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New
Website Coming Soon
The
Association is in the process of procuring a new website.
This new site should be up and running before the start of
the 2009 season. In the meantime, some of the sections of
this site will not be updated. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Jim
Messenger delivers a Level 2 Coaching Course in Dublin in
March 2009
THIS
WEEKS FIXTURES
Sunday 29th March 2009
West Dublin Rhinos
@ DCU Saints - 1pm
ALSAA,
Dublin Airport.
Carrickfergus Knights
@ Dublin Rebels - 2pm
Sportslink, Old Airport Road, Dublin
Dublin Dragons
@ UCD Sentinels - (DV8s) 1pm
UCD, Belfield, Dublin.
RESULTS
Sunday 22nd March 2009
Belfast Trojans
0-49 Univ Limerick Vikings
UL Sports Grounds, Limerick
Click
here for game report
UCD Sentinels 50-0
Midlands Soldiers
Edenderry RFC, Co. Offaly
UCD
PLAY DRAGONS IN DEBUT FIXTURE
Sunday 15th March 2009 - 2pm
Dublin Dragons
0-14 UCD Sentinels
UCD, Belfield, Dublin
The Dragons open this season with a game
against one of this years rookie teams, the UCD Sentinels.
The Dragons return many of last season's players, and a couple
of senior players have come out of retirement to add some
much needed experience. Although much of their squad are new
to the game, UCD are not without their own threats. With an
experienced coach (John Collins), who cut his teeth with the
Dragons, and ex-Dragons receiver Peter Wright leading their
offence at quarterback, there is potential and neither side
is expecting an easy victory. However, after suffering through
the ups and downs that come with inexperience last year, the
Dragons know what is expected of them now. With new co- ordinator
Al Kelly adding steel to the defence, and an already dangerous
offence, the Dragons have no delusions of being a dark horse
this year.
CHARGERS
FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Unfortunately
one of the new DV8s teams has been forced to withdraw from
the DV8s fixtures. The IT Carlow will not play the 2009 season
due the college not being able to fund the team for the 2009
season. Our understanding is that this the college is still
committed to fielding a team longterm and funding will be
provided in next years budget. This development is regrettable
as IT Carlow had assembled a committed group of young players.
The team will remain as IAFL members for 2009.
The Chargers opponents are being scheduled replacement fixtures.
DV8s
LEAGUE KICKS OFF
Sunday 8th March 2009 - 2pm
Midlands Soldiers
0-56 Trinity College Dublin
Edenderry, Co. Offaly
PAUDIE
O'SE DINGLE TOURNAMENT
Sunday 28th February 2009 - 2pm
Philadelphia Blue
Flame 22-0 Univ. Limerick Vikings
Ballydavid RFC, Dingle, Co. Kerry
Shamrock
Bowl Champions, UL Vikings, will be playing the Philadelphia
Blue Flame in an exhibition game on 28th February as part
of the Paudie O'Se Gaelic Tournament taking place on the Dingle
Penninsula over the weekend. The Blue Flame is comprised of
both police officers and firemen from the Philadelphia area.
The team plays in the National Public Safety League which
comprises of police and fire service teams from all over the
US. This will be the first ever American football game to
be played in Ireland's Gaeltacht area.
Irish
Sports Council Grants Announced
The
IAFA faired well in the 2009 round of Irish Sports Council
grants for National Governing Bodies of Sport. The Association
will receive a total of €19,250 (incl. €500 Women
in Sport grant), which is slightly up on last years figure
of €18,750. Very few NGBs saw rises in their grants this
year due to recent cuts in Government expenditure. The majority
of this funding has been allocated to develop ment programmes
such as coaches education and the development of a new schools
flag football programme. In announcing the grant, the ISC
complimented the IAFA on its professional goals and structures
as well as noting the increase in membership.
DV8s
Schedule Published.
The
2009 DV8s schedule has now been published. This year, the
DV8s will feature 7 teams including 3 newcomers.
CLICK
HERE FOR 2009 DV8s SCHEDULE
TV3's
Ireland AM show features IAFL players.
