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According to a news report in Quarterback UK, the Dublin Celts, formed less than a year previously, and only having just received their playing gear, were already turning out to be a “formidable outfit” with a running-game similar to USA’s College Giants the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Directed by Kevin Kelly at Quarterback, the Dublin Celts out-played the Bristol Bombers, of Britain, 32-0, with Glenn Webster the star of the day, running in three touchdowns. Joe Moore and Wide Receiver Declan Docherty added the other two touchdowns for the vistitors in front of 500 locals at Whitchurch Stadium in Bristol, on a chilly Sunday in October.

It was not all offense for the Celts, as their defense held the Bombers up all day, with two interceptions courtesy of Martin Murphy, who ran his interception back 62 yards; and Steven Kavanagh.

With only four teams in Ireland at the time (the Celts joined by Coleraine Chieftains, Belfast Blitzers and Craigavon Cowboys) and over 100 in Britain, the result bode well for the game in Ireland. [See References: 5]

About Gridiron Football

American Football, also known as Gridiron Football, is an American sport derived from the same roots as Rugby Union, Gaelic Football and Soccer. It is 11-a-side and was popularised in Britain by Channel 4 Television who introduced the sport to British viewers in 1983. RTE Television in Ireland followed suit a couple of years later.

The Celts game in Bristol versus the Bombers was the first game of its’ kind involving a team made up of Irish players. [See References: 5]

References

Programme

Dublin Celts (Facebook) (2018) Post, August 2, 2018 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/259540917772370/permalink/718640911862366/ [Accessed: 29 November 2018][Last Accessed 17 June 2025]

Dublin Celts (Facebook) (2018) Post, August 2, 2018 [Internet] Available from:  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2020590151588129&set=g.259540917772370[Accessed: 29 November 2018][Last Accessed 17 June 2025]

Dublin Celts (Facebook) (2018) Post, August 2, 2018: Bombers [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2020590171588127&set=pcb.718640911862366 [Accessed: 29 November 2018][Last Accessed 17 June 2025]

Dublin Celts (Facebook) (2018) Post, August 2, 2018: Celts [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2020590271588117&set=pcb.718640911862366 [Accessed: 29 November 2018][Last Accessed 17 June 2025]

Newspaper Reports

Anon. (1985) IRISH VISITORS – BOMBERS DOWNED Quarterback UK. November 1, 1985. pg. 15. Published by C.S.L. Ltd, Goodhead Press Ltd, at Chaucer International Estate, Launton Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX6 7QZ

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Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 17 June 2025

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