Major Alternative Football Leagues Final Standings 2021

Canadian Football League 2021

CFL Logo [Reference: 1]

Canadian Football League East Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
195018309318-9L1
28601631224468W1
37701434630541L1
431106224384-160W1

Canadian Football League West Division 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
1113020361188173L2
2950182902846L1
38601631526352W3
459010312351-39W1
531106246378-132L1

CFL Canadian Football League Playoffs 2021
Match Day Western Final
(Western Final)
21 - 17

Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs Saskatchewan Roughriders

Match Day Eastern Semi-Final
(Eastern Semi-Final)
23 - 12

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Montreal Alouettes

Match Day Western Semi-Final
(Western Semi-Final)
33 OT - 30

Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Calgary Stampeders

Match Day Eastern Final
(Eastern Final)
19 - 27

Toronto Argonauts vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Match Day 108th Grey Cup
(108th Grey Cup)
25 - 33

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers

References: [2] (Standings Calculated Automatically).

Japan X-League X1 Super 2021

Japan X-League Logo. References: [3]

JAFA Japan X-League X1 Super 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
17002127160211W7
261018217113104W1
3520151556194L1
433110223249-26W3
53409148153-5W1
62506112237-125L1
71514115172-57L5
8070024220-196L7

JAFA Japan X-League X1 Super Playoffs 2021
Match Day Semi-Finals
(Semi-Finals)
17 - 10

Fujitsu Frontiers vs Obic Seagulls

(Semi-Finals)
38 - 31

Panasonic Impulse vs IBM Big Blue

Match Day 75th Rice Bowl
(75th Rice Bowl)
18 - 24

Panasonic Impulse vs Fujitsu Frontiers

References: [4, 5][Standings Calculated Automatically]

European League of Football 2021

European League of Football Logo
European League of Football Logo. References: [6]

European League of Football Division North 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPAStreak
17300.700274178L2
26400.600314259W3
35500.500295320L1
43700.300228289W1

European League of Football Division South 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPAStreak
19100.900357132W9
25500.500320365L1
33700.300230277L2
42800.200157355L6

European League of Football Playoffs 2021
Match Day Semi-Finals
(Semi-Finals)
30 - 27

Hamburg Sea Devils vs Panthers Wroclaw

Match Day Championship Game
(Championship Game)
32 - 30

Frankfurt Galaxy vs Hamburg Sea Devils

Match Day Semi-Finals
(Semi-Finals)
36 - 6

Frankfurt Galaxy vs Cologne Centurions

References: [7, 8]

The Spring League 2021

The Spring League Logo
The Spring League Logo. References: [12]
The Spring League 2021PWLTPFPAPct
TSL North (Indianapolis)
Linemen (C)6510177117.833
Conquerors6420164118.667
Alphas6330118137.500
Aviators606053140.000
TSL South (Houston)
Jousters (C)642012162.667
Generals6420131104.667
Blues633078107.500
Sea Lions615090141.250
[References: Compiled from results in 13-14]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Mega Bowl ChampionshipRice Stadium, Houston, TX
19/06/2021Linemen26Jousters23
[References: 13-14]

Recap

The Major Alternative Football Leagues of 2021 were The Spring League which kicked off its 5th season this year, with a major expansion, adding a second hub city and four teams to its schedule, the European League of Football, Japan X-League X1 Super, and the Canadian Football League.

The Linemen won TSL North in Indianapolis with a 5-1 record and the Jousters were Champions of TSL South in Houston with a 4-2 record. In a close Mega Bowl Linemen defeated Jousters 26-23 [13-14]. Tadhg Leader, former Connacht Rugby player, who was born in Ireland, played kicker for the Aviators who finished 0-6 in the TSL North [8-10].

Following the TSL season, Tadhg Leader moved on to play for Panthers Wroclaw of Poland in the European League of Football, along with a young Tallaght, South Dublin County native Kevin Mayo. The Panthers finished the season 6-4 in the ELF North but lost the Semi-Final 27-30 at Hamburg Sea Devils, who finished runners-up to ELF South Champions Frankfurt Galaxy (9-1) who won the ELF Championship Game 32-30 in an even closer game than the TSL Mega Bowl [7-8].

By the Fall the Japan X-League had kicked off and the 6-1 Fujitsu Frontiers upset the 7-0 Panasonic Impulse 24-20 in the Rice Bowl [4-5]. This was the first year the JXL had sole ownership of the Rice Bowl, previously the X-League Champions contested the Rice Bowl with the College Champions in Japan.