Today the most popular breakfast television show in Ireland
featured two IAFL players - Henry Wasserman of the Dublin
Rebels and Hal Hodson of Trinity College . Both players gave
their insight into next Sundays Superbowl. You can view it
by clicking on the following link from the TV3 website: IAFL
players - TV3 Ireland AM 30th Jan 09.
IAFL
Schedule Published.
Due
to the economic downturn, the Belfast Bulls have informed
the IAFL that they will not be able to fulfill a full schedule
in 2009 due to lack of finances. Therefore the IAFL has decided
to revert to a single Division of 7 teams for the 2009 season.
Each team will still play a full schedule of 8 games within
the same timeframe as previously announced. The new schedule
can be found by clicking at the link on the bottom of this
article.
The
good news is that following a meeting on January 24th, the
IAFL Board is pleased to announce that the DV8s development
league has 3 new members and is expanding to 7 teams for the
2009 season. The new members are Erris Rams - the first ever
team in Connaught to play competitively; and two 3rd level
institutions - UCD and IT Carlow. The DV8s schedule will be
published in early February.
Therefore,
in spite of the unfortunate news from the Bulls, the IAFL
will have a record number of teams playing in 2009. 14 clubs
will be fielding teams in one of the leagues which breaks
the existing record of 13 set in the 2008 season.
The
league lineups are as follows:
IAFL:
Univ Limerick Vikings, Dublin Rebels, Cork Admirals,
Belfast Trojans, DCU Saints, Carrickfergus Knights and West
Dublin Rhinos.
DV8s:
Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Dragons, Trinity College,
Edenderry Soldiers, UCD, IT Carlow and Erris Rams.
CLICK
HERE FOR 2009 IAFL SCHEDULE
IAFL
AGM & 2009 SCHEDULE
The
IAFL's 2009 AGM took place at Temple Bar Hotel, Dublin on
14th December 2008. Four new teams were admitted to one of
the categories of membership. UCD Sentinels & IT Carlow
Chargers were granted associate membership and will play in
the DV8s league. Erris Rams were granted formative team membership,
but hope to play DV8s in 2009. Tralee Titans indicated that
they will play in 2010.
Four
of the five IAFL Board members were re-elected to their positions
- Chair: Terry Lynch, Secretary: Cillian
Smith, Treasurer: John Durrad &
Development Officer: Ciaran O'Sullivan. Maurice Cosgrave
was elected as the new Commissioner replacing Darrin O'Toole
who has recently taken up a prominent position with the coaches
association.
The
2009 regular season will kick off on 22nd March 2009 and conclude
on 5th July. The Semi-Finals will be played on 28th July and
the Shamrock Bowl will take place on Sunday 9th August. The
complete schedule can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
The DV8s schedule will be announced in January following a
meeting of all participating teams.
FOUR
NEW TEAMS APPLY FOR IAFL MEMBERSHIP
The
IAFL has received membership applications from 4 new teams
who hope to play in 2009. With the upcoming strategic plan
expected to focus on expanding the sport into new areas of
the country, it is encouraging that 3 of the applications
come from places where American football has never being played
before. Each of these teams will now undertake the new members
audit and a final decision on their status will be made by
the end of next month. Successful applicants will most likely
start playing in the DV-8s league. The IAFL would like to
encourage anyone who is interested in joining these teams
to contact them at the email addresses listed below. The applicants
are:
Carlow
Chargers email:
itcchargers@gmail.com
Erris
Rams (Mayo) email: errisrams@gmail.com
Tralee
Titans email: traleetitans@gmail.com
UCD
Sentinels email: ucdaf@hotmail.com
Delegates
at the EFAF-IAFA meeting.
On
Saturday 6th September, the Irish American Football Association
hosted its first ever strategic planning meeting with the
European Federation of American Football (EFAF). Representatives
of the IAFA Board and the IAFA Strategic Planning Committee
met with an EFAF delegation which included EFAF President,
Mr. Robert Huber. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss
ways in which EFAF can assist Ireland in the coming years
and to get feedback for the IAFA Strategic Plan 2009-2012.
