Irish American Football Association Blitz 2001

Teams

PWLTPFPAPct
Dublin Dragons
Dublin Rebels
Carrickfergus Knights
University of Limerick Vikings
Irish American Football Association Blitz 2001 [Ref: 1-2]

Report

The Dublin Dragons, Dublin Rebels and Carrickfergus Knights played in a Blitz on 26 July 2001 before the start of the Irish American Football League Fall League. They were the first domestic matches since 1999.

Action Photo of the Preseason Blitz in Dublin 2001 [Ref: 3]

Websites

Internet Archive

[1] Carrickfergus Knights | Wayback Machine (2003) Gallery [Season][2001] [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20030808110652/http://www.carrickfergusknights.com/games.asp?season=2001 [Accessed 18 May 2020]

[2] Carrickfergus Knights | Wayback Machine (2003) Gallery [2001] [Blitz 26 July 2001] [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20030221070129/http://www.carrickfergusknights.com/thumbs.asp?game=1 [Accessed 18 May 2020]

Social Media

[3] Carrickfergus Knights Facebook (2001) Preseason Blitz in Dublin 2001 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/148981_229696177164828_280202040_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=e007fa&_nc_ohc=JR5fyh455AYAX8QEdvR&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=7b475e7352586cdbb1c6100253e749de&oe=5EE6C2A5 [Accessed 18 May 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association, and Sean Douglas, Dublin Rebels.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 18 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Ireland Water Polo Women’s Knockout Cup 2019-20

Ireland Water Polo Logo [Ref: 3]

Results

DateHome TeamAway Team
Quarter-FinalLisnacarragh
11.01.2020Diamonds9St. Vincent’s10
Semi-FinalsNAC
25.01.2020St. Vincent’s23Trinity5
25.01.2020Clontarf4Cathal Brugha0 #
FinalNAC
01.02.2020St. Vincent’s10Clontarf8
Ireland Water Polo Women’s Knockout Cup 2019-20 [Ref: 2]

Home Pools

TeamHome Pool *
Cathal BrughaLisburn / Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, Castlereagh
ClontarfNational Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown
DiamondsLisburn / Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, Castlereagh
St. Vincent’sNational Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown
TrinityNational Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown
Ireland Water Polo Women’s National League Division 1 Home Pools 2019-20 [Ref: 1-2]

Note: * Home Pools for Matches. Training venues vary from pools listed above.

Report

St. Vincent’s Ladies won the 2019-20 Ireland Water Polo Women’s Knockout Cup, defeating Clontarf 10-8 in the Final. They had earlier won 10-9 against Diamonds in the Quarter-Finals, and 23-5 against Trinity in the Semi-Finals.

St. Vincent’s Ladies Water Polo – 2019-20 Ireland Water Polo Women’s Knockout Cup Champions [Ref: 4]

References

Websites

[2] Ireland Water Polo (2019) National League Fixtures 2019/20 [Internet] Available from http://www.waterpolo.ie/national-league-fixtures-results.html [Accessed 28 April 2020]

[1] Swim Ireland (2020) Water Polo | Affilated Water Polo Clubs [Internet] Available from: https://www.swimireland.ie/water-polo [Accessed 18 May 2020]

Social Media

[4] Ireland Water Polo Facebook (2020) Photo, February 1, 2020:”Congratulations to our ladies team who won the Ladies Knockout Cup today, beating Clontarf in a hard fought final 10-8.”: [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/83280493_2885701998156062_6615267328340787200_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=aDuL3FEcwYIAX8pCpkz&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=cd7e7dbf81b8ca91f3878356c7ef4a74&oe=5EE6F9E2 [Accessed 18 May 2020]

Images

[3] Ireland Water Polo (2017) Ireland Water Polo Logo [Internet] Available from https://irelandwaterpolo.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/ireland-water-polo.png [Accessed 21 February 2017]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Caoimhe Mullaney.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish, North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 18 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Irish American Football Association Challenge 1985

Standings

PWLTPFPAPDPct
Northern Ireland
Bangor Buccaneers1100300+301.000
Craigavon Cowboys1100+11.000
Belfast Blitzers1010-1.000
Belfast Spartans1010030-30.000
Coleraine Chieftains
Dublin*
Marlay Chargers
Blanchardstown Bears
Foxrock Falcons
University College Dublin

Note: *While there are mentions offive Dublin teams in 1985, the Dublin Celts were the only team in Ireland that was fully kitted and only played English opposition, while there is no evidence that the other four mentioned Dublin teams played any matches with the exception of UCD.