The Canadian Football League, the biggest of the Major Alternative Football Leagues played a covid-shortened 14-game schedule, with newly renamed Edmonton Elks struggling to a 3-11 record, worst in the CFL. The big news on the Football field however was Winnipeg Blue Bombers who went 11-3 in winning the CFL West before triumphing 33-25 against Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-6) who had upset CFL East Champions Toronto Argonauts 27-19 in the Eastern Final [2].

Tadhg Leader – Irish-born Player (Panthers Wroclaw ELF and Aviators TSL)

Former Connacht Rugby player Tadhg Leader was born in Galway, Ireland. At the age of 15 he and his brother Darragh headed out to kick some Rugby balls at their local pitch on Christmas Day. His dad, a former Galwegians RFC Rugby player made a bet with them that they could not kick the ball over the bars from the halfway line. Both Tadhg and his brother Darragh won €50 each.

Tadhg went on to play Rugby Professionally for Connacht and Darragh now lives in USA where he coaches at Clemson University Tigers. Tadhg suffered a number of injuries during his last few years at Connacht and after playing in Italy he ended up studying in USA and playing for both New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby and making his Test debut for USA Eagles Rugby Union National Team.

Tadhg was signed up to play another year of Rugby Union in 2021 when the kicker started kicking American Footballs for fun. People took notice and said he should try out for American Football teams and so he went off to San Diego where he was kicking alongside Super Bowl-winning athletes. Unsure of his own ability he asked John Carney, who has 23 years of experience kicking Footballs and Carney said he could mix it with the NFL players.

Before long Leader found himself playing for the Aviators in The Spring League in USA. The Aviatiors, one of four teams based in Indianapolis, a COVID-19 Pod and one of two Pods in the 8-team league in 2021 finished with an 0-6 record in 2021. On May 7 versus Alphas Tadhg Leader scored the first points of his American Football career kicking a Field Goal to make the score Aviators 3 Alphas 7 at Halftime.

After spending Spring in Indianapolis with the Aviators Tadhg signed for Panthers Wroclaw in the European League of Football, making his debut on opening day in a 55-39 victory over Cologne Centurions. [References: 8-10]

Kevin Mayo – Irish Player (Panthers Wroclaw ELF)

Kevin Mayo, who is from Tallaght, South Dublin Co. in Ireland, and had previously played for the South Dublin Panthers in the American Football Ireland League joined the Panthers Wroclaw at the tail end of the season after being picked up by North Park University in Chicago, an NCAA Division III College.

CFL References

LOGOS

[1] Sports Logos (2021) 2757__canadian_football_league-primary-2016 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/2573/full/2757__canadian_football_league-primary-2016.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

REFERENCES

[2] Canadian Football League (2021) Schedule 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/2021/ [Accessed 31 July 2021]

Japan X-League References

IMAGES

[3] X-League (2020) logo_xleague [Internet] Available from: https://s3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/xleague/images/logo_xleague.jpg [Accessed 7 March 2021]

STANDINGS

[4] X-League (2021) Standings [Internet] Available from: https://xleague.jp/standing [Accessed 13 December 2021]

[5] X-League (2021) Score [Internet] Available from: https://xleague.jp/score [Accessed 4 August 2021]

ELF References

[6] European League of Football Facebook Page (2021) Profile Picture, February 4, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/europeanleagueoffootball/photos/a.100150555247238/159345569327736/ [Accessed 27 April 2021]

[7] European League of Football (2021) Stats [Internet] Available from: https://europeanleague.football/stats [Accessed 10 November 2021]

[8] European League of Football (2021) Schedule [Internet] Available from: https://europeanleague.football/schedule [Accessed 11 July 2021]

[9] South Dublin Panthers (2021) Post to Page 2 December 2021: “Great Interview!” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/southdublinpanthers/posts/309142057879208 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[10] The Liberty (2021) Leader and Mayo: Meet the two Irishmen with the NFL in their sights [Internet] Available from: https://www.theliberty.ie/2021/12/01/leader-and-mayo-meet-the-two-irishmen-with-the-nfl-in-their-sights/?fbclid=IwAR1g3KnLD1lmr5GsnTTOrYiBJpVYPuyZzhjcgWKz54lKAc1ychvTjBiYwqA [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[11] Rugby Players Ireland (2021) The Journey Continues for Tadhg Leader [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 3 December 2021]

The Spring League References

[12] The Spring League (2017) Profile Picture August 13, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68494309_2435273623417739_8497449137069883392_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ohc=osM0If13hRYAX9kbxYM&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=3d2ef90b030c12beaf5c4be4b091d540&oe=5E9E9711%5BAccessed 25 January 2020]

[13] The Spring League (2021) Schedule [Internet] Available from: https://thespringleague.com/?page_id=5732 [Accessed 20 June 2021]

[14] The Spring League (2021) League [Internet] Available from: https://thespringleague.com/?page_id=136 [Accessed 6 May 2021]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Steve Hearn and Anton “Pippo” O’Grady, Bart Barden, Carmine, Tomasz and Todd Zboyan (Dublin Bay Raptors)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish, North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 7 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2021-2022

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.

