Junior Contact 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 gthe day it could be 6v6; 7v7; 8v8 or 9v9. Includes Early Pre-Pads American Football 1983-1991

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]

variety of sport trophies
Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

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 / Youth Kitted Football

American Football Ireland Youth Kitted League 2013-Present; NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League Two-Touch 1991-1994; Youth Challenge Games 1995-2012

Junior / Youth Kitted Finals

American Football Ireland Youth Kitted Finals 2013-Present

Junior / Youth Kitted Standings

Irish American Football Association Youth Kitted League 2013-2019

Northern Ireland Junior American League 1991-1992

Junior / Youth Kitted Results

AFI Youth League (Seasons): 2020

IAFA Youth Kitted League (Seasons):

 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

IAFA Youth Cups, Leagues and Tournaments (Seasons): 

2009 2008 2007 2006

AFAI Junior Kitted Challenge (Seasons): 1994

NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League (Kitted – Seasons): 

1994 1992 1991

NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League (Kitted – Preseasons): 

1991

Junior / Youth Kitted Box-Scores

Youth Internationals (Club):

UK & Ireland Youth Kitted Football | Exhibition 1998 Box Score

a pigskin football and a silver trophy
Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

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]

Junior Two Touch American Football

NIAFA Northern Ireland Junior American League Two-Touch 1986-1990; ICAF Youth Blitz 1991; East Coast Junior Football Association 1985-1986

Junior Two Touch Results

ICAF Junior Touch American Football Blitz (Seasons)1991

Northern Ireland Junior American League (Seasons): 1990 1988 1987 1986

East Coast Junior Football Association (Seasons): 1987 1986 

Northern Ireland Junior American League (Preseasons): 1990