Topics discussed included coaching clinics, officials education
and EFAF competitions. EFAF has promised to assist Ireland
on a number of fronts, details of which will be revealed when
the Strategic Plan is published later this year.
University
College Dublin Coaching Vacancies
UCD
are currently seeking a coaching squad. All positions are open.
UCD has applied to join the IAFL for the 2009 season.
All interested coaches should contact Barry Flinn at barryflinn@hotmail.com
.
1st
Annual Irish Coaching Convention
- September
12th-14th
Click
here for report & details.
VIKINGS
WIN SHAMROCK BOWL XXII
UL
Vikings celebrate with the Shamrock Bowl trophy.
Sunday
10th August - 2pm
CIT
STADIUM - Bishopstown, Cork
DUBLIN
REBELS 12-14 UNIV. LIMERICK VIKINGS
A
touchdown run from the game's MVP, running back Adrian Garvey
along with an interception return by linebacker Darragh O'Callaghan
and 2 point conversion by Seamus Feehan gave the UL Vikings
their second consecutive Shamrock Bowl title. Rebels scorers
were a touchdown by Paul Smyth, field goal by Paul Grogan
and a penalty safety.
CLICK
HERE FOR FULL GAME REPORT & PICTURES
Visit
WWW.SHAMROCKBOWL.COM
for
all the latest information on the game.
THE
ROAD TO SHAMROCK BOWL XXII
The IAFL
is pleased to announce that Shamrock Bowl XXII, the Championship
game of the IAFL, will take place on Sunday August 10th in
Cork. This will be the first time ever that Cork has hosted
a Shamrock Bowl. The game will take place in the newly constructed
CIT Stadium which was offically opened last Monday. Shamrock
Bowl XXII will be the first major national event to be played
at the stadium.
Five teams - defending Champions UL Vikings along with
Dublin Rebels, Belfast Trojans, Cork Admirals and DCU Saints
have qualified for the IAFL Play-offs. Each will be hoping
to be one of the 2 teams to reach Shamrock Bowl XXII. The
play-offs start on Sunday 20th July with the Wildcard round.
The semi finals take place a week later. The full play-off
schedule is as follows;
2008
PLAY-OFF FIXTURES (all 2pm)
Wildcard Game - Sunday 20th July
D.C.U. Saints 2-34
Cork Admirals
CIT Stadium, Cork.
Semi-Finals
Sunday 27th July
Belfast Trojans
8-42 Univ. Limerick Vikings
UL Sports Grounds, Limerick.
Click
Here for Game Report
Cork
Admirals 12-19 Dublin Rebels
Sportslink, Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report
SHAMROCK
BOWL XXII
Sunday 10th August
Dublin Rebels v
Univ. Limerick Vikings
CIT Stadium, Cork
DV-8s
FINAL
August 2008
Dublin Rebels 2nds
0-30 Cork Admirals 2nds
Cork Admirals
win DV-8s title.
FINAL
REGULAR SEASON GAMES
Sunday 6th July 2008
College
Championship
Univ Limerick Vikings
47-12 D.C.U. Saints (1pm)
ALSAA, Dublin Airport.
DV-8s Fixture
Cork
Admirals 2nd 34-0 Edenderry Soldiers (2pm)
Edenderry, Co. Offaly.
CELTIC
CLASSIC & WEEK 14 OF IAFL SEASON
Action from Dublin Rebels versus Midwestern
Allstars game.
Saturday 28th June 2008-5pm
Celtic
Classic V
Midwestern Allstars
(USA) 72-8 Dublin Rebels (IAFL)
Sportslink, Dublin.
Click
here for game preview.
Sunday 29th June 2008-2pm
Rhinos 6-34 Cork
Admirals
CIT, Cork.
D.C.U. Saints*
6-0 Belfast Bulls
Malusk,
Belfast.
*Saints
qualify for play-offs.
WEEK
13 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 22nd June 2008-2pm
Dublin Rebels 32-14
Univ Limerick Vikings
St. Munchins, Corbally, Limerick.*Note
different venue to usual*
Tallaght Outlaws
0-30 Belfast Trojans
Malone
Road RFC, Belfast.