Major League Football 2022

Major League Football Logo [References: 1]

MLF Eastern Conference Teams

MLF Eastern Conference North 2022

PosTeam
0New Jersey
0New York
0Philadelphia
0Virginia MLF

MLF Eastern Conference South 2022

PosTeam
0Atlanta
0Miami
0Orlando
0South Carolina

MLF Eastern Conference West 2022

PosTeam
0Chicago
0Cincinnati
0Cleveland
0West Virginia

MLF Eastern Conference East 2022

PosTeam
0Alabama
0Kentucky
0Mississippi
0New Orleans

MLF Western Conference North 2022

PosTeam
0Maryland
0North Carolina
0Oakland
0Sacramento

MLF Western Conference

MLF Western Conference North 2022

PosTeam
0Maryland
0North Carolina
0Oakland
0Sacramento

MLF Western Conference South 2022

PosTeam
0Austin
0Dallas
0Houston
0San Antonio

MLF Western Conference West 2022

PosTeam
0Los Angeles
0Nebraska
0San Diego
0San Jose

MLF Western Conference East 2022

PosTeam
0Arkansas
0Memphis
0Oklahoma
0St. Louis

About

Major League Football (MLF) is a Professional American Football League intended to start play in Fall 2022, which would put it in direct competition with the National Football League (NFL) which is the 100-year old established Professional American Football League, which has to date seen off all challenges to its position as the number 1 Professional League, although it had to absorb a successful alternative in the American Football League (AFL) of the 1960s (see https://eirball.ie/national-football-league/ for more details on the NFL and https://eirball.ie/american-football-leagues/ for more details on Alternative Leagues to the NFL).

Some Leagues never even start, and considering the Major League Football of 2022 has not yet announced team names, stadia, ownership groups or any other details such as media partners and player tryouts as of 7 January 2022 and is intending to play in the Fall of 2022 it is most likely to fall into this latter category. It has announced it is starting with 32 teams, just like the Trinity Professional Spring Football League which also named only cities and states where teams were to be based and no other details. (see https://eirball.ie/failed-american-football-leagues/ )

Major League Football is intending to go directly head-to-head with the NFL in 14 Markets as well as in the Fall. These markets are: New Jersey (NFLs Jets and Giants), Philadelphia (NFLs Eagles), Miami (NFLs Dolphins), Atlanta (NFLs Falcons), Cleveland (NFLs Browns), Chicago (NFLs Bears), Cincinnati (NFLs Bengals), New Orleans (NFLs Saints), Maryland (NFLs Baltimore Ravens), North Carolina (NFLs Carolina Panthers), Dallas (NFLs Cowboys), Houston (NFLs Texans), Los Angeles (NFLs Rams and Chargers) and San Jose (NFLs San Francisco 49ers). [References: 27]

In addition to those 14 NFL markets, the MLF is intending to put teams in Oakland, San Diego and St. Louis which were all vacated by NFL teams recently, and 10 markets which previously held Alternative League teams: New York (teams in USFL, XFL), Virginia (UFL), Orlando (USFL, WLAF, UFL, XFL), Alabama (Birmingham: USFL, WLAF, AAF, XFL), Sacramento (WLAF, CFL USA, UFL), Austin (AFA), San Antonio (USFL, WLAF, CFL USA), Nebraska (Omaha, UFL), Memphis (USFL, XFL) and Oklahoma (USFL) [References: 3-26]

The last 5 markets the MLF is intending to put teams in have never had either a Major Alternative Football League team or National Football League team in the modern era. These markets are: South Carolina, West Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky and Arkansas.

