craigavon Cowboys. [References: 2]

Week 10 Recap (29 May 2022)

UCD defeated South Dublin Panthers 44-6 to remain undefeated as Belfast Trojans won 49-19 at home to Craigavon Cowboys to win their first game of the season and go 1-3, just behind the Cowboys who were on 2-4 after the game. [References: 2]

Week 11 Recap (5 June 2022)

In a big match which could determine playoff places Cork Admirals defeated the visiting Belfast Knights 41-21 to go 3-2, level with South Dublin Panthers in third, while the Knights remained without a win on 0-6. Belfast Trojans improved to 2-3 with a 35-0 defeat of West Dublin Rhinos who were now 1-5 [References: 2]

Week 12 Recap (12 June 2022)

In the biggest game of the season so far the Dublin Rebels defeated University College Dublin 34-30 in a match-up between the two undefeated teams. Rebels improved to 6-0 with the win and UCD fell to 6-1 with the loss. [References: 2]

Week 13 Recap (19 June 2022)

In a game with important playoff implications Belfast Trojans triumphed 33-20 over the visiting South Dublin Panthers to go 3-3 and leave the Panthers on 3-3. In the other game Cork Admirals traveled to West Dublin and defeated thev Rhinos 44-0 to improve to 4-2 as the Castleknock-based Rhinos fell to 1-6. [References: 2]

Week 14 Recap (26 June 2022)

Dublin Rebels traveled to Craigavon and came away with a 58-2 victory at the Cowboys who were now on 2-5 and their playoff chances slim with the defeat. The Rebels improved to 7-0 with the win. [References: 2]

Week 15 Recap (2-3 July 2022)

Belfast Trojans won 43-26 versus the still winless Belfast Knights to improve to 4-3. The Trojans, despite their four-game winning streak still had to contend for the fourth playoff spot with the South Dublin Panthers who snapped a three-game losing streak with a 55-6 victory over Craigavon Cowboys who finished the season 2-6 as the Panthers went 4-3 alongside the Trojans. In the other game in Week 15 Cork Admirals and University College Dublin played out a 28-all tie which assured the Dublin Rebels of the Regular Season League Championship as UCD finished the Regular Season on 6-1-1 and the Cork Admirals marginally improved their chances of a playoff-spot as they went 4-2-1. [References: 2]

Week 16 Recap (10 July 2022)

Dublin Rebels finished the Regular Season undefeated after defeating the South Dublin Panthers 42-13. Cork Admirals took third place and deprived the Belfast Trojans of a playoff place after winning 26-20 in Cork, and Belfast Knights climbed off bottom spot with their first victory of the season, 34-0 at home to West Dublin Rhinos, who also finished the season 1-7. The Top 4 and therefore playoff qualifiers were Dublin Rebels (8-0), University College Dublin (6-1-1), Cork Admirals (5-2-1) and South Dublin Panthers (4-4). Belfast Trojans narrowly missed out on the playoffs on a tie-breaker after they also finished on 4-4 and the Craigavon Cowboys finished 2-6. [References: 2]

Premier Division Semi-Finals (24 July 2022)

Two blowouts confirmed the Dublin Rebels and University College Dublin as the best two American Football teams in Ireland after the Rebels won 46-6 versus South Dublin Panthers and UCD defeated Cork Admirals 44-6, setting up a hotly-anticipated first Shamrock Bowl since 2019, to be held in Ravenhill, Belfast, the home of Ulster Rugby (now known as Kingspan Stadium for sponsorship reasons). [References: 2]

Shamrock Bowl XIV (7 August 2022)

To cap an historic season, UCD American Football, defeated Dublin Rebels 52-24 in front off a record crowd in Kingspan Stadium, Belfast (formerly known as Ravenhill – the home of Ulster Rugby). [References: 4-5]

About the 2022 American Football Ireland Premier Division

The American Football Ireland Premier Division is the Top Level American Football League in Ireland, consisting of 8 teams: three in Northern Ireland (Belfast Knights, Belfast Trojans and Craigavon Cowboys); four in Dublin (Dublin Rebels, South Dublin Panthers, University College Dublin AFC and West Dublin Rhinos) and one Munster team (Cork Admirals). It is the first full year of the League since 2019 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and sees 7 teams returning from 2019 with University of Limerick Vikings and Trinity College Dublin making the drop down to Division 1 for 2022 and being replaced in the Premier Division by South Dublin Panthers. [References: 2]

Map of Ireland (2022 Counties, Boroughs and Districts) Showing AFI Premier Division Team Logos and Locations 2022

