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The Irish American Football League (IAFL) kicks off this month with nine teams from various parts of the country will compete for the Shamrock Bowl and an additional 6 teams playing in the new development league. The regular season will finish in early July with the top 5 teams advancing to the play-offs which will take place during the remainder of July. Shamrock Bowl XXII, the National Championship game, will be on Sunday 10th August 2008.
IAFL LEAGUE The IAFL has retained its divisional structure. Each team will play 8 regular season games - 4 games within their division and 4 games against teams in other divisions. For the first time ever, the IAFL has introduced a scheduling formula which, like the NFL, grades the strength of schedule for each team according to their league positions in the previous season. The Divisional line-up for 2008 is as follows: IAFL
North: IAFL
Central: IAFL
South:
About the IAFL: The Irish American Football Association, who are the National Governing Body, currently has over 1,000 registered players, coaches and officials at various levels of the sport. The IAFL is the highest level of competitive American football played in Ireland. It plays adult full kitted, full contact American football. Rules used are the same as in major college football in the USA. Whereas only 11 players are permitted on the field at any time, most IAFL teams would carry squads of c.40 players divided into offense, defense and special teams units. The majority of players in the IAFL are home grown talent, though the league does feature a lot of overseas players, including some Americans – in 2007, players from over 20 nationalities played in the IAFL.
The IAFL has started up a new development league for 2008. This league, called the DV-8s league will be used to assist new formed teams in getting kitted football experience before entering the main IAFL league and also to allow existing teams to field “B” teams of mainly rookie players to help get them experience. Whereas American football is usually played with 11 players on the field at any time, the DV-8s league will have only 8 players on the field at any time – not unlike Arena football in the USA. This means that new teams with smaller squads who are not strong enough to compete in the main league can play in the DV-8s league as a squad size of c.20 players would be sufficient to be competitive. There are also some other rule changes to facilitate the development of new players including a rule which states that each team must have a minimum of 5 players with less than 2 years experience on the field at any time. Like the main IAFL league, the DV-8s league will be full kitted, full contact adult American football. All of the new teams are expected to step up to full IAFL level within 2 years. DV-8s Line-up: Craigavon
Cowboys
IAFL LEAGUE IAFL North: Belfast
Bulls The Belfast Bulls aim to consolidate their position as Northern Divisional Champions and have a strong campaign in the IAFL in 2008. The coaching panel has remained in place and the team has enjoyed a productive off season with a focused recruitment drive adding some new blood to the already established veteran body of the team. The offensive line led by Connor Lackey and Andy Black has gained some much needed size to the 2007 unit averaging 300lbs. Ed McDonnell, Bjorn Blythe, and Gary McClearney head the receivers this season - all returning starters from last year. Rotating between full back and centre Tom Frazer looks set to start in his first year with the Bulls and will add some versatility to the offense. Behind Frazer, Chris Carson and Niall McHugh will share time at Tail back both with ability to run inside and outside. The bulls starting quarterback this season will be T.J Reynolds. The Defense continues to be fast and aggressive with the safety positions being taken by Mike scott and the hard hitting Chris McWilliams. The Defensive line have enjoys a balance of power and speed and power backed up by a fast prolific linebacking crew led by Chris McCaughan and Mike Calo. Special teams sees the emergence of Declan McCall who is a capable kicker in his first year with the Belfast bulls.
After a successful 1st season, The Belfast Trojans are getting ready for the 2008 IAFL season. With a few significant losses, the Trojans will be welcoming back most of the team which managed to make the playoffs in their first competitive season. The team will continue to play an aggressive defense led by linebackers Rob Lyttle and Chris Weir. The offense will continue to aim for a balanced attack with a strong offensive line featuring several very experienced players. The Trojans lose star receivers Jason Larson and Chris McKeown, the former returning to the US and the latter moving to a new position. Scott Fischaber has established himself as the go-to guy among the wide receivers. The team will be led by Head Coach Barry Magee and intends to turn in another successful season. The key for the Trojans will be the speed at which the players who’ve moved on and retired are replaced by a large group of promising new players and the first crop of players from the undefeated Junior Trojans, led by Alex Newton. Carrickfergus
Knights The Knights, a traditionally strong team, are hoping to rebound from their only ever losing season in 15 years. Much of the core of the team that was a regular Shamrock Bowl participant is still there, including last season's MVP, defensive end Darren Montgomery. Stalwarts Mark Harris (head coach) and Spencer McDowell also feature on a hard-hitting defence that welcomes new linebacker, transferred from the Belfast Bulls, Gareth Millar, and will have its pass defence bolstered by the return from injury of cornerback Mark Pollock, perhaps the top cornerback in the league over the last decade. On offense, quarterback Adam Devenney can look to a pair experienced receivers in Ian McIlroy and Paul McKillop, who returns after a year with the West Sydney Pirates in Australia. The ground game will be carried by last season's offensive MVP Robert Elliott at fullback and the previous year's overall MVP Clint McDowell, who will also feature at receiver. The Knights will be further strengthened by a large group of promising rookies, including several former junior players who have made the step up. As the season progresses, expect to hear a lot of new names making large contributions to a hopefully winning effort, ensuring that the Knights will continue to be a string force in the IAFL for years to come.