Results

DateHome TeamAway Team
1985Belfast Spartans0Bangor Buccaneers30
1985Belfast BlitzersLCraigavon CowboysW
Irish American Football Association Challenge 1985 [Ref: 1-2]

Report

The Belfast Spartans first ever match was in a challenge match in 1985, in which they lost 30-0 to the Bangor Buccaneers. The Craigavon Cowboys also beat the Belfast Blitzers by one point in an unkitted tackle game.

The matches were unkitted, but according to reports in the Belfast Spartans website, it appears to have been a form of “American Rugby”, much like the early Ohio League style American Football in the USA at the end of the 19th and early 20th Century, i.e. Contact Football without padding or helmets, rather than Flag Football (American Football version of Tag Rugby).

References

Websites

[1] Belfast Spartans (2019) Team History | Grinding to a start [Internet] Available from: http://www.belfastspartans.co.uk/team-history.html [Accessed 20 March 2018]

[2] BBC Sport NI Facebook (2020) Video, July 25, 2020 [Comment by player at 1:00-1:10] [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/BBCSPORTNI/videos/693338128160962 [Accessed 30 August 2020]

[3] Anon. (1985) “Football Crazy” Irish Times. Saturday, March 16, 1985. pg. 16 [Internet] Available from the Irish Times Archive at: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1985/0316/Pg016.html#Ar01603 [The Irish Times Archive is a subscripttion service.

Sources

[4] Kevin Sharkey “The-Dublin-Celts History” 18 October 2020. Shared with permission by John Gunning via Facebook Messenger 18 October 2020.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Turner, Belfast Blitzers and Kevin Sharkey, Dublin Celts.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 25 October 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Irish American Football Challenge 1983

Fixtures

DateHome TeamAway Team
All-America ChallengeBanbridge Rugby Club
19.08.1983RedskinsYankees
Irish American Football Challenge 1983 [Ref: 1]

Report

Banbridge Rugby Club hoped to open the new season in style at Rifle Park with an All-American Evening, incuding an American Football match between the “Redskins” and “Yankees” featuring two teams of Rugby Club Players specially coached for the occasion, and Cheerleaders!

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. If it actually went ahead.

Newspapers

[1] Anon. (1994) “Shoot-out at Rifle Park” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, August 17, 1983. pg. 34 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Turner & Billy Graham (Belfast Blitzers).

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 17 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Northern Ireland Junior American League 1994

Standings

PWLTPFPAPct
Ballymena Wolfhounds
Coleraine
Northern Ireland Junior American League 1994 [Ref: 1]

Report

The Northern Ireland Junior American League, a Junior Kitted American Football League looked like it was to be played between two sides, Ballymena Wolfhounds and Coleraine in 1994.

Newspapers

[1] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, April 27, 1994. pg. 28-29 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Turner & Billy Graham (Belfast Blitzers).

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 17 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

American Football Association of Ireland Junior Challenge 1994

Fixtures

DateHome TeamAway Team
Challenge MatchTrinity House, Lusk
07.1994Trinity House Young OffendersBallymena Wolfhounds
American Football Association of Ireland Junior Friendly 1994 [Ref: 1]

Report

A match was organised for the end of July 1994, in Trinity House, Lusk, Co. Dublin, between the inmates of the detention centre for young offenders and Ballymena Wolfhounds, the Northern Ireland Junior American League team. The six-a-side match was to be played behind bars, with the Trinity team put together and trained by the Wolfhounds Coach for the previous two months.

Newspapers

[1] Anon. (1994) “Gridiron” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, July 20, 1994. pg. 23 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Luke Kelly

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 17 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Four Nations American Football International Friendly – Great Britain Lions 22 Ireland Fighting Irish 0 – 17 March 1995

17 March 1995 – Saffron Lane, Leicester, England.

Great Britain Lions 22 Ireland Fighting Irish 0

The Ireland Fighting Irish, playing in their first Full International went down 22-0 to the Great Britain Lions,  who scored on two passing plays to Mark Cohen & Joe Greenidge before sacking the Irish QB for a Safety.

The GB Lions added a run from Nigel Flemming to make it 22-0 at the end.

The 1995 Irish squad was chosen after trials in November 1995. Tragically, Irish CoachDave Curran, died only hours after the trials in Belfast and Dublin. Coach Curran had been Offensive Co-Ordinator for the Ireland team, and had previously been a coach for 25 years in America, and had been Head Coach of both the Dublin Celts and Dublin Tornadoes, both multiple Shamrock Bowl winners.

This was the first International Match without Coach Curran, and took place in Leicester, on St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March 1995.