References

[27] Vector — Labeled Color Map of Districts of Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Copyright: lara2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_144615978_labeled-color-map-of-districts-of-northern-ireland-united-kingdom.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-21 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Superimposed on Vector — Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_51580818_map-of-ireland-administrative-divisions-on-counties-level.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-1 [Accessed 10 January 2022] Combined with 2022 American Football Ireland Premier Division Team Logos by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie [10 January 2022]

IMAGES

[1] American Football Ireland (2020) AFI Logo 2020 [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AFI-Logo-200.png [Accessed 10 February 2020]

References

[2] American Football Ireland (2022) AFI Premier Division 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/americanfootball/premier-division/ [Accessed 4 July 2022]

[3] American Football Ireland (2022) Review: AFI Gameweek 8 [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/review-afi-gameweek-8/ [Accessed 24 May 2022]

[4] UCD American Football (2022) Post, 9 August 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/UcdAmericanFootball/posts/pfbid0TJmad3btJYKGXn3qcVxF7bVgCHzaqVJRn3KsJQ5diVh52EywFPpLCdhVF2w65YNxl [Accessed 9 August 2022]

[5] Gaelic Gridiron (2022) Post, 7 August 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/gaelicgridiron/posts/pfbid02Zj4iGFKE1AYv4EQbn7gg4Ge3UAzFo8DXJ2ASogd9savPWh4QKXNkiChms449Z3Jsl [Accessed 8 August 2022]

Logo References

[16] Carrickfergus Knights – Vimeo (2018) Portrait [Internet] Available from: https://i.vimeocdn.com/portrait/482449_300x300 [Accessed 22 July 2018]

[15] Belfast Trojans | Facebook (2019) Belfast Trojans Logo [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/396414_329765713737073_1023026931_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=61cbbd2dd06504291f7e7843703e7b1d&oe=5CB71144 [Accessed 21 January 2019]

[32] Irish American Football Association (2017) Admirals Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Admirals-PNG-1.png [Accessed 30 November 2018]

[1] Craigavon Cowboys – Twitter Account (2018) Profile Picture [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/864100166680424448/TCauLbnj_400x400.jpg [Accessed 22 July 2018]

[4] Irish American Football Association (2018) Dublin Rebels Team Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Team-Logo-Dublin-Rebels-2.png [Accessed 22 July 2018]

[1] South Dublin Panthers Facebook Page (2018) South Dublin Panthers Profile Picture https://www.facebook.com/southdublinpanthers/photos/a.345294775649262/906846089494125/?type=1&theater [Accessed 16 November 2018]

[11] University College Dublin American Football | Facebook (2019) UCD American Football Logo [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/42217493_1698569130253365_7279433760959889408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=7a5022628bcaee96b826121685dfb223&oe=5CC99467 [Accessed 21 January 2019]

[1] West Dublin Rhinos | Twitter (2019) West Dublin Rhinos Logo [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/834675830257229824/fw7mbNXR_400x400.jpg [Accessed 21 January 2019]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Sean Douglas (UCD and Dublin Rebels) and Jo Buchanan (South Dublin Panthers)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 9 August 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

Unofficial Standings

Note: No Official standings kept by American Football Ireland for the 2021 Friendly season. Teams Won-Loss Record shown here by Eirball are not official. There was no Official Champion.

Schedule

Please click on each individual match to see a game report and Box-Scores for that match.

Note: In some email applications the Schedule and Standings may not show up. If you are viewing this article in an email application and this is the case please click on the article / email title to be brought directly to the Eirball website where you may view the article in full.

Recap

With the season cancelled in 2020 and curtailed in 2021 due to COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions, the Craigavon Cowboys played four games – two against Northern Ireland rivals Belfast Knights, losing both (30-13 and 28-13) and two against the other Belfast Premier Division team the Trojans, losing 21-20 in a game they came back from 21-0 down at halftime in, giving them hope they could win the return in People’s Park, Portadown, which they did, 41-18, with a fourth quarter blast of 27 points to finish the season on 1-3. South Dublin Panthers were also due to play friendlies against the Belfast Trojans but both were cancelled due to a large number of significant injuries to the Panthers, presumably picked up in a game versus the Knights, although no evidence of such games has been found by Eirball.

