IAFL 1987 Scoreboard
– Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
IAFL 1987 Final Standings
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
IAFL Mourne Conference 1987
| Pos | Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Net Pts | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0.900 | 449 | 47 | 402 | W2 |
| 2 |  | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0.600 | 121 | 164 | -43 | L1 |
| 3 |  | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0.400 | 99 | 126 | -27 | L1 |
| 4 |  | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0.100 | 58 | 234 | -176 | L6 |
| 5 |  | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0.100 | 10 | 284 | -274 | W1 |
IAFL Tara Conference 1987
| Pos | Team | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA | Net Pts | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 246 | 64 | 182 | W10 |
| 2 |  | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0.800 | 258 | 59 | 199 | W3 |
| 3 |  | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0.700 | 152 | 72 | 80 | W2 |
| 4 |  | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0.400 | 67 | 221 | -154 | W1 |
| 5 |  | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0.300 | 45 | 175 | -130 | L4 |
| 6 |  | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0.200 | 15 | 74 | -59 | L3 |
Standings calculated from Schedule. Please see References [11-37]
IAFL 1987 Schedule and Results
– Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
IAFL 1987 Playoff Schedule
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
Irish American Football League Playoffs 1987
| Match Day Semi-Finals |
|---|
|
(Semi-Finals)
20 - 28N/A Belfast Blitzers vs Craigavon Cowboys |
|
(Semi-Finals)
43 - 0N/A Dublin Celts vs Belfast Giants |
| Match Day Shamrock Bowl II |
|
(Shamrock Bowl II)
43 - 25N/A Dublin Celts vs Craigavon Cowboys |
Please see References [12; 38]
IAFL 1987 Regular Season Schedule
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
Note: Match Reports and Scorers are available to view by clicking on Individual Game Results in the Schedule.
Irish American Football League Regular Season 1987
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.
IAFL 1987 Week-by-Week Report
– Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
IAFL 1987 Week 1 Report – 26 April 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 2 Report – 3 May 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 3 Report – 10 May 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 4 Report – 17 May 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 5 Report – 24 May 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 6 Report – 31 May 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 7 Report – 7 June 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 8 Report – 14 June 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 9 Report – 21 June 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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.
IAFL 1987 Week 10 Report – 28 June 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 11 Report – 5 July 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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].
IAFL 1987 Week 12 Report – 12 July 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 13 Report – 19 July 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 14 Report – 26 July 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 15 Report – 2 August 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 16 Report – 16 August 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 17 Report – 23 August 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Week 18 Report – 30 August 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Awarded Games – 6 September1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Semi-Final Playoffs Report – 12-13 September 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
IAFL 1987 Shamrock Bowl II (26 September 1987, NIFC, Belfast)
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season | Match Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 26, 1987 | 3:00 pm | Irish American Football League | 1987 | Shamrock Bowl II |
Results
| Team | T |
|---|---|
| Dublin Celts | 43 |
| Craigavon Cowboys | 25 |
Dublin Celts
| # | Player | Position | TD | FG | Safety | PAT | 2XP | Comp | Att | Pass Yds | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rec | Rec Yds | Int | Lng | Fum | Lost | FR | Tckl | Solo | Asst | Sack | PR | KR | Punt | PYds | PAvg | BFG | OR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | Declan Doherty | Wide receiver | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ian Biddulph | - | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Martin Murphy | Running back | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 75 | Noel Doolan | Nose Tackle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Craigavon Cowboys
| # | Player | Position | TD | FG | Safety | PAT | 2XP | Comp | Att | Pass Yds | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rec | Rec Yds | Int | Lng | Fum | Lost | FR | Tckl | Solo | Asst | Sack | PR | KR | Punt | PYds | PAvg | BFG | OR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J McAleese | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Brendan McAleese | Wide receiver | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Roger Heasley | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| M Briggs | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scorers
Dublin Celts: Declan 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)References
[1] 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] [2] 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] [3] Irish Press (1987) “American Football” Irish Independent. Monday, September 28, 1987. pg. 11 [Internet] Available from: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ [Accessed 13 October 2018] [4] 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#Ar00415About AFAI and 1987 IAFL Season
– Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
IAFL 1987 Team Map
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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 IAFL 1987
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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 (1986-2000)
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
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]
About American Gridiron Football
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
American Football is a North American version of Football, dating back over 100 years and resembling Rugby more than Soccer but played with 11 players on each team on the field at any one time (as in Soccer rather than Rugby). There is unlimited substitution in the Stateside-version of the game and Offense (Attack) and Defense have two entirely separate squads within each team – when the attacking teams’ Offense is on the field the opposing teams Defense is also on the field and vice-versa.