At Saffron Lane, Leicester, EnglandQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Irish Leprechauns    0
Great Britain Bulldogs    22
Great Britain Bulldogs 22 Ireland Fighting Irish 0 Box-Score 18 March 1995 Reference: [2]
TeamScorersScore
GBMark Cohen 28 yd TD Rec from Ian Ure (XP no good)0-6
GB Joe Greenidge 4yd TD Rec from ?? (Kevin Hurst XP Kick)0-13
GBSafety – Dave Samuel sacked Irish QB in endzone0-15
GB Nigel Flemming 9yd TD Run (Rex Harrisson XP Kick)0-22
Irish-Leprechauns-0-GB-Lions-22-1995-David-Sweetman

GB Lions 22 Ireland 0 (Photo courtesy David Sweetman)[3]

Ireland Roster 1995

PlayerPositionTeam
Offense
Patrick CullenQuarterbackCraigavon Cowboys
Brian SuttonQuarterbackDublin Tornadoes
Eddie GogginsQuarterbackBath Gladiators (Eng)
Phil McGowanRunning BackDublin Tornadoes
Mark BanksRunning BackCarrickfergus Knights
G WoodsRunning BackRockingham Rebels (Eng)
Liam McManusRunning BackRockingham Rebels (Eng)
Micky ColemanRunning BackRockingham Rebels (Eng)
G GrahamTight EndCarrickfergus Knights
Padraig ReddingtonTight EndDublin Tornadoes
Mark HaffertyWide ReceiverBelfast Spartans
Mark RutherfordWide ReceiverDublin Tornadoes
Leigh KellyWide ReceiverLondon Rockets (Eng)
Brian DennehyWide ReceiverDublin Tornadoes
Neil CallahanOffensive LineCraigavon Cowboys
Phil WoodyardOffensive LineDublin Tornadoes
Denis SoroghanOffensive LineDublin Tornadoes
Alan O’BrienOffensive LineDublin Tornadoes
Brian McEvillyOffensive LineDublin Celts
Richard EarlOffensive LineRedbridge Fire (Eng)
Eamonn DunleavyOffensive LineLondon Rockets (Eng)
Gerry McManusOffensive LineBirmingham Bulls (Eng)
Defense 
Terry BeattieDefensive LineBelfast Spartans
John JonesDefensive LineDublin Tornadoes
Gareth BoydDefensive LineCardiff University (Wal)
Martin RogersDefensive LineDublin Celts
Tom CreggDefensive LineMilton Keynes Pioneers (Eng)
N McCabeDefensive Line
R McCabeDefensive Line
E QuinlavinDefensive Line
Mark HarrisLinebackerCarrickfergus Knights
Danny O’CallaghanLinebackerDublin Tornadoes
Paul ClarkLinebackerDublin Tornadoes
Robbie WalkerLinebackerCarrickfergus Knights
Kevin DuffyLinebackerSouthern Seminloes (Eng)
Mark ElsdenLinebackerRockingham Rebels (Eng)
David McGrathDefensive BackDublin Tornadoes
Connor LeonardDefensive BackDublin Tornadoes
Andrew MitchellDefensive BackBrighton B-52s (Eng)
Tony HennessyDefensive BackRockingham Rebels (Eng)
Paddy PatersonDefensive BackCraigavon Cowboys
Erin MaxwellDefensive BackCarrickfergus Knights
Mark DevlinDefensive BackLurgan Area Raiders
Ireland National American Football Team Roster 1995 References :[1; 5]

Coaches

Coach / ManagerName
Head CoachKurt Smeby
Assistant CoachStaurt Smith
Assistant CoachMark Gayton
Assistant CoachTom Smith
Assistant CoachEddie Kelly
Assistant CoachBrian Sutton
Assistant CoachFrancis Loughlin
ManagerDoug Platten
ManagerDave Wakefield
Ireland National American Football Team Coaches & Managers 1995 References :[1; 5]

References

Internet Archive

[1] Dublin Tornadoes (1997) History of the Team [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19970618100359/http://fiachra.ucd.ie/~alan/tornado.html [Accessed 20 March 2018]

Websites

[2] Britball Now (2016) 1992-1995 GB Lions [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/gb-lions-historical-index/1992-5-gb-lions.html[Accessed 12 November 2019]

[3] Britball Now (2016) GB Lions 22 Ireland 0 [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/_Media/1995gbvirelanddavidsweefz4_med.jpeg [Accessed 12 November 2019]

Newspapers

[4] Hubbuck, Colin (1994) “Irish Tragedy: Offensive boss Curran dies hours after national trials” First Down. November 5, 1994. pg. 22

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association, and Sean Douglas, Dublin Rebels.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish American Football Archive

Last Updated: 16 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Four Nations American Football International Friendly – Ireland Fighting Irish 45 Northwest GB All-Stars 0 – 26 November 1995

Four Nations International Friendly

26 November 1995 – Ireland 45 Northwest GB All-Stars 0

On 26th of November 1995, the Ireland International team made history, winning for the first time ever against a British side, the Northwest Great Britain All-Stars. In terrible weather, which affected the turnout at the gate, Philip McCowen (3 TDs), Eddie Goggins (1 TD), David Grandmaision (2 TDs), Mitchell (1 TD) and Alan Byrne (1 TD) were the Touchdown scorers). I all Ireland scored 45 points and 8 touchdowns without reply.