IMAGES

[1] American Football Ireland (2020) AFI Logo 2020 [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AFI-Logo-200.png [Accessed 10 February 2020]

REFERENCES

[2] Craigavon Cowboys (2021) News: President’s Season Report [Internet] Available from: https://www.craigavoncowboys.co.uk/news/presidents-season-report [Accessed 22 September 2021]

[3] Belfast Knights Facebook (2021) Post to Page, June 27, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2223981314402961&id=229667953834317 [Accessed 22 September 2021]

[4] Belfast Knights Facebook (2021) Post to Page: June 29, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/BelfastKnightsNI/posts/194891429306673  [Accessed 23 September 2021]

[5] Belfast Knights Facebook (2021) Post to Page: July 19, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/BelfastKnightsNI/posts/209807457815070  [Accessed 23 September 2021]

[6] Belfast Trojans Facebook (2021) Post to Page: July 19, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/TheBelfastTrojans/posts/4338729596173978  [Accessed 23 September 2021]

[7] Belfast Trojans Facebook (2021) Post to Page: July 25, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/TheBelfastTrojans/posts/4312744605439144  [Accessed 23 September 2021]

[8] Belfast Trojans Facebook (2021) Post to Page: August 16, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/TheBelfastTrojans/posts/4377633782283559  [Accessed 23 September 2021]

[9] Belfast Trojans Facebook (2021) Post to Page: August 16, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/TheBelfastTrojans/posts/4377633782283559  [Accessed 23 September 2021]

Team Logo References

Please See Individual Games for Team Logo References.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Sean Douglas (University College Dublin) and Jo Buchanan (South Dublin Panthers)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 23 September 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. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

Scoreboard

Standings

Standings calculated from Schedule. Please see References [11-37]

Playoff Schedule

Please see References [12; 38]

Regular Season Schedule

Note: Match Reports and Scorers are available to view by clicking on Individual Game Results in the Schedule.

Note: In some email browsers, the Schedule and Standings may not be visible. If that is the case click through to view the article on the Internet rather than in the email preview by clicking on the article heading.

Week by Week Report

Week 1 (26 April 1987)

In Week 1 on the much-anticipated first full Irish American Football League season in 1987, the Belfast Blitzers, 1986 Cup and League winners travelled to Castlereagh to take on new boys East Side Jets and trounced them 92-0, seven Belfast players getting on the scoreboard. In other games Dublin Celts had a tougher than expected 7-6 win at Labatt Spartans, a single Point After Touchdown the difference between the teams after one touchdown each had been scored. Meanwhile, on the North Coast, defending Shamrock Bowl Champions Craigavon Cowboys got off to a winning start with a 38-0 win at Coleraine Chieftains. [Pictures from the Belfast Blitzers at East Side Jets game are available to view if the reader clicks on the game itself to view the Match Report]

Week 2 (3 May 1987)

In the second week of the season Craigavon Cowboys improved to 2-0 as the traveled to Carrickfergus where they defeated the hosts Cougars 30-6. Meanwhile on Sunday, the other Shamrock Bowl I finalist from the previous year, Dublin Celts also got off to a winning start winning 28-6 at Wanderers Rugby Club versus Jordanstown Jaguars.

Week 3 (10 May 1987)

Belfast Blitzers defeated the Jordanstown Jaguars 28-0 at UUJ as the Blitzers continued to impress. Finn Lynch got the Blitzers on the scoreboard with a 35 yard run, and three more touchdowns and a safety followed as the Jaguars baptism of fire continued. The Celts continued to improve, putting 48 points on the board at Coleraine, although the Chieftains got their first points of the season. At Solitude, Tennent’s Giants defeated Bangor Buccaneers 28-0 in a match-up between two teams making their fully kitted contact league debut.

Week 4 (17 May 1987)

Two touchdowns in the second quarter and a dominant defense enabled the Dublin Celts move to 4-0 at the Top of the Tara Conference and consign the Tennents Giants to their first defeat of the season. Craigavon Cowboys ran riot at Lurgan versus the East Side Jets, winning 57-0 to keep pace with the Celts. In the Mourne Conference Carrickfergus Cougars improved to 1-1 and moved into second place behind the Belfast Blitzers with a 15-2 win at Labatt Spartans.

Week 5 (24 May 1987)

Belfast Blitzers continued to show why they were early favourites for the Shamrock Bowl as they scored 52 points without reply at home to Coleraine Chieftains. The Jordanstown Jaguars got their first win of the season in a close 8-6 victory versus Carrickfergus Cougars. Labatt Spartans also got their first victory of the season, 30-9 at East Side Jets, leaving the Jets still winless. Meanwhile on the Saturday, Tennents Giants won 52-2 at home to Dublin Tornadoes, gaining their second win of the season thanks to six touchdowns by the offense and two interception returns for touchdowns by their defense.

Week 6 (31 May 1987)

In Week 6 Belfast Blitzers continued to destroy defenses as they knocked off Bangor Buccaneers 76-0, moving the Blitzers to 4-0 and dropping the Buccaneers to 0-2. The Cowboys, meanwhile, joined the Celts on 4-0 at the top of the Tara Conference with a 32-0 win in Dublin versus the Tornadoes, which left the Tornadoes 0-2. The match in Carrickfergus between the Cougars and Dublin Celts was postponed until the 6th September.