The five-time Shamrock Bowl Champions, the Dublin Rebels, are hungry to get their title back after being dethroned in the semi-finals last year. Renowned for their smash mouth style of football, with an unforgiving defense led by Ross McCooey and Marcus Naylor, the Rebels will look to make their mark on the league in 2008. Quarterback Andy Dennehy oversees one of the most versatile offenses in the league, built around a polished offensive line, a talented strike force of receivers and the running of tailback Sam Hodgins. Last year the Rebels had the best defense in the league and one of the top offenses, but lost in an 8-6 playoff heartbreaker against the Cork Admirals. With most players and coaches returning this season, along with some new signings and a batch of promising rookies, they will look to raise the Shamrock Bowl at the end of the year. Due to their squad size growing to over 60 players, the Rebels will be fielding a second team in the DV-8s league this season. This team will be comprised of newly recruited rookies and former youth programme players.
The DCU Saints, now with two competitive seasons behind them, are now seeking to move to the next level in the IAFL. In spite of having a 2-6 record last season, the team was much improved from the squad that debuted in 2006. Running back Dave McMahon is the best player on the Saints offense and is expected to be in contention for the IAFL rushing title. The starting quarterback position is undecided and will be determined in training camp. The Saints have a solid pass defense led by Team Ireland star Willie Coyne. Other solid players include Maurice Cosgrave, Eoin Fox and Carl Rushe. Head Coach Dave Rothwell is now in his second season in the role and will have learned a great deal from his first season. The key for the Saints this season will be getting a couple of wins early in the season that they can use as a platform to contend for a play-off spot.
The Dublin Rhinos are the newcomers to the IAFL’s main league this season. Based in the Castleknock/Blanchardstown area of Dublin, they were awarded a place in the main league due to experience of their squad. The team has recruited more than 20 experienced IAFL players from the greater Dublin area including many who came with Head Coach Mark Lawless who was with the Dublin Dragons last season. Lawless is assisted by Robbie Andrews who won a number of Shamrock Bowls in the 1980s and 1990s. Well known IAFL players recruited by the Rhinos include Dave Collins, Neil Holland, Robert Popciobobartopelus, Sean Power and Diarmuid Noyes. Like all new teams, the Rhinos will probably spend the first half of the season getting used to playing together, but nevertheless, they are expected to chalk up a few wins before the end of the season.
Univ.
of Limerick Vikings The UL Vikings are coming off the back of the most successful season in club history and are looking to repeat their Shamrock Bowl winning performance this year. The Vikings main foundations remain their strong running game and their fast and aggressive defence. The Vikings lost players in the post-season as a number of them graduated from the University. They do however have a number of key starters returning to the team and some good potential in the rookie class. Kieran Coen anchors the Offensive line at centre and he is joined by David Wallek in a very strong unit. Glen Carr returns to the tight end position where he performed well last year. On the defensive side of the ball Declan O'Donnell will hope to continue the disruption he caused on Offensive lines last year and Bill Parkinson rejoins the linebacking unit for his fourth year. The Vikings have developed the coaching structure of the club with Coach Eoin Carroll coming on board assisted by ex-Admiral Ciaran O'Sullivan. The Vikings have a very tough schedule this year playing all the top teams but hope to return to the playoffs this season.