Image References

[1] Major League Football (2022) MLF [Internet] Available from: http://majorleaguefootball.pro/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MLF.png [Accessed 7 January 2022]

References

[2] Major League Football (2022) About [Internet] Available from: http://majorleaguefootball.pro/#about [Accessed 7 January 2022]

USFL References

WEBSITES

[3] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[4] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[5] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[6] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[7] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[8] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

AFA REFERENCES

WEBSITES

[9] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1977 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1977.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[10] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1978 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1978.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[11] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1979 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1979.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[12] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1980 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1980.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[13] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1981 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1981.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[14] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1982 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1982.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[15] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1983 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1983.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

XFL References WEBSITES

[16] Remember the XFL (2017) XFL Final Standings [Internet] Available from: http://sites.google.com/site/rememberthexfl/standings [Accessed 3 February 2017]

UFL REFERENCES

INTERNET ARCHIVE

[17] United Football League | Internet Archive (2010) Schedule 2009 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20100102212241/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

[18] United Football League | Internet Archive (2011) Schedule 2010 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20110609043730/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

[19] United Football League | Internet Archive (2011) Schedule 2011 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20111026023511/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

XFL 2.0 REFERENCES

WEBSITES

[20] XFL (2020) XFL Standings [Internet] Available from: https://stats.xfl.com/standings/ [Accessed 31 March 2020]

AAF WEBSITES

[21] Alliance of American Football (2019) Standings [Internet] Available from: https://aaf.com/standings [Accessed 4 April 2019]

WLAF References

[22] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1991 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id165.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

WLAF References: NEWSPAPERS

[23] Anon. (1991) “Standings” First Down, June 1, 1991, pg. 5

[24] Anon. (1991) “Jon’s too Hort to handle” First Down, June 8, 1991, pg. 4-5

[25] Anglesey, Steve (1991) “Enter the Dragons!” First Down, June 15, 1992, pg. 6-7

WLAF References: WEBSITES

[26] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1992 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id166.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

NFL References

SCHEDULE REFERENCES

[27] NFL (2021) Scores Regular Season Week 1 [Internet] Available from: https://www.nfl.com/scores/2021/REG1 [Accessed 20 September 2021]

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 7 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2022

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.

Yankees Pre-AFAI Irish American Football Team 1983

Results

Yankees All-American Festival Result 1983
Match Day All-American Evening
(All-American Evening)
7:15 pm

Redskins vs Yankees

View all events

REPORT

An All-American Evening at Rifle Park, Banbridge, Co. Down on Friday Evening, the 19th August, 1983, was to have included an American Football game between two teams of specially-trained Rugby players. The “Redskins” versus “Yankees” was to be the highlight of the evening which also had all the razzamatazz of cheerleaders and bands.

The match, if it actually went ahead, would push back the history of Irish American Football a further year. As it Currently stands the Dublin Celts are the first ever Irish American Football Team, founded in 1984, and the first ever match between two Irish teams (A Flag Football match) took place in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, in 1985, between the Tyrone Tornadoes and Coleraine Chieftains.

It is unlikely the teams were kitted, so it may have been something similar to Ohio League American Football in the USA in the early 20th Century, which would have looked more like Rugby Union or Rugby League than the modern game of American Football.

REFERENCES

[1] Anon. (1983) “Shoot-out at Rifle Park”, Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, August 17, 1983. pg. 34 [Past editions of the Irish Newspaper Archive are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers) and Anton “Pippo” O’Grady.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2022

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.

Redskins Pre-AFAI Irish American Football Team 1983

Results

Redskins All-American Evening Festival Team Results 1983
Match Day All-American Evening
(All-American Evening)
7:15 pm

Redskins vs Yankees

View all events

REPORT

An All-American Evening at Rifle Park, Banbridge, Co. Down on Friday Evening, the 19th August, 1983, was to have included an American Football game between two teams of specially-trained Rugby players. The “Redskins” versus “Yankees” was to be the highlight of the evening which also had all the razzamatazz of cheerleaders and bands.

The match, if it actually went ahead, would push back the history of Irish American Football a further year. As it Currently stands the Dublin Celts are the first ever Irish American Football Team, founded in 1984, and the first ever match between two Irish teams (A Flag Football match) took place in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, in 1985, between the Tyrone Tornadoes and Coleraine Chieftains.

It is unlikely the teams were kitted, so it may have been something similar to Ohio League American Football in the USA in the early 20th Century, which would have looked more like Rugby Union or Rugby League than the modern game of American Football.

REFERENCES

[1] Anon. (1983) “Shoot-out at Rifle Park”, Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, August 17, 1983. pg. 34 [Past editions of the Irish Newspaper Archive are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers) and Anton “Pippo” O’Grady.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2022

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.

Navy Galloping Gaels European Theater of Operations Football Team in Northern Ireland Winter 1944

Results

Navy Galloping Gaels European Theater of Operations Northern Ireland Championship Results Winter 1944
Match Day Potato Bowl
(Potato Bowl)
0 - 0

Navy Galloping Gaels vs Army Wolverines

View all events

REPORT

In the big New Years’ Day Bowl Game in the European Theater of Operations Football Championship of Winter 1944, Navy Galloping Gaels tied 0-0 with Army Wolverines in the home ground of Newry Town Football Club (Soccer), which was designated “Lone Star Field” for the day. The game was billed as the “Championship of Northern Ireland”.