Week 7 (7 June 1987)

Two teams won for the first time in Week 7 – Coleraine Chieftains had a significant 31-0 defeat of East Side Jets which put the Chieftains on 1-3 alongside Carrickfergus Cougars, while Bangor Buccaneers scored their first points of the season in a 7-0 victory at Jordanstown, Chris Kelly catching the winning score from Quarterback Terry Mills. The win put Bangor level with Belfast Spartans on 1-2 in the Tara Conference and dropped the Jaguars to 1-3 and the foot of the Tara Conference. Meanwhile at the other end of the Tara Conference standings Belfast Giants improved to 3-1 with a close 9-6 defeat of Carrickfergus Cougars who fell to 1-3 in the Mourne Conference.

Week 8 (14 June 1987)

In the Tara Conference Craigavon Cowboys moved to 5-0 with a surprisingly close 21-7 win at home to Bangor Buccaneers, who dropped to 1-3. The Mourne Conference meanwhile saw Dublin Tornadoes gain their first victory of the season, 22-0 at Carrickfergus Cougars, leaving them level on wins with the Cougars and Coleraine Chieftains. The Inter-Conference match-up of the week was a big 46-0 win for Belfast Giants at East Side Jets, moving Belfast Giants to 4-1 and leaving the Jets the only winless team on 0-5.

Week 9 (21 June 1987)

In a Saturday Inter-Conference game at Cooke Rugby Club, the Labatt Spartans were “blitzed” by the Belfast Blitzers, who won 63-0, dropping the Spartans to 1-3 and lifting the Blitzers to 5-0 and leaders of the Mourne Conference [12, 23, 24]. Joining them on 5-0 were the Dublin Celts who had a harder than expected 38-15 victory at Bangor versus the Buccaneers [12]. The win brought the Celts level with the Craigavon Cowboys on 5-0 at the top of the Tara Conference while the Buccaneers dropped to 1-4. Meanwhile in the Mourne Conference the Dublin Tornadoes won their second straight, improving to 2-2 as they defeated Coleraine Chieftains 38-6 in Dublin, a big win which left them clear in second place ahead of three teams on one win each including the 1-4 Coleraine Chieftains.

Week 10 (28 June 1987)

The biggest game of the season so far saw a Clash of the Titans in Goodyear Playing Fields, Portadown as Craigavon Cowboys hosted the Belfast Blitzers in a match-up between two of the three undefeated teams [25]. The Blitzers left with both their undefeated record and their remarkable record of being the only team in Britain and Ireland yet to concede a point in 1987 intact as they won 22-0 thanks to two Hayden Davis rushing Touchdowns and a Damien McHugh rushing Touchdown. Former Glentoran Soccer star George Neill added two PAT kicks and ran in another for two points as the Blitzers moved to 6-0 [25]. The Cowboys almost scored the first points of the season on Belfast when a Field Goal attempt hit the crossbar in the third quarter. In the other Inter-Conference game the Labatt Spartans won 6-0 at Coleraine to improve to 2-3 as the Chieftains dropped to 1-5 on the season [12]

Week 11 (5 July 1987)

Bangor Buccaneers improved to 2-4 with a 25-0 win over the still winless East Side Jets, who were now 0-6 [12] The Dublin Celts, Craigavon Cowboys and Belfast Blitzers were all playing in the Jack Daniels Summer Bowl on 4th July that weekend [26-31].

Week 12 (12 July 1987)

Labatt (Belfast) Spartans received a walkover from Jordanstown Jaguars as they improved to 3-3 and the Jaguars fell to 1-4 [References: 12]. Dublin Celts marched on, winning 40-6 over Capital rivals Dublin Tornadoes. [References: 12]

Week 13 (19 July 1987)

Belfast Tennents Giants had two new signings from USA with connections to Notre Dame Fighting Irish in attendance as Tom Ogilvie and Quarterback from Los Angeles, Ray Chappa, scored the two touchdowns which were enough to defeat the Chieftains at Coleraine [References: 12, 32]. Dublin Celts won again, 27-0 at Labatt (Belfast) Spartans as the Celts went to 7-0 and Spartans fell to 3-4 [References: 12, 33]. Dublin Tornadoes record improved to .500 (50%) without playing as they received a walkover from Jordanstown Jaguars. [References: 12]

Week 14 (26 July 1987)

The only game of the four scheduled to go ahead in week 14 was Dublin Celts 24-14 victory at Craigavon Cowboys, a revenge for defeat to the Cowboys in Shamrock Bowl I the previous season. With the win the Celts improved to 8-0 and Craigavon fell to 5-2. Two more games were forfeited: East Side Jets at Carrickfergus Cougars and Coleraine Chieftains at Jordanstown Jaguars. A fourth game, Bangor Buccaneers versus Labatt Belfast Spartans was postponed until 6 September 1987. [References: 12]

