On a windy Thursday evening in the Garda RFC in Westmanstown, 20 young IAFA players from around the country took part in the first coaching clinic to be held in Ireland by Cecil Martin, a former Philadelphia Eagles fullback and current pundit on Sky Sports’s coverage of the NFL.

Cecil began the session with dynamic stretching before taking the players through their paces in NFL combine-style drills including the 40 yard dash, three cone drill and pro-agility. With the assistance of IAFA coaches, Cecil then took the players through correct football techniques such as how to block, receiver and running back drills and defensive coverage. The end of the session had the players put everything they learned into practice with a scrimmage session, guided by Cecil and IAFA coaches.

Cecil also finished up the clinic by speak with the players to spread his positive message about the importance of hard work, focus and perseverance, and talked about his rise from not having a college scholarship offer to running out in front of 100,000 people as a Philadelphia Eagle. After the clinic, Cecil took the time to speak with each player individually about their experiences.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Croke Park Classic (CPC) is the unique way in which the IAFA and GAA have worked together for the benefit of the event and the sport in Ireland.

 In some events in the recent past, the game promoters have had little regard for the sport locally. No real interest in developing the sport or even tapping into the growing domestic market in Ireland and throughout Europe. However, the Croke Park Classic has adopted a very different approach.

Croke Park and the GAA engaged with the IAFA at an early stage, offering to help promote the sport in Ireland around the event. The offer was gratefully accepted and both organisations executed a cooperation agreement last summer. In return, the IAFA offered to assist with the promotion of the game among domestic and European supporters. The GAA has attempted to reach out to domestic and European supporters – encouraging them to attend the event.

According to IAFA President, Michael Smith “What really helped is that the GAA are themselves the National Governing Body of an amateur sport. They understand sport in Ireland and the impact an event like the CPC can have. They were very engaging from day one and have made a big effort to make us feel part of the event.”

One of the big benefits to the IAFA has been the access it has been afforded to those involved in the event. This has included facilitating interactions with the colleges at events thus allowing the IAFA to build up it’s own relationships.

We’ve seen some tangible benefits in recent weeks with IAFA players featuring prominently in CPC promotions thus giving the IAFA increased public visibility. The GAA also plugged the recent Shamrock Bowl in it’s media releases. This in turn has generated some further media opportunities which will become apparent over the next few days.

The Croke Park Classic will promote IAFA on game day. Significant space in the game program has been given over to the domestic game. Fans attending the game will be left in no doubt that there is a vibrant American football scene in Ireland and how to contact their local club to get involved.

In addition, the IAFA has been afforded the opportunity to entertain stakeholders, prominent members of the International American football community and potential sponsors/partners at the game – a move which is sure to deliver benefits for the sport in Ireland over the coming years. Finally, the game will also deliver a legacy – details of which will be announced at the IAFA AGM later this year.

Next Thursday – 28th August 2014, former Philadelphia Eagles Fullback and Sky Sports pundit Cecil Martin is coming to Dublin to host his coaching clinic, exclusively for IAFA players between the ages of 16 – 24. The clinic will take place in the Garda RFC, Westmanstown (home venue of the Dublin Dragons – map at http://www.westmanstown.com/contact_us_map.html) from 5pm – 9pm.

Cecil holds these clinics throughout the UK and Europe and his Dublin clinic will consist of a combine, football drills and a scrimmage session, ably assisted by IAFA coaches from around the league. Please note that this will be a non-contact session and comfortable clothing is recommended along with footware suitable for a grass pitch. Also it is recommended that you bring water with you.

Participation in the clinic will cost €35 and to confirm your attendance, please go to

www.facebook.com/events/1477536622484591

 

Cecil will be staying on in Dublin for the upcoming Croke Park Classic game as a guest of the IAFA.

UCD won the IAFL1 Championship game today by a score of 40-0 over the Cork Admirals. Victory puts them in the automatic promotion spot to return to the top flight of football in Ireland – the Shamrok Bowl Conference – next season.

Tyrone Titans (pictured) won the inaugural IAFL2 Championship game at Navan RFC today – Result: Tyrone Titans 20-7 Dundalk Mavericks.

The Belfast Trojans won their third consecutive Shamrock Bowl with victory over a previously unbeated Trinity College Dublin at Tallaght Stadium. The decisive score came early in the fourth quarter when Belfast’s Connor Whitla had a twenty yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Trojans a 7-0 victory.

