Irish 8v8 American Football

This is the Index Page to the All-Time Archive of 8v8 American Football (Contact) in Ireland. This version of American Football is designed to facilitate the playing of American Football in 3 areas of competition: (1) Junior Kitted Teams. (2) Small Towns; and (3) 11v11 Teams to field 2nds Teams. Depending on the numbers that turn up on the day it could be 6v6; 7v7; 8v8 or 9v9. Includes Early Pre-Pads American Football 1983-1991

Header Photo Credit

Header Picture Credit: [1] Hogan, Sean (2016) “Kildare’s American football team crowned All Ireland champs”. Kildare Now. 26 October, 2016. [Internet] Available from: https://www.kildarenow.com/upload/2016/10/26122252/IMG_1564-e1477481286183.jpg [Accessed 30 January 2020]

Junior / Youth Kitted Football

The first Junior / Youth Kitted American Football League was created in 1991, when the Northern Ireland Junior American League made the step up from Two-Touch to Kitted. It lasted two seasons, and from then the Ballymena Wolfhounds played international exhibition games against British opposition as they had no opposition in Ireland.

In the 2000s there were a number of exhibition games played among Junior Kitted teams, and in 2013 the first IAFA Junior Kitted Programme was officially launched, with a 7-team League, playing 7v7, 8v8, 9v9 Kitted Football (depending on the numbers on the day) in 2019.

There has also been 6v6 Junior Kitted American Football.

Junior Two Touch American Football

From 1986 to 1991, before Flags were brought in, there were a number of Junior Two-Touch Leagues organised by regional development bodies, such as the East Coast Junior Football Association (Greater Dublin Area) from 1986 to 1987, and the Northern Ireland Junior American League which ran from 1988 to 1990, when it became fully kitted. In 1991, a Junior Two-Touch American Football Blitz took place in Tymon Park, Tallaght. These Leagues were Two-Touch, although it was only the ball carrier who had to be touched twice, all other ;positions were full contact (i.e. Blocking etc.)

[References: Andrew Wilson’s reply to Eirball’s post, March 27, 2020 [Internet] Available at : https://www.facebook.com/eirballenda/posts/2433567573622264?comment_id=2696161900696162&notif_id=1612882525056885&notif_t=feed_comment&ref=notif [Accessed 11 February 2021]

DV8 Development League / Blitzes

The first DV8 Development Mini-League was created in 1993, for smaller teams like the Ardee Falcons (Co. Louth), and Dublin Tornadoes Vets (2nds team). Blitzes were played over the following 10 years, with another Mini-League (IAFL Division 2) created in 2003. Again Blitzes were employed up until the creation of the DV8 Development League in 2008, which lasted until 2012, when the League became the full 11v11 IAFL 1 Conference. The DV8 format was then used for the Junior Kitted League.

Early Pre-Pads American Football

Beginning with a match in Banbridge between two teams of specially trained Rugby players for American Indendence Day in 1983 through to the first Irish American Football League season in 1986, non-kitted contact Football was played between Irish teams due to the huge cost involved in getting helmets and padding imported into the country from USA. By 1987 all teams were now fully kittted and the League played its first full season. The non-kitted version of American Football would have been very like the early days of the NFL or Ohio League from 1900 to 1930s, or more modern day pick-up games in parks throughout the United States. These non-pad, non-helmet pick-up games have recently been codified by the American 7s Football League, which has similar rules to 8v8 Football such as Arena / Indoor Football.

Irish 8v8 American Football Teams

This is the Eirball Index Page to the History, Results and Rosters of Irish 8v8 American Football (also known as Arena or Indoor Football) was invented in the USA to help smaller towns, colleges and High Schools play Football. It is most popular in Mexico. American Football Ireland runs Leagues for three types of 8v8 Teams: Youth Contact, Smaller Towns and 2nds Teams. It is also hoping to start an 8v8 Blitz for Women. The Leagues can also be 7v7 and 9v9 depending on the numbers of players on the day.

Youth Contact 8v8 Teams

Smaller Towns 8v8 Teams

American Football Ireland 2nds Teams (8v8)