Week 15 (2 August 1987)

Dublin Tornadoes improved to 4-3 and increased their slim playoff hopes with a 32-0 defeat of Bangor Buccaneers, while Carrickfergus Cougars remained in pursuit with a 33-12 victory at Coleraine Chieftains. The game of the week, however, was undoubtedly the match-up between two likely playoff teams, Belfast Blitzers (6-0 coming into the match) and Belfast Tennants Giants (5-1 before the game). While the Giants had the distinction of being the first team in 1987 to put points past Belfast Blitzers with kicker Raymond’s late field goal, the Blitzers juggernaut kept rolling with five running touchdowns (two each from Damien McHugh and Hayden Davis and one from Finn Lynch) and a passing TD from quarterback Alan McCandless to tight end John Smith. The final score read Belfast Blitzers 38 at Belfast Tennants Giants 3. [References: 12, 34]

Week 16 (16 August 1987)

The two undefeated teams, Dublin Celts and Belfast Blitzers met in Dublin in a titanic clash that saw the Celts emerge victorious 26-14. The Celts went 9-0 with the win and only three games away from a perfect season. The Blitzers fell to 7-1 but remained in the lead in the Mourne Conference two games ahead of Dublin Tornadoes (5-3) who received a walkover from East Side Jets (0-8) in Dundonald. In a match-up between two potential playoff teams, Craigavon Cowboys (6-2) got the better of Belfast Tennants Giants (5-3) by 13 points to nil. The other match in week 16 was a 6-0 victory for Bangor Buccaneers over Coleraine Chieftains who finished the season 1-9. Bangor Buccaneers improved to 3-5. [References: 12, 35]

Week 17 (23 August 1987)

Despite two forfeits in the second last week of regular season play, the second season of the Irish American Football League, and the first full season of the league, could be deemed a success, with only two teams, East Side Jets from Castlereagh and Jordanstown Jaguars failing to complete the season out of 11 starters. The penultimate weekend saw the Jets forfeit a game in Dublin at the Celts and the Jaguars forfeited their home game with Craigavon Cowboys. In the one game to go ahead in week 17, Belfast Blitzers made the trip up the Antrim coast and defeated Carrickfergus Cougars 36-6. The Results meant Dublin Celts finished the regular season on 10-0, topping the Tara Conference, with Craigavon Cowboys almost certain of a playoff place on 7-2. Belfast Giants were third on 5-3 and in a fight for the last place with Mourne Conference runners-up Dublin Tornadoes. Out of the running but not disgraced were Belfast Labatt Spartans 3-4, Bangor Buccaneers 3-5 and Jordanstown Jaguars 2-6. The Mourne Conference Champions were Belfast Blitzers on 8-1, followed by Dublin Tornadoes on 5-3, Carrickfergus Cougars 3-5, Coleraine Chieftains on 1-9 and East Side Jets on 0-9. With one week to go and four postponed matches to make a decision on the league was approaching the playoffs with great excitement. [References: 12, 36-37]

Week 18 (30 August 2022)

The Final weekend of the first full Irish American Football League regular season saw Carrickfergus Cougars defeat Bangor Buccaneers in a battle of Belfast Area seaside resorts with only pride at stake as both teams had already been eliminated from the playoffs. The Cougars won 26-6 in their trip to the south coast of Belfast Lough to improve to 4-5 while the Buccaneers dropped to 3-6. Craigavon Cowboys meanwhile had a productive trip to Belfast, winning 52-0 at the Labatt-sponsored Spartans to finish 8-2 as the Spartans dropped to 3-5. In the final game of the regular season bar decisions on postponed games, East Side Jets were awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory over Jordanstown Jaguars in a match-up between the two teams to have folded during the season. The Jets finished 1-9 and the Jaguars went to 2-7. Dublin Tornadoes travelled to Belfast to take on Belfast Blitzers in the only game with any meaning, as it was necessary for the Tornadoes to overcome the Mourne Conference Champions Belfast Blitzers to overtake Belfast Giants and reach the playoffs. Despite losing 52-2 to the Giants earlier in the season the Tornadoes improved dramatically as the season wore on and were 6-3 coming into the game with the Blitzers, but lost 12-28 to finish 6-4 as the Blitzers wrapped up the Mourne Conference title on 9-1. With only decisions to make on postponed games to take place the following week, the scene was set for the playoffs. [References: 12]

Awarded Games (6 September 1987)

