League Table

Playoff Results

[2][3]

Regular Season Results

[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Dublin Tornadoes 1993 Shamrock Bowl Winners[11]

References

______________________________________________________________________________

Sources

[1] (1993) Dublin Celts Team Roster 1993. Shamrock Bowl Programme. 26 September.

[2] (1993) Tornadoes Bowl Glory.First Down. 9 October, p. 20.

[3] (1993) Storm Dave Talks Back. First Down. 15 May, p. 18.

[4] (1993) Coast Guard at Sea. First Down. 12 June, p. 17.

[5] (1993) Irish Zeros. First Down. 19 June, p. 21.

[6] Naughton, L. (1993) US Football. Evening Herald. 3 June, p. 61.

[7] Naughton, L. (1993) US Football. Evening Herald. 8 July, p. 65.

[8] Naughton, L. (1993) US Football. Evening Herald. 22 July, p. Sport 1.

[9] Anon. (1993) US Football. Irish Independent. Monday, June 14, 1993. pg.24.

[10] Anon. (1993) US Football. Evening Herald. Monday, June 14, 1993. pg.46.

[11] (1993) American Football comes to Westport next Sunday. Connaught Telegraph. 30 June, p. 23.

[12] (1993) American Football – A first for Mayo. Mayo News. 30 June, p. 40

Images

[11] Irish American Football Association (2018) Nostalgia – A look a some pictures from the archives [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171016_165339-1024×768.jpg [Accessed 3 July 2018]

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: 8 February 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.

League Table

Playoff Results

Regular Season Results

Report

With an All-Ireland American Football League again being played, under the authority of the American Football association of Ireland, after a year where the Dublin Celts played in the NCMMA (British Second Level) and a separate Irish League of American Football in Northern Ireland, the Dublin Celts showed their superiority with a resounding 66-6 win against the Belfast Spartans in the Shamrock Bowl. The Spartans were also using a few guest players from other All-Ireland League teams.

The Dublin Celts had gone through the season undefeated, and the Belfast Spartans and Antrim Bulldogs had both finished on 4-3-1 (Won-Lost-Tied) records, with the Dublin Tornadoes finishing in fourth on 3-5. Newtownabbey Warriors, playing their debut season following the merger of the Carrickfergus Cougars and Coleraine Chieftains, finished bottom and the Craigavon Cowboys had pulled out before the start, leaving a five-team league.

Home Venues

References

Newspapers

[2] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tornadoes are flying”, Evening Herald. Thursday, April 18, 1991, pg. 56.

[3] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Look out for the Dublin Tornadoes”, Evening Herald. Thursday, May 9, 1991, pg. 55.

[4] Anon. (1991) “TODAY: AMERICAN FOOTBALL”, Irish Press. Saturday, May 11, 1991, pg. 46.

[5] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Spartans supreme”, Evening Herald. Thursday, May 16, 1991, pg. 62.

[6] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tornadoes all the way”, Evening Herald. Thursday, June 13, 1991, pg. 60.

[7] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Defensive Tornadoes do it”, Evening Herald. Thursday, June 27, 1991, pg. 59.

[8] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: CELTS STAY UNBEATEN”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 25, 1991, pg. 55.

[9] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tornadoes toppled!”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 15, 1991, pg. 44.

[10] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: CELTS TOP LEAGUE”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 22, 1991, pg. 53.

[11] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tip-toe around American grid!”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 26, 1991, pg. 91.

[12] Traynor, Jonathan (1991) “American Football: Clash of Titans!” Sunday Life May 28, 1991. pg. 46

[13] Anon. (1991) “Scoreboard: Gridiron” Sunday Life June 2, 1991. pg. 53

[14] Anon. (1991) “Gridiron: Antrim Dawgs go for walkies” Sunday Life June 9, 1991. pg. 41

[15] Anon. (1991) “American Football: Rows spoil Irish scene” Sunday Life July 28, 1991. pg. 43

[16] Berry, Lee (1992) “Moon Ready to Belt the Celts” First Down March 28, 1992. pg. 18 [Available on the Internet at Dublin Celts | Facebook (2019) Post to Page by Dermot Connolly September 8, 1992 “Blast from the past… clearing out the attic” [Internet] available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219514768330762&set=pcb.975213116205143&type=3&theater&ifg=1 [Accessed 5 October 1992]

[17] Anon. (1991) “Spartans win Junior crown after thriller” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, August 26, 1991. pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[18] Anon. (1991) “Bowl back in Dublin” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, September 30, 1991. pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[19] Anon. (1991) “Buldogs tied up”Belfast Telegraph. Monday, August 12, 1991. pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

Websites

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

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Ronan O’Brien & Paul O’Reilly

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy

for the Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 8 February 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy & Eirball 2019

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

League Table

Playoff Results

19

[15][17]

Regular Season Results

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Week 7: 2 August 1992

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

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

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 athird with Garry Graham adding the extra-point.[15]

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]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith 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: 28 January 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.

Final Standings

Note: * Qualify for Playoffs. Belfast Giants pulled out of the league before the season started in a row over scheduling, no results recorded.

Playoff Results

Regular Season Results

Report

The Dublin Celts won their second Shamrock Bowl 34-6 over the Belfast Blitzers in a surprisingly one-sided game considering the teams had split their two regular season games.

The two teams were well above everyone else, only losing to each other, with Craigavon Cowboys and Belfast Spartans winning three each to qualify for the semi-finals. Carrickfergus Cougars and Dublin Tornadoes both picked up easy wins against Coleraine Chieftains, otherwise losing all their matches. The Chieftains managed a shock tie with the Spartans to avoid a complete losing season.

The Belfast Blitzers were made to work hard against the Craigavon Cowboys in the Playoffs but eventually prevailed 26-12 to reach their first Shamrock Bowl, while the Celts made light work of the Spartans, winning 45-6, before the victory over the Blitzers in Shamrock Bowl III.

About

The 1988 season was the third of the Irish American Football League. 7 teams entered, down from 11 the previous season. New Teams: None. Non-Returning Teams: East Side Jets, Jordanstown Jaguars, Bangor Buccaneers. Belfast Giants went on hiatus for one season.

The top 4 teams from 1987 were placed in the National Conference, and the other three in the Irish Conference. After an unbalanced schedule of 6 games, the top 4 teams overall reached the Playoffs.

References

Sources

[2] (1988) “Celts’ home debut” Irish Independent. 14 May 1988. pg. 22

[3] (1988) “American Football” Irish Press. 30 May 1988. pg. 46

[4] (1988) “Scoreboard” American Football News. 28 July 1988. pg.

[5] (1988) “Ireland” American Football News. 18 August 1988. pg.

[6] (1988) “Shamrock Bowl report” American Football News. 29 September 1988. pg. 22

Websites

[1] Britball Now (2016) Results Section [1988] [Other Kitted] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 27 February 2017]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to John Malone, Tony Meenaghan, Declan Mulvey & John O’Reilly

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 27 July 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2020

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