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Massimo Foglio with Mark L. Ford (2015) “Winter Football 1944 – Bowl Games and Professionals” Touchdown in Europe: How American Football Came to the Old Continent. pg. 62.

WEBSITES

[4] Lucky Show (2016) American Football in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Tim Leadingham (Tallaght Outlaws).

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved. 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.

Army Wolverines European Theater of Operations Football Team in Northern Ireland Winter 1944

Results

Army Wolverines European Theater of Operations Northern Ireland Championship Results Winter 1944
Match Day Potato Bowl
(Potato Bowl)
0 - 0

Navy Galloping Gaels vs Army Wolverines

View all events

Recap

In the big New Years’ Day Bowl Game in the European Theater of Operations Football Championship of Winter 1944, Navy Galloping Gaels tied 0-0 with Army Wolverines in the home ground of Newry Town Football Club (Soccer), which was designated “Lone Star Field” for the day. The game was billed as the “Championship of Northern Ireland”.

Home Field – “Lone Star Field” – Newry Town FC, Co. Down.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Massimo Foglio with Mark L. Ford (2015) “Winter Football 1944 – Bowl Games and Professionals” Touchdown in Europe: How American Football Came to the Old Continent. pg. 62.

Websites

[4] Lucky Show (2016) American Football in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Tim Leadingham (Tallaght Outlaws).

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved. 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.

Tech Fighting Irish Team Roster and Match Reports 1942

Results

Tech Fighting Irish European Theater of Operations Football Championship Results Autumn 1942
Match Day Game 2
(Game 2)
14 - 0

Yarvard Crimson Tide vs Tech Fighting Irish

View all events

Players List

Tech Fighting Irish v Yarvard 1942

#PlayerPositionTDFGSafetyPAT2XP
Ernest PassimoniQuarterback00000
Carl BarkerWide receiver00000

Recap

Tech Fighting Irish played in the second ever European Theater of Operations Football Championship game in Northern Ireland on 21 November 1942 [1-8]. A team of United States Military Men stationed in Northern Ireland for World War II they were defeated by Yarvard Crimson Tide, another US Military Team stationed in Northern Ireland. Ernest Passimoni was the Fighting Irish Quarterback and was sacked for a safety by the Crimson Tide [1]. Tech nearly scored a touchdown in the first half when Carl Barker almost caught a Passimoni pass but it “skidded through his fingers” [1]

References

Bibliography

[1] Massimo Foglio with Mark L. Ford (2015) “Second World War Part One: Americans on the British Isles 1942-1943 – November 21 1942 – Inver Park, Larne, Northern Ireland – Yarvard 14 Tech Fighting Irish 0” Touchdown in Europe: How American Football Came to the Old Continent. pg. 51-52.

WEBSITES

[2] Irish American Football Association (2016) Journey to Thirty [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/journeyto-thirty/ [Accessed 08 August 2016]

[3] Irish American Football Association (2016) History of US Teams playing in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/history-of-us-teams-playing-in-ireland/ [Accessed 22 November 2016]

[4] Irish American Football Association (2016) History [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/history.htm [Accessed 26 October 2016]

[5] Lucky Show (2016) American Football in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

[6] Dublin Town – Article by Gerry Farrell (2016) College Football Classic Ireland’s Relationship with American Football [Internet] Available from: http://www.dublintown.ie/irelands-relationship-with-american-football/ [Accessed 7 May 2018]

Newspapers

[7] Anon. (1942) . “Photo caption: American Football at Ravenhill”. Belfast News-Letter. Monday, 16 November 1942. pg. 6.

[8] Anon. (1942) “American Football: Large Attendance expected at Ravenhill” Belfast News-Letter. Saturday, 14 November 1942. pg. 4

Academic Articles

[10] Magee, Damian. “English Beer and American Football: Exporting American Football as a Cultural Commodity to the British Isles.” Irish Journal of American Studies, vol. 7, 1998, pp. 121–148. JSTOR, JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/30002410.

SOCIAL MEDIA

[13] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Post 22 August 2019: “ So this is the last of the photos in the archive, it’s of the Yarvard team at Sandy Bay, Larne Harbour on the 21st November 1942. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/pcb.2260513057393170/2260507127393763/?type=3&theater [Accessed 23 August 2019]

[14] Belfast Blitzers | Faacebook (2019) Post 22 August 2019: “So this is the last of the photos in the archive, it’s of the Yarvard team at Sandy Bay, Larne Harbour on the 21st November 1942. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/rpp.454643317980162/2260507354060407/?type=3&theater[Accessed 23 August 2019]

IMAGES

[14] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Photo 22 August 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/pcb.2260513057393170/2260507127393763/?type=3&theater [Accessed 23 August 2019]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Tim Leadingham (Tallaght Outlaws).