Decisions were made on previously postponed games during the season the week after the end of the regular season: 1-0 walkover wins were awarded to Bangor Buccaneers at Labatt Spartans; Tennants Giants at Jordanstown Jaguars and Labatt Spartans; and Dublin Celts at Carrickfergus Cougars. Belfast Blitzers were Mourne Conference Champions on 9-1; Dublin Tornadoes finished runners-up on 6-4; Carrickfergus Cougars third on 4-6; Coleraine Chieftains fourth on 1-9 and East Side Jets fifth on 1-9. Dublin Celts took the Tara Conference with a perfect 10-0 record; Craigavon Cowboys finished runners-up on 8-2; Tennants Giants also made the playoffs in third on 7-3; Bangor Buccaneers placed fourth on 4-6; Labatt Spartans fifth on 3-7 and Jordanstown Jaguars sixth on 2-8. [References: 12]

Semi-Finals (12-13 September 1987)

Craigavon Cowboys shocked the Belfast Blitzers, winning 28-20 in their Semi-Final to set up a rematch in the Shamrock Bowl with the Dublin Celts, who defeated Tennants (Belfast) Giants 43-0 in the other Semi-Final. The Celts were out for revenge after their shock loss to the Cowboys in Shamrock Bowl I in 1986. [References: 12; 38]

Shamrock Bowl II (26 September 1987, NIFC, Belfast)

Dublin Celts won Shamrock Bowl II by defeating Craigavon Cowboys 43-25 at North of Ireland Rugby Club in Ormeau Road, Belfast. Craigavon Cowboys were the holders having defeated Dublin Celts 6-2 in the corresponding fixture the previous year.

An enthralled crowd of over 1,000 people witnessed a spectacular first half display in the title game of the Irish American Football League’s first full season, with the Celts leading 29-19 at half-time. Among the Celts scorers in the first half was Noel Doolin, who grabbed the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after a spectacular 8-yard first half touchdown.

The second half witnessed a change of emphasis to defense by both teams, meaning the excitement was diminished, although the scoring continued, with Dublin Celts emerging victorious by a score of 43-25, with tempers flaring near the end and the Craigavon Cowboys having one player ejected.

The Dublin Celts travelled to Austria the following month to represent Ireland as Shamrock Bowl Champions in the European Football League Playoffs. [References: 39-42]

Scorers

Dublin Celts:

D Doherty (2 TDs), Ian Buddulph (2 TDs), Martin Murphy (TD), Noel Doolin (TD)

Craigavon Cowboys:

J McAleese (TD), Brendan McAleese (TD), Roger Heasley (TD), M Briggs (TD)

ATTENDANCE: 1,000+

HALF-TIME: Dublin Celts 29 Craigavon Cowoys 19

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (MVP): Noel Doolin (Dublin Celts)

About AFAI and Irish American Football League 1987

Map of Ireland (2021 Administrative Divisions) Showing 1987 IAFL Team Locations

Vector Contributor Rainer Lesniewski (2022) administrative map of Ireland and Northern Ireland [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/administrative-map-ireland-northern-1665171421 [Last Accessed 11 August 2022][Overlaid with Map of Dublin isolated from: Vector — Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_51580818_map-of-ireland-administrative-divisions-on-counties-level.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-1 [Accessed 10 January 2022][Irish American Football League 1987 Team Logos added by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball – see References 1-11]

About the Irish American Football League 1987

Eleven teams entered the AFAI Irish American Football League in 1987 with Aldergrove Hawks also only playing preseason games versus East Side Jets and Bangor Buccaneers. New teams for 1987 were Belfast Spartans, Bangor Buccaneers, Jordanstown Jaguars, Belfast Giants, Dublin Tornadoes, East Side Jets and Aldergrove Hawks (preseason only). The eleven IAFL teams were divided into two Conferences: Mourne and Tara after two famous mountain ranges in Ulster (Mourne) and Leinster (Tara). Belfast Blitzers, Carrickfergus Cougars, Coleraine Chieftains, Dublin Tornadoes and East Side Jets were placed in the Mourne Conference and Dublin Celts, Craigavon Cowboys, Bangor Buccaneers, Jordanstown Jaguars, Belfast Giants and Belfast Spartans in the Tara Conference. The eleven teams were scheduled to play each other team once during the regular season for a 10-game schedule per team plus playoffs featuring the two Conference Champions plus the two next best placed teams. The winners of the two Semi-Finals would meet in Shamrock Bowl II for the title of All-Ireland Champions for 1987. [References: 11-37]

About the AFAI – American Football Association of Ireland (1986-2000)

