Preseason Standings
IAFL Tara Conference Preseason 1987
| Pos | Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Net Pts | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Craigavon Cowboys | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 26 | 0 | 26 | W1 |
| 2 |  Belfast Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Dublin Celts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Jordanstown Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bangor Buccaneers | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.000 | 2 | 33 | -31 | L2 |
| 6 |  Belfast Spartans | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.000 | 19 | 59 | -40 | L2 |
IAFL Mourne Conference Preseason 1987
| Pos | Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Net Pts | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  East Side Jets | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 13 | 2 | 11 | W2 |
| 2 |  Belfast Blitzers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 45 | 6 | 39 | W1 |
| 3 | Carrickfergus Cougars | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 14 | 13 | 1 | W1 |
| 4 |  Coleraine Chieftains | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Dublin Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Aldergrove Hawks | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 6 | -6 | L1 |
Preseason Results
Note: Click on the individual matches to be brought to an article detailing the scorers, match reports and box-scores for the game in question.
Irish American Football League Preseason 1987
| Match Day Preseason Week 1 |
|---|
|
(Preseason Week 1)
0 - 6Aldergrove Hawks vs East Side Jets |
| Match Day Preseason Week 2 |
|
(Preseason Week 2)
7 - 2East Side Jets vs Bangor Buccaneers |
| Match Day Preseason Week 5 |
|
(Preseason Week 5)
0 - 26Bangor Buccaneers vs Craigavon Cowboys |
| Match Day Preseason Week 6 |
|
(Preseason Week 6)
14 - 13Carrickfergus Cougars vs Belfast Spartans |
| Match Day Preseason Week 4 |
|
(Preseason Week 4)
45 - 6Belfast Blitzers vs Belfast Spartans |
REPORT
The East Side Jets, from Castlereagh in East Belfast, made a successful start to their Irish American Football preseason, winning 6-0 on their debut against Aldergove Hawks, at RAF Aldergrove in Antrim, before defeating Bangor Buccaneers 7-2 on their home debut, with a fourth quarter touchdown from Mark Dunwoody, who ran in from 25 yards out.
The Craigavon Cowboys won 26-0 against Bangor Buccaneers, with Shamrock Bowl I MVP (Most Valuable Player) from 1986, Nigel Trimble scoring a 21-yard run, which John Mulally added to with a reception from QB Geoff Donaghy. There was a second passing TD in the second half as Brendan McAleese added a reception, and then Stanley Kingsmill finished off the scoring with a 9 yard run. McAleese also scored two extra points.
Belfast Blitzers defeated Belfast Spartans 45-6 at Musgrave Park in Belfast at the end of March.
In the final Preseason match of 1987, Carrickfergus Cougars came from behind to defeat Belfast Spartans. Hollowell had put the Spartans 7-6 up with a TD which was converted, and then Hollowell put the Spartans further ahead with a second touchdown just after halftime. With only two minutes left on the clock, the Cougars struck back, with a TD, adding a two-point conversion, to lead 14-13, which they held despite a late Spartans drive, which left them in Field Goal position. the Cougars managed to block the FG, though, to seal the win.
REFERENCES
[1] Anon. (1987) “Successful start by Belfast Jets” Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, March 17, 1987. pg. 21 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[2] Anon. (1987) “Cowboys in runaway win” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, April 6, 1987. pg. 17 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[3] Anon. (1987) “Cougars hit back – snatch late victory” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, April 13, 1987. pg. 21 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.
[4] Anon. (1987) “Weekend Sport: US Football” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, March 30, 1987. Pg. 19
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers) and Jo Buchanan (Craigavon Cowboys).
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the
Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive
Last Updated: 12 August 2021
(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2021
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