Quarterback David Lomasney, now entering his fourth full season as starter. Dave Barry and veteran Dominic McHale are the teams leading receivers. Keith O'Callaghan and Alain Pezeron are the two starting running backs. This multitude of offensive weapons has been effectively utilised by HC/OC Alan Lomasney The offensive line is anchored by Paul Buchanan, Rob Hennessey and Rich Bos. Of the other side of the ball Trevor O'Connell calls signals to his aggressive defense, which excel in run defense. Defensive linemen Marcus Gates and Ross McCullagh give great pressure up-front. American Linebackers Ibrahim Khadra and Martin Mulrey have played well this year. Barry Rafferty leads the defense from his safety position. John Duggan, Peter Lucey and John O'Sullivan make up the rest of the secondary. The Admirals were the most improved team in the IAFL last season and deserved their spot in the Shamrock Bowl. They play hard hitting football and along with fellow IAFL South team, UL Vikings, are expected to be contenders for this season’s title. The Admirals are one of the two IAFL teams who will be fielding two squads this season. Newly recruited players in their squad and those stepping up from youth level will be playing in the DV-8s league. Tallaght
Outlaws. The Tallaght Outlaws enter their second season in the IAFL in 2008. Under the Guidance of Chris Cullen and John Collins as joint head coaches. The Outlaws will look to get that first win in 2008. With experienced players like David Doc O'Connor at RB and Jason Reddy at LB who is Irish American and has a wealth of experience in the US. And talented second year rookies in Lewis O'Connor on our Offensive Line, sizeable nose tackle Sean Watts and Richard Whelan a rugby ace turned running back. The Outlaws have a bright future with some talented athletes in 2008.
Dublin
Dragons Although the Dragons may have been written off for this season due both their coach and a large number of players leave departing during the offseason, things may not be as bleak as they initially appeared. With new head coach Al Burke - who boasts many years of experience including two Shamrock Bowls and a number of international appearances - leading the way, and an influx of both new and experienced talent at most positions, it may be less a case of building for the future as the team is ready to compete now. Introducing the spread offence that is becoming increasingly popular in the NCAA, the Dragons are quickly gathering the players required to run it effectively. With both talent and experience on both lines with Russell Kerley and Tobias Henle, and quarterback Dermot O’Callaghan hooking up with wide receiver Peter Wright, the Dragons should be strong on both sides of the ball. Ever the cosmopolitan team, they also have players from the US, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Poland and Mexico among others. Although the majority of the team are rookies, there is experience in all the right places. The Dragons could be considered one of the favourites for the inaugural DV-8s title.
Craigavon
Cowboys The Craigavon Cowboys are returning to adult competitive football after several years of operating a successful underage programme. The team has a rich history having won the first ever Shamrock Bowl in 1986 and is the only active Irish team with EuroBowl experience. The vast majority of their squad are young players – most are under 20 – who have made an impact in the youth flag league in recent years. They have the benefit of an extremely experienced coaching squad which includes several of the older Cowboys with extensive IAFL experience. Greg Loughran, Terry Lynch and Paul Braniff all have more than 10 years IAFL experience and should mold the team into a very competitive squad. The Cowboys start the season as contenders for the DV-8s title.
The Edenderry Soldiers are a new team in the DV8’s league and intent to move into the full IAFL league within the next 2 seasons. They have a good core of young keen players, most playing IAFL football for the first time. The club is led by Ken Farrell and Robbie Dunne. Farrell has played for the Dublin dragons. Dunne is a returning veteran from Kildare who played in the IAFL during the 1990s. They have an aggressive offence with an equally aggressive defence, as the season progresses some of the young players are expected to come to the fore. They have some good receivers including Aiden Waters and Andrew Mc Loughlin who are being put under pressure by some new players for their positions. One to watch in the coming seasons will be teenage rookie quarterback old Sean Kenny who has a strong arm and is using this season to learn from the teams other quarterbacks. Robbie Dunne and Ken Farrell keep the defensive engine ticking over and with the experience they have they help the younger players around them. Two of the more experienced offensive linemen include Kevin Tempany and Damien Gleeson. The diamond in the rough could be running back David Larkin who is expected to have a bright future in the IAFL. Mark Moonen as the teams Head Coach.
The Trinity College Thunderbolts are new to the IAFL in 2008. Like many of the DV-8s squads, the team is mainly comprised primarily of rookies, Trinity do however have a few aces up their sleeves. Quarterback Hal Hodson has been showing great poise despite his inexperience. Center Matt Mc Grath comes into the team with a high caliber high school background and running back Conor Mc Govern is expected to be a powerful runner. Wide receiver David Corcoran has the right mix of speed and hands to turn a few heads this year. On the defensive side Canadian cornerback Greg Willmot should impress and big things are expected from defensive tackle Bill Grainger and defensive end Neale Young. Norwegian defensive end Hasse Hellan has played at senior level in and looks to bring his experience to the forefront of the IAFL.
See review IAFL League reviews for these teams.
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© Irish American Football League
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