The Dublin Celts were formed in 1984 and the following year Belfast Blitzers, Coleraine Chieftains, Tyrone Tornadoes and Craigavon Cowboys were founded and formed the Northern Ireland American Football Association (NIAFA). The NIAFA played an adhoc series of unkitted games that first year, with Ballymena Wolfhounds joining later. The Tyrone Tornadoes disbanded after many players left to focus on Gaelic Football once the GAA season started up in summer 1985 and the remaining players formed the Irish American Football Referees Association (IAFRA). [References: 11]

Dublin Celts announced in late 1985 that they had become fully kitted and would only be playing other fully kitted teams. The Blitzers, Chieftains and Cowboys followed suit in early 1986 and also announced that they too had become fully kitted and the NIAFA joined forces with the IAFRA and Dublin Celts to form the American Football Association of Ireland (AFAI). Ballymena Wolfhounds withdrew, focusing on Youth Football and by April 1986 the Carrickfergus Cougars and Belfast Spartans had joined. Two Divisions, Kitted and Unkitted were set up within the NIAFA which was now a regional development body.[References: 11]

By March 1986 the first fully kitted American Football match between two Irish teams was played between the Belfast Blitzers and Craigavon Cowboys with the first season following soon afterwards, playing 15 matches in total. By 1987 teams had also formed in Jordanstown (Jaguars), yet another Belfast team (Giants), Dublin (Tornadoes) and Castlereagh (East Side Jets), and Aldergrove (Hawks). The second season of the Irish American Football League was played in 1987 with 11 teams divided into two Conferences: Mourne and Tara after two famous mountain ranges: the first in Ulster and the second in Leinster. [References: 11]

References and About Eirball

References

Map References

[M-1] Vector Contributor Rainer Lesniewski (2022) administrative map of Ireland and Northern Ireland [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/administrative-map-ireland-northern-1665171421 [Last Accessed 11 August 2022][Overlaid with Map of Dublin isolated from: Vector — Map of Ireland administrative divisions on counties level Copyright: lesniewski [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_51580818_map-of-ireland-administrative-divisions-on-counties-level.html?vti=lnoo9k86jx77fg2u6b-1-1 [Accessed 10 January 2022][Irish American Football League 1987 Team Logos added by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball – see References 1-11]

Logo References

[1] Dublin Celts American Football Team Facebook Page (2016) Photo by Joseph Greene August 28, 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1421158977901127&set=gm.269427200117075&type=3&theater&ifg=1 [Accessed 3 July 2018]

[2] Coleraine Chieftains (2002) Coleraine Chieftains: Chief Image [Internet] Available from: http://www.thecolerainechieftans.freeservers.com/images/chief.gif [Accessed 18 July 2018]

[3] Craigavon Cowboys – Twitter Account (2018) Profile Picture [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/864100166680424448/TCauLbnj_400x400.jpg [Accessed 22 July 2018]

[4] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2019) Post, August 12, 2019 at 1:31 PM [Internet] Available from:  https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940?notif_id=1565921781157641&notif_t=comment_mention [Accessed 17 August 2019]

[6] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2021) Post to Page by Belfast Blitzers, 5 February 2021: [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/146339398_3535274803250316_484236705150193506_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=2&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=APIfzLRulaMAX9g3LLc&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=72bcf54f0435a9ab26cd035a8d2cf7c7&oe=604502C2 [Accessed 5 February 2021]

[9] Northern Amateur Football League (2023) 1325246938UUJFC_logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.thenafl.co.uk/upload/teams/1325246938UUJFC_logo.png [Accessed 22 July 2023]

[10A] Seeklogo (2023) Tennent’s Logo [Internet] Available from: https://seeklogo.com/vector-logo/247273/tennents  [Accessed 22 July 2023][‘T’ isolated and red background added]

[10B] Belfast Blitzers Facebook (2023) Photo, 22 July 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=582563590734220&set=pcb.1997955870597524 [Accessed 22 July 2023]

[11] Dublin Tornadoes Football Helmet – Authors’ Personal Collection – Purchased at http://www.417helmets.com

References

[11] Steve Stracher (1987) “An Official History of American Football in Ireland” Receiver. pg. 25.

[12] Britball Now (2016) Results Section [1987] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

[13] Anon. (1987) “Weekend Sport: American Football” Belfast Telegraph. April 27, 1987. pg. 29.

[14] Anon. (1987) “U.S. Football” Irish Press. Monday, May 4, 1987. pg. 14 Past Editions of the Irish Press are Available to view on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 13 October 2018]

[15] Anon. (1987) “Easy for Blitzers” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, May 11, 1987. Pg. 18. Past Editions of the Irish Press are Available to view on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 6 May 2020]

Fixture

[16] Anon. (1987) “Your Sports Diary: Tomorrow: American Football” Irish Independent. Saturday, May 16, 1987. pg. 21. Past copies of the Irish Independent are Available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 13 October 2018] The Irish Newspaper Archive is a subscription service.