In spite of the very poor weather conditions – much of the game was played in torrential rain and there was a stoppage for lightning in the first quarter – a very enthusiastic crowd of 1,500 spectators showed up to watch the game. In spite of being low scoring, it was an entertaining game with the difficult ball handling conditions adding to the spectacle.

Belfast were deserving winners – having the majority of possession time on offense and picking up the majority of first downs. Running backs Neil Montgomery and David Colvin both picked up yardage. The Trinity defensive line of Dylan Green, George Walsh and Eoghan Hurley made life difficult for Belfast quarterback James McKelvey.

Running back Robert McDowell was the most exciting player on offense for Trinity, but the Belfast defense, including some outstanding performances from Stuart Leckey, Jon-Erik Talvio and Whitla did an excellent job. Much of the first three quarters of the game were played in the Trinity half, with Belfast moving the ball, but being stopped by the Trinity defense in the red zone. With the exception of a 4^th quarter rally, Trinity struggled to move the ball on offense.

The win gave Belfast a third consecutive Shamrock Bowl victory – having defeated the Dublin Rebels and UL Vikings in the past two years. The young Trinity team are to be congratulated on their excellent season – this was their first defeat of the year and the first time in their history to reach the Shamrock Bowl. Belfast’s Connor Whitla won the inaugural Terry Lynch MVP Award.

Ireland’s ‘Month of Football’ moves onto Navan next weekend where the finals of the second and third tiers of Irish American football take place. University College Dublin and Cork Admirals will contest the IAFL1 Final and Tyrone Titans and Dundalk Mavericks will contest the IAFL2 Final. The ‘Month of Football’ will conclude with the Croke Park Classic college football game on August 30^th between UCF and Penn State.

With the  Galway v Dundalk game having been played earlier today, the IAFA is very pleased to announce that it had a 100% fixture completion rate in all 3 divisions in 2014.

With just the 3 x Championship games to be played, a total of 76 fixtures have been played by a record 19 teams from all around the country. Teams in the SBC and IAFL1 played 8 regular season games each and those in the developmental IAFL2 played 6 regular season games.

Team managements across the country are to be applauded for making a big effort to achieve the IAFA’s target of 100% game completion in 2014. Well done lads.

Shamrock Bowl XXVIII, the National Championship for domestic American football takes place at Tallaght Stadium next Sunday – kick-off 3pm. The game will feature two teams who have lost only one game between them in the past 12 months. Unbeaten Trinity College Dublin, is making its first appearance in the title game and will face defending Champions, Belfast Trojans.

2014 has been by far the most successful season in the history of Irish American football. A record 19 clubs from all parts of the country played competitive league football with the best ten competing in the IAFA’s new elite division – the Shamrock Bowl Conference (SBC). The 10 SBC teams have risen to the challenge – with the increased competition raising the standard of play.

For those who want to see full kitted, hard hitting American football close up and personal, the Shamrock Bowl is a must. Watch every play and hear every hit live while enjoying the family atmosphere in the stands. Apart from the upcoming Croke Park Classic, this will be the highest standard game you will see in Ireland this year and it will be the only one replicating the atmosphere usually only experienced at small college or large high school games in the United States.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite – €8 for adults, €5 for children.

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College’s current season has been five years in the making. Reinstated in its current form in 2010, after 2 seasons of DV-8’s football (development league), TCD has only grown stronger and more formidable with every season. Winning only one game in their first season, they are now a far cry from what once was and stand as one of the titans of the 2014 IAFL. In 2013 the Dublin Rebels eliminated TCD during the semi-finals, but this year their hunger and drive to get to the final has been undeniable, with every single player putting there all in on every play.

With the defensive line tormenting offenses all year long, recording the only 2 safeties in the SBC this year, along with a strong coverage against the pass, Trinity has shown itself to be a strong defensive team, ranking third in the league. This compliments the league’s highest scoring offense, that has shown the ability to score in a variety of ways, from anywhere on the pitch.

When Trinity is on the field, it guarantees to be an entertaining game of football. With so many different players getting on the scoring charts this year for Trinity this year, it has been the most balanced team that they have had in the last few years and they seem to have struck the right balance on both sides of the ball, proving to be a top tier team. Having beaten everyone who them have come to face so far, it has almost been a full year since their last defeat, all that remains to be seen is can Trinity win it all on the big stage in Tallaght stadium?