Scoring is by primarily by running or passing the ball into the opposing teams’ Endzone (a 15-yard area at either end of the 100-yard field) to score a Touchdown – worth 7 points – although despite the name and unlike in Rugby when scoring a Try this does not have to be touched down for the score to count – the ball just has to pass the ‘plane’ of the Endzone cleanly – in other words with the scoring players both feet in bounds and in clear possession of the ball). A TD is converted by the choice of either kicking the ball through the uprights (posts) for 1 point or by passing or running it successfully into the endzone for 2 points (this is in addition to the 6 points for the Touchdown (TD).
If a Touchdown appears unlikely during the attacking teams’ ‘Drive’ they can opt to kick a Field Goal worth 3 points. A ‘Drive’ is the cumulated plays of a teams’ single possession, and ends with either a score or a turnover – a change of possession such a pass being intercepted or the ball being ‘fumbled’ (dropped) and being recovered by the opposition. If a team is not within scoring range it may opt to ‘punt’ the ball – kick it back into the opposing teams’ end to gain better field position – and in doing so handing possession back to the opposition.
A third way of scoring is by a Safety – usually a defensive score whereby the ball carrier is tackled in his own Endzone. A Safety is Worth 2 Points.
Each game is 60 minutes long – divided into 4 quarters of 15 minutes – although unlike Rugby, Soccer or GAA there is no running clock, with the clock being stopped every time the ball is ‘dead’ – in other words goes out of the playing area or in other cases such as a score, incomplete pass or change of possession. Each game thus lasts up to 3 hours 30 minutes or sometimes more.
The National Football League (NFL) in USA is the Major Professional League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Football programmes are also very big in USA.
References, Citations and About Eirball
– Photo by Ricardo CL on Pexels.com
Map References
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
[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
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
[IAFL-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]
[IAFL-2] Coleraine Chieftans (2002) Coleraine Chieftans: Chief Image [Internet] Available from: http://www.thecolerainechieftans.freeservers.com/images/chief.gif [Accessed 18 July 2018]
[IAFL-4] Belfast Blitzers Facebook (2023) Profile Image, January 25, 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=482004857456761&set=a.482004844123429 [Last Accessed 12 October 2025]
[IAFL-5] Craigavon Cowboys – Twitter Account (2018) Profile Picture [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/864100166680424448/TCauLbnj_400x400.jpg [Accessed 22 July 2018]
[IAFL-6] Neil Robertshaw (1987) “Irish Eyes Are Smiling” Gridiron, June 1987, Issue 36. pg. 48-49. Published by Gridiron, High Street, Christchurch, Dorset. Executive editor: Bob Goddard. Editor: Nick Halling (1987)
Based on Robertshaw’s article – the most likely logo utilised by Carrickfergus Cougars is Princeton Tigers’ Logo from 1974-1977 as per Helmethistory.com [Reference L-2] or 1984-2004 as per Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos [Reference: L-3]. As per the article by Robershaw, the Cougars’ received more than 38 full kits from Yale starting quarteback Kelly Ryan, gathered from old Princeton Tigers, Yale and Harvard University kit, including as per photograph of Cougars president Mervyn Robinson decked out in the full kit in the article: Princeton Helmets and Shirts, Yale shoulder pads and Harvard pants and shoes. Note: The Logo utilised here on eirball.ie is downloaded from Chris Creamer’s SportLogos.net – As per request citation is given. Logo has been amended with an orange background for eirball.ie by Enda Mulcahy on 15 September 2025. Please purchase Chris’ brilliant SportsLogo illustrated history books, of which the author of eirball.ie has purchased a number of. This request is unsolicited and unpaid for, and is a small bit of gratitude for providing such a wonderful resource.
[IAFL-6B] Helmethistory.com (2025) Princeton [Internet] Availbale from: https://www.helmethistory.com/princeton.html [Accessed 15 September 2025]
[IAFL-6C] Chris Creamer’s SportsLogos (2025) Princeton Tigers Primary Logo 1984-2004 [Internet] Available from: https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/ganu2ck9p7ihrigny8hv/Princeton-Tigers-Logo/1984/Primary-Logo [Accessed 15 September 2025]
[IAFL-7] 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]
[IAFL-8] Britball Now (2016) Bangor Buccaneers [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/BangorBuccaneers.htm [Accessed 23 March 2018][Bangor Buccaneers Colours found at Britball Now website]
[IAFL-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]
[IAFL-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]
[IAFL-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]
[IAFL-11] Dublin Tornadoes Football Helmet – Authors’ Personal Collection – Purchased at http://www.417helmets.com
Scoreboard References
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
[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 References
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
[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 this Document
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the
Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive
Last Updated: 13 October 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.
About Eirball
– Photo by Jean Daniel Francouer on Pexels.com
Eirball is an Archive of Irish, North American and World Sports Results and Statistics, with a focus primarily on the sports’ respective leagues in Ireland and Irish-born players abroad. It is the work of Enda Mulcahy. Eirball.ie is the Gridiron Football (American Football) subsite of the Eirball.sport main landing site.