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved. 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.

Yarvard at Inver Park, Larne, 21 November 1942

Yarvard Crimson Tide European Theater of Operations Football Team in Northern Ireland 1942

Results

Yarvard Crimson Tide European Theater of Operations Football Championship Team 1942
Match Day Game 2
(Game 2)
14 - 0

Yarvard Crimson Tide vs Tech Fighting Irish

Match Day Game 1
(Game 1)
9 - 7

Hale Blue Devils vs Yarvard Crimson Tide

View all events

Players List

Yarvard Crimson Tide at Ravenhill 1942

#PlayerPositionTDFGSafetyPAT2XPWeight
Anton S VerbeckQuarterback00000165
John HenryWide receiver10000
1Robert D HopferFullback10000200
2Armando LopezRight Halfback00000180
3Anton S VerbickLeft Halfback00000165
4Jay A WrightQuarterback10010185
5James E TemenskiRight Halfback00000198
6Rush M MooreLeft Halfback00000190
7Paul W DennisQuarterback00000155
8Walter A WashburnFullback00000230
9Richard E Whalen00000165
10Atlee V HummelEnd00000180
11James B Bashman JrEnd00000190
12William F EckEnd00000175
13John L WallGuard00000
14Leslie C ShultzGuard00000175
15Paul A McGonigalTackle00000
16Martin HowerGuard00000180
17Frederick D FaulsTackle00000180
18Frank A FemtonTackle00000185
19Leroy M JerlesGuard00000190
20Ralph W MooreTackle00000190
21John L Trunick JrCenter00000184
22Joseph D BaxterGuard00000196
23Edward PetrickLeft Halfback00000190
24Eugene E HeathTackle00000180
25George A DupakFullback00000195
26Henry E ZentnerCenter00000175
27Walter C SzymkowiczQuarterback00000175
28Harvey J KiserTackle00000215
29Charles R RenningerQuarterback00000150
30Frank M JasoEnd00000160
31Thomas F SaxtonGuard00000158
32Leroy C NymanCenter00000185
33Joseph B WetzelTackle00000170
34Joseph J KosolowskiGuard00000180
35Albert D BoshnettCenter00000185

Team Photo

Yarvard at Inver Park, Larne, 21 November 1942
Yarvard at Inver Park, Larne, 21 November 1942. Reference: [14]

Recap

The Yarvard team at Ravenhill in Belfast – the home of Ulster Rugby – played in the first ever known game of American Football in Ireland on 14 November 1942. The Crimson Tide as they were known as lost 7-9 to Hale Blue Devils in the first European Theater of Operations Football Championship, held over Autumn 1942. These players were among the first United States Military to arrive in Europe for World War II and Robert Hopfer scored a Touchdown for the Crimson Tide which was converted by Jay Wright to give them a 7-6 lead in the second quarter.

They were to lose the game in the end, however a week later in Inver Park, Larne, they defeated the Tech Fighting Irish 14-0 thanks to two Touchdowns from John Henry (a pass from Anton Verbeck) and Jay Wright (an interception return) either side of a safety scored when the Tide tackled Tech’s Quarterback in the endzone.

Note: For full Match Reports and scorers please click on the individual matches in the above list to be brought to the article on those games.

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Massimo Foglio with Mark L. Ford (2015) “Second World War Part One: Americans on the British Isles 1942-1943 – November 14 1942 – Ravenhill, Belfast, Northern Ireland – Hale 9 Yarvard 7” Touchdown in Europe: How American Football Came to the Old Continent. pg. 49-51.

WEBSITES

[1] Irish American Football Association (2016) Journey to Thirty [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/journeyto-thirty/ [Accessed 08 August 2016]

[2] Irish American Football Association (2016) History of US Teams playing in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/history-of-us-teams-playing-in-ireland/ [Accessed 22 November 2016]

[3] Irish American Football Association (2016) History [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/history.htm [Accessed 26 October 2016]

[4] Lucky Show (2016) American Football in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

[5] Dublin Town – Article by Gerry Farrell (2016) College Football Classic Ireland’s Relationship with American Football [Internet] Available from: http://www.dublintown.ie/irelands-relationship-with-american-football/ [Accessed 7 May 2018]

NEWSPAPERS

[7] Anon. (1942) . “Photo caption: American Football at Ravenhill”. Belfast News-Letter. Monday, 16 November 1942. pg. 6.