Belfast Trojans

Formed in 2006 by a group of motivated young players who split from the now defunct Belfast Bulls, the Belfast Trojans joined the IAFA in 2007. Since then the Trojans have been stalwarts of the IAFL Northern Conference winning the division four times.

After some highs and lows in their early days, the Trojans found the right balance both on and off the pitch in 2011 regaining their position as a playoff team, and putting in place the groundwork for what would become one of the biggest success stories in Irish American Football.

Building on the promise of the 2011 season the Belfast Trojans were able to put together an unprecedented winning streak that would carry them through the 2012 & 2013 seasons, lifting two consecutive Shamrock Bowls along with EFAF’s Atlantic Cup. The streak continued into 2014 before finally being ended in game five of the regular season by today’s opponent Trinity College. Many questioned how the Trojans might react to their first loss for such a long time but it is testament to the character of the club that the team regrouped, asked questions of themselves and corrected many of the issues. The team forged ahead and won the next four consecutive games bringing themselves once again to Tallaght Stadium with the opportunity to compete in their third successive Shamrock Bowl.

The Trojans play an extremely aggressive defensive style that has seen them ranked as the number one defensive unit in the last few years. On offence they favour a balance between a traditionally powerful running game along with a potent aerial threat. It would be remiss to isolate individual players as the Trojans promote a team over star player ethos. Everyone is vital to the success of the group. Everyone will play their part in the success. Every player will give their utmost to retain the Shamrock Bowl.

This year’s Shamrock Bowl will see the presentation of inaugural Terry Lynch MVP Award to the game’s most valuable player. It’s fitting that the game’s MVP Award is named after a man who was regarded by many as the MVP in terms of his contribution to Irish American football in recent years. As League Commissioner and IAFA Board member, Terry made a significant contribution to the sport over the past number of years particularly on the development front. He was also heavily involved in the organisation of the Shamrock Bowl which without him it would not be the event it is today.

Off the field, he was a kind hearted friend to many and a dedicated family man. Regrettably he passed away suddenly on the eve of last years Gathering Bowl held in this stadium. Terry’s influence and spirit is still with us all and there is no doubt that he’s looking in on today’s game.

Trinity College Dublin and Belfast Trojans will contest the Shamrock Bowl in Tallaght Stadium on 10th August – kick-off 3pm. Both teams won their semi-final match-ups against the Dublin Rebels and UL Vikings respectively.

Having lost only one game between them this season, we have the makings of an exciting final. In the past 14 months, they have faced each other twice in competitive games, winning one each. Both teams were also finalists in the EFAF Atlantic Cup in 2013.

Tickets are available at the following locations:

Online at Eventbrite:

Click on the following link or the advert on the right hand side of this site to purchase tickets online:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/shamrock-bowl-xxviii-tickets-10655889051?ref=ecount

Via your local IAFL Club:

Members and supporters of IAFL clubs can purchase tickets directly from their own club. Each IAFL team has their own ticket allocation and they get to keep 100% of their own ticket revenue – purchasing one of these tickets is great way to support your local team as well as getting to see the Shamrock Bowl.

Box office on gameday:

Some tickets will be available at the stadium on gameday.

While all the focus this coming week will be on who will win next Sunday’s Shamrock Bowl, there are still two matters to be decided before the season is put to rest for 2014.

The Championship games for the IAFA’s two other divisions – IAFL1 and IAFL2 will take place at Navan RFC (home of the Meath Bulldogs) on Sunday 17th August. This is the first time we’ve had championship games for the second and third tiers of football and indeed, this year is only the first year we’ve had a third tier. The games will be played as a double header with the IAFL2 Championship kicking off at 1pm followed by the IAFL1 game at 4pm.

The Cork Admirals victory over the Mullingar Minotaurs in the final regular season game earned them a place in the IAFL1 game against UCD. The winner of the contest will qualify for promotion to the Shamrock Bowl Conference in 2015. Both teams have a similar background – both are former SBC teams who have spent the year reloading in IAFL1. Both also finished with identical 6-2 records.

IAFL2 was formed this season as a response to the influx of a number of new teams playing football for the first time ever. The Tyrone Titans had a brilliant first season finishing unbeaten in the regular season. Even though Dundalk have one regular season fixture remaining – against Galway next Saturday, they have already mathematically qualified as the second finalist. Both teams are expected to be part of an expanded IAFL1 division next season.