AtQ1Q2Q3Q4 Total
Ireland45
North West GB All-Stars0
Four Nations International Friendly Box-Score 26 November 1995 [Ref: 1]
TeamScorerScore
IRLPhilip McGowen TD
IRLPhilip McGowen TD
IRLPhilip McGowen TD
IRLEddie Goggins TD
IRLDavid Grandmaison TD
IRLDavid Grandmaison TD
IRLMitchell TD
IRLAlan Byrne TD
Four Nations International Friendly Scorers 26 November 1995 [Ref: 1]

Ireland Roster 1995

PlayerPositionTeam
 Offense / Defense 
David GrandmaisonWide Receiver / Free Safety / Strong Safety
MitchellWide Receiver / Cornerback
Offense
Patrick CullenQuarterbackCraigavon Cowboys
Eddie GogginsQuarterback
Padraig ReddingtonTight EndDublin Tornadoes
Phil McGowanFullbackDublin Tornadoes
Alan ByrneFullbackDublin Tornadoes
Brian DennehyHalfbackDublin Tornadoes
Denis SoroghanCenterDublin Tornadoes
Alan O’BrienRight Guard / Full BackDublin Tornadoes
Defense 
Danny O’CallaghanOutside LinebackerDublin Tornadoes
CornerbackDave McGrathDublin Tornadoes
References :[1; 5]

Websites

[1] Britball Now (2009) History of the game in Ireland |  [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/ireland/history-of-the-game-in.html [Accessed 25 October 2016]

[2] Britball Now (2009) British and Irish Friendly results against foreign opposition [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/UKClubsForeignOppo.html [Accessed 16 November 2017]

[3] British Collegiate American Football League (2001) GB Bulldogs History [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20010710011259/http://bcafl.org/cgi-bcafl/showdoc.pl?section=/bulldogs&article=1 [Accessed 27 March 2018]

[4] Irish American Football Association (2006) Team Ireland 8 Coventry Cassidy Jets 35 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20071117035949/http://www.dublindragons.com/e107/news.php?extend.20 [Accessed 31 October 2017]

[5] Dublin Tornadoes (1997) History of the Team [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19970618100359/http://fiachra.ucd.ie/~alan/tornado.html [Accessed 20 March 2018]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith, Ralph Schmeer and Michael Brophy of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association.

About this document

Researched, compilred and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 16 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

National Football League Kickoff Youth Flag Football 2004

NFL Kickoff Junior Flag Football 2004

YearWinners Runners-Up 
 Final   
03.10.04Belfast Bulls20Chorley Buccaneers18
NFL Kickoff Junior Flag Football 2004 [Reference: 8]

Report

The Belfast Bulls Youth team won the NFL Kickoff Tournament, held in Loughborough, UK. They beat Chorley Buccaneers 20-18 in the Final. The Grade was for 11-15 year-olds.

References

Internet Archive

[1] Lancashire Acadmey of American Football (2005) Archived Juniors News 2004: Sunday, October 3 – Braves win their First [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20050307034403/http://eteamz.active.com/wolverineden/news/index.cfm?cat=198910 [Accessed 25 November 2018]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association, and Sean Douglas, Dublin Rebels.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 16 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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

Irish American Football Association / Sky Sports Schools Flag Football 2015

On the invitation of Jack Lawlor, a second year student at Presentation College, Bray, South Dublin Panthers players Conor McGrath, Dave Edwards, Stephen Kearns, and Sam Kidd, introduced the students to Flag Football on Tuesday, the 24th of March 2015.

The initiative was part of the Sky Sports programme to introduce minority sports to schools, and the four Panthers put the students through their paces. At the end of the session, the students put what they had learnt into a game of “Burkey Ball”, a form of Flag Football, that was a favourite among the South Dublin Panthers.

Presentation College Bray students with members of South Dublin Panthers during their 2015 Flag Football session. [Ref: 2]

References

Websites

[1] Irish American Football Association (2015) South Dublin Panthers working with Presentation College Bray [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/south-dublin-panthers-working-with-presentation-college-bray/ [Accessed 16 May 2020]

Images

[2] Irish American Football Association (2015) South Dublin Panthers working with Presentation College Bray [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pres-bray2-650×363.jpg [Accessed 16 May 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Brendan Farrell.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 16 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

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