[8] Anon. (1942) “American Football: Large Attendance expected at Ravenhill” Belfast News-Letter. Saturday, 14 November 1942. pg. 4

ACADEMIC ARTICLES

[10] Magee, Damian. “English Beer and American Football: Exporting American Football as a Cultural Commodity to the British Isles.” Irish Journal of American Studies, vol. 7, 1998, pp. 121–148. JSTOR, JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/30002410.

SOCIAL MEDIA

[13] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Post 22 August 2019: “ So this is the last of the photos in the archive, it’s of the Yarvard team at Sandy Bay, Larne Harbour on the 21st November 1942. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/pcb.2260513057393170/2260507127393763/?type=3&theater [Accessed 23 August 2019]

[14] Belfast Blitzers | Faacebook (2019) Post 22 August 2019: “So this is the last of the photos in the archive, it’s of the Yarvard team at Sandy Bay, Larne Harbour on the 21st November 1942. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/rpp.454643317980162/2260507354060407/?type=3&theater[Accessed 23 August 2019]

IMAGES

[15] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Photo 22 August 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/pcb.2260513057393170/2260507127393763/?type=3&theater [Accessed 23 August 2019]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Tim Leadingham (Tallaght Outlaws).

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved. 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.

Aldergrove Hawks American Football Ireland Team 1987

Preseason Standings

Irish American Football League Mourne Conference Preseason 1987

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsTDStreak
12001.000132110W2
21001.000456390W1
31001.000141310W1
40000.00000000
40000.00000000
6Aldergrove Hawks0100.00006-60L1
View full table
 
Played Preseason only. Replaced in South Antrim by A26 Bulldogs for 1988

Results

Aldergrove Hawks American Football Ireland Team 1987
Match Day Preseason Week 1
(Preseason Week 1)
0 - 6

Aldergrove Hawks vs East Side Jets

View all events

Recap

Having played Flag Football in 1986, the Aldergrove Hawks played in a preseason friendly at home to East Side Jets in 1987, losing 0-6. It is their only known game as they never played in the Irish American Football League.

REFERENCES

WEBSITES

[1] Britball Now (2016) Results Section [1986] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

NEWSPAPERS

[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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2022

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.

American Football Association of Ireland Festivals 1986

Festival Results

Jack Daniels Summer Bowl celebrating American Independence Day

Irish American Football League Festivals 1986
Match Day Summer Bowl Semi-Finals
(Summer Bowl Semi-Finals)
Win - Loss

Belfast Blitzers vs Coleraine Chieftains

Match Day Summer Bowl Final
(Summer Bowl Final)
13 - 0

Dublin Celts vs Belfast Blitzers

Match Day Summer Bowl Semi-Finals
(Summer Bowl Semi-Finals)
Win - Loss

Dublin Celts vs Craigavon Cowboys

Report

The Festivals included the first of the Big 4th of July American Independence Day matches between Irish teams in Ireland, a highlight of the season ever since, with Dublin Celts again winning against Belfast Blitzers, 13-0 in the Final, with Irish International Rugby Union player, Tony Ward playing as guest kicker for the Celts [Reference: 1986-20]

REFERENCES

[1] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2019) Post, August 12, 2019 at 1:31 PM [Internet] Available from:  https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940?notif_id=1565921781157641&notif_t=comment_mention [Accessed 17 August 2019]

REFERENCES

[1] Anon. (1986) “Stylish motors take to the roads” Belfast Telegraph. Saturday, May 31, 1986. pg. 22. [Past Copies of the Belfast Telegraph are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

[1] Miriam Lord (1986) “Crunch: but could they handle Moss Keane?” Irish Independent. Monday, March 17, 1986. pg. 7

[2] BritballNow (2017) British and Irish sides Friendly results against foreign opposition [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/UKClubsForeignOppo.html [Accessed 16 November 2017]

[3] James Mulcahy (1986) “Savage Celts” Irish Independent. Thursday, March 27, 1986. pg. 9.

[4] BritballNow (2017) Newcastle Senators [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/NEWCASTLESENATORS.htm [Internet] [Accessed 25 June 2021]

[5] Irish American Football League (2002) Other Events [Internet] Available from: http://americanfootball.ie/iafl/otherevents02.htm [Accessed 20 March 2018]

[6] Anon. (1986) “Cowboys into Shamrock Bowl” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, September 29, 1986. Pg. 18.