Result

[17][ Anon. (1987) “American Football: Dublin Celts still unbeaten” The Irish Times. Monday, May 18, 1987. pg. 4 Past copies of the The Irish Times Article are Available to view online at: https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1987/0518/Pg004.html#Ar00414 The Irish Times Archive is a subscription service.

[18][ Anon. (1987) “American Football” The Irish Independent. Monday, May 18, 1987. pg. 14 Past copies of the Irish Independent are Available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 12 August 2021] The Irish Newspaper Archive is a subscription service.

[19] Anon. (1987) “Cowboys run riot” The Belfast Telegraph. Monday, May 18, 1987. Pg. 23 Past Editions of the Irish Press are Available to view on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 6 May 2020]

[20] Anon. (1987) “Giants ‘at Home'” Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, May 19, 1987. pg. 30 Past copies of the Belfast Telegraph are Available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 6 May 2020] The Irish Newspaper Archive is a subscription service.

[21] Anon. (1987) “Spartans victors” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, May 25, 1987. pg. 19 Past copies of the Belfast Telegraph are Available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 6 May 2020] The Irish Newspaper Archive is a subscription service.

[22] Anon. (1987) “Bangor win” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, June 8, 1987. pg. 16. [Past copies of the Belfast Telegraph are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ][Accessed 24 February 2021]

[23] Anon. (1987) “Advertisement: Events” Belfast Telegraph. Friday, June 19, 1987. pg. 15.

[24] Anon. (1987) “Spartans blitzed” Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, June 23, 1987. pg. 17.

[25] Anon. (1987) “Big Blitz” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, June 29, 1987. Pg. 16. Past Editions of the Belfast Telegraph are Available to view on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 8 December 2021]

Jack Daniels Summer Bowl

[26] Anon. (1987) “American Football” Irish Press. Monday, July 6, 1987, pg. 13.

[27] Feeney, John. (1987) “Traders happy with success of Mardi Gras” Nationalist and Leinster Times, Friday, August 21, 1987. pg. 3

[28] Anon. (1987) “American Football” Irish Independent. Monday, July 6, 1987. pg. 14.

[29] Anon. (1987) “Blitzers blitzed” Belfast Telegraph. Thursday, July 9, 1987. pg. 25.

[30] Bill Boyd (1987) “Gridiron Ireland” Gridiron. September 1987. Pg.

[31] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Reply to Post by David Turner, August 12, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 16 August 2019]

Results

[32] Anon. (1987) “Giants sign brothers in play-off bid” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, July 20, 1987. pg. 17. Available to view on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 6 May 2020]

[33] Anon. (1987) “Euro-Bowl” Irish Press. Wednesday, July 22, 1987. pg. 11. Available to view on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 25 May 2020]

[34] Anon. (1987) “IAFL” First Down. August 8, 1987. pg. 15

[35] Anon. (1987) “Jets face a stern Challenge” Belfast Telegraph. Saturday, August 15, 1987. pg. 22. Available to view on the Internet at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 5 June 2020]

[36] Anon. (1987) “It was like Hamlet…” Irish Independent. Monday, August 24, 1987. pg. 13

[37] Anon. (1987) “Forgetful Footballers” Irish Press. Monday, August 24, 1987. pg. 14.

Fixtures

[38] Anon. (1987) “American football in town” Drogheda Independent. Friday, September 11, 1987. pg. 13 [Past Editions of the Drogheda Independent can be viewed online at https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 18 July 2019]

[39] Irish Independent (1987) “Your Sports Diary: Today: American Football” Irish Independent. Saturday, September 26, 1987. pg. 16 [Internet] Available from: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 13 October 2018]

Results

[40] Irish Independent (1987) “U.S. Football” Irish Independent. Monday, September 28, 1987. pg. 11 [Internet] Available from: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 13 October 2018]

[41] Irish Press (1987) “American Football” Irish Independent. Monday, September 28, 1987. pg. 11 [Internet] Available from: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 13 October 2018]

[42] Irish Times (1987) “Dublin Celts fare well” The Irish Times. Monday, September 28, 1987. pg. 4 [Internet] Available from: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1987/0928/Pg004.html#Ar00415

Photo Reference

[14] Belfast Blitzers Facebook (2020) Photo, September 2, 2020: [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/a.459079834203177/3118544214923379 [Accessed 28 September 2020]

About Eirball

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Jo Buchanan (Craigavon Cowboys), Kevin Sharkey (Dublin Celts) and David Turner (Belfast Blitzers)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 11 June 2025. First Published in this format: 22 July 2023

(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. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.