Past Copies of the Belfast Telegraph are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/

[7] Anon. (1986) “American Football comes to Dublin” Irish Press. Wednesday, November 12, 1986. Pg. 11. [Past Copies of the Irish Press are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

[8] Anon. (1986) “Today’s sport” Irish Press. Wednesday, Friday, November 28, 1986. pg. 22 [Past Copies of the Irish Press are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

[9] Anon. (1986) “Marlboro on the march” Irish Press. Wednesday, Friday, November 28, 1986. pg. 17 [Past Copies of the Irish Press are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

[10] Sean Moloney (1986) “Shamrocks from USA are playing to win” Evening Herald. Saturday, November 29, 1986. pg. 6.

WEBSITES

[11] Britball Now (2016) History of the Game in Ireland [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/ireland/history-of-the-game-in.html [Accessed 02 October 2016]

[12] Britball Now (2008) UK Clubs Against Foreign Opposition [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/UKClubsForeignOppo.html [Accessed 16 November 2008]

[13] Semi-Pro Football (2017) Eastern Football League Champions [Internet] Available from: http://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/champs/eastfl.htm [Accessed 16 November 2017]

SOURCES

[14] Kevin Sharkey (2020) “The Dublin Celts” Word Document shared by John Gunning on Facebook Messenger with permission.

REFERENCES

[1] Anon (1986) “Crunch: but could they handle Moss Keane?” Irish Independent. Monday, March 17, 1986. pg. 7

Past copies of the Irish Independent are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/

REFERENCES

WEBSITES

[1] Britball Now (2016) Results Section [1986] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

[2] Britball Now (2016) Bangor Buccaneers [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/BangorBuccaneers.htm [Accessed 23 March 2018]

[3] Irish American Football Association (2018) Shamrock Bowl History [Internet] Available from: hhttp://www.americanfootball.ie/american-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 23 March 2018]

[4] Britballnow.co.uk (2019) 1986 Results [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 17 August 2019]

INTERNET ARCHIVES

[5] Craigavon Cowboys | Wayback Machine (2017) Charles ‘Chuck’ Ebron Interview [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20170514064407/http://www,craigavoncowboys.co.uk:80/news [Accessed 10 October 2018]

SOCIAL MEDIA

[6] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Comments on Post by David Turner, August 12-17, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 17 August 2019]

[7] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Comments on Post by David Turner, September 7, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2286790341432108?comment_id=2287705898007219&reply_comment_id=2292185984225877&notif_id=1568031304420635&notif_t=feed_comment [Accessed 9 September 2019]

NEWSPAPERS

[8] Anon. (1986) “A cracking good show for grid-iron fans” Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, September 23, 1986. pg. 24 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[9] Anon. (1986) “American flavour” Belfast Telegraph. Friday, August 8, 1986. pg. 26 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[10] Anon. (1986) “Cowboys into ‘Shamrock Bowl’” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, September 29, 1986. pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[11] Anon. (1986) “Cowboys triumph’” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, October 6, 1986. pg. 19 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[12] Anon. (1986) “Picture caption’” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, August 11, 1986. pg. 30 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

IMAGES

[13] Anon. (1986) “Picture by Rick Hewitt’” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, August 11, 1986. pg. 30 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[14] Anon. (1986) “Cowboys to meet Celts’”Belfast Telegraph. Saturday September 27, 1986. pg. 24 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[15] Anon. (1986) “Blitzers turn the tables”Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday June 24, 1986. pg. 28 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[16] Anon. (1986) “Cowboys into Shamrock Bowl’”Belfast Telegraph. Saturday September 29, 1986. pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[17] Anon. (1986) “Sport in Brief: American Football” Sunday Press. August 17th, 1986. pg. 25.

[18] Anon. (1986) “Dublin Celts are Blitzed” Sunday Press. August 17th, 1986. pg. 25.

MEDIA

[19] BBC Sport NI Facebook (2020) Video, May 20, 2020 [Comment by player at 1:00-1:10] [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/BBCSPORTNI/videos/693338128160962 [Accessed 30 August 2020]

SOCIAL MEDIA

[1] Belfast Blitzers Facebook Page (2019) Post, August 12, 2019 at 1:31 PM [Internet] Available from:  https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940?notif_id=1565921781157641&notif_t=comment_mention [Accessed 17 August 2019]

Magazines

[1986-20] Gridiron UK (1986) “Champion Celts” Gridiron UK, September 1986, Issue 27. pg. 31. Published by Special Publications Division, Southern Newspapers PLC, Christchurch, Dorset. 

About Eirball

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Jo Buchanan (Craigavon Cowboys), Kevin Sharkey (Dublin Celts) and David Turner (Belfast Blitzers)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 September 2025. First Published: 3 January 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019-2022

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.