INTERNATIONAL
FEDERATION MEETS IN SWEDEN
Click
here for report on IFAF Conference.
WEEK
12 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 15th June 2008-2pm
Belfast Trojans
56-0 Rhinos
Castleknock Community College, Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report
Belfast Bulls 0-72
Dublin Rebels
Sportslink, Dublin.
Cork Admirals 44-32
Carrickfergus Knights
Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus.
DV-8s Fixtures
Saturday 14th June 2008-2pm
Cork Admirals 2nds
45-13 Dublin Dragons
Lucan Community College, Co. Dublin.
Craigavon
Cowboys 13-6 Dublin Rebels 2nds
Sportslink, Dublin.
WEEK
11 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 8th June 2008-2pm
D.C.U. Saints 32-6
Rhinos
Castleknock Community College, Dublin.
DV-8s Fixture
Dublin
Rebels 2nds 25-0 Craigavon Cowboys
Brownlow Sports Complex, Craigavon..
WEEK
10 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 1st June 2008
Univ Limerick Vikings
92-0 Tallaght Outlaws
Tallaght RFC Pitch @ National Basketball Arena.
DV-8s Fixture
Craigavon
Cowboys 51-13 Dublin Dragons
ALSAA, Dublin Airport.
Cork
Admiral 2nds @ Edenderry Soldiers fixture is being rescheduled
due to a shortage of available medical crews over the Bank
Holiday weekend. Date to be announced soon.
THUNDERBOLTS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Trinity College
Thunderbolts player Bash Hassani received his award for being
player of the year in his teams first season in the IAFL.
WEEK
9 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 25th May 2008
Univ Limerick Vikings
34-25 Cork Admirals
CIT Rugby Pitch, Bishopstown, Cork.
Belfast Bulls 26-14
Carrickfergus Knights
Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus.
Dublin
Rebels 39-0 D.C.U. Saints
ALSAA, Dublin Airport.
Belfast
Trojans, Dublin Rebels & UL Vikings qualify for Play-Offs.
DV-8s Fixtures
Dublin
Rebels 2nds 22-0 Trinity College Thunderbolts
ALSAA, Dublin Airport.
Dublin
Dragons 60-20 Edenderry Soldiers
Edenderry, Co. Offaly.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
WEEK
8 OF IAFL SEASON
(Photo:
J. Beattie)
Sunday 18th May 2008
Dublin Rhinos 0-52
Dublin Rebels - 2pm
Sportslink, Dublin.
Carrickfergus Knights
19-44 Belfast Trojans - 2pm
Malone
Road RFC, Belfast.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
Cork
Admirals 60-0 Tallaght Outlaws - 1pm
Tallaght RFC pitch at National Basketball
Arena, Tallaght.
DV-8s Fixture
Cork
Admirals 2nds 14-0 Trinity College Thunderbolts - 4pm
Tallaght RFC pitch at National Basketball Arena, Tallaght.
WEEK
7 OF IAFL SEASON
Pile-up
at Outlaws @ Rhinos game.
Sunday 11th May 2008 - 2pm
Tallaght Outlaws
0-34 Dublin Rhinos
Castleknock College, Co. Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
Belfast Trojans
30-14 Belfast Bulls
Mallusk,
Belfast.
Click
Here for Game Report
DV-8s Fixture
Dublin
Dragons 20-51 Trinity College Thunderbolts
Lucan Community College, Co. Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report
WEEK
8 OF IAFL SEASON
Action
from Carrickfergus Knights & Belfast Bulls game.
Sunday 4th May 2008 - 2pm
D.C.U. Saints 0-25
Dublin Rebels
Sportslink, Dublin.
Carrickfergus Knights
14-30 Belfast Bulls
Mallusk,
Belfast.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
Cork
Admirals 3-20 Univ. Limerick Vikings
UL Sports Grounds, Limerick.
Click
Here for Game Report
DV-8s Fixture
- follows IAFL fixture listed above
Trinity College
Thunderbolts 8-39 Dublin Rebels 2nds
Sportslink, Dublin.
WEEK
5 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 27th April 2008
Rhinos 3-32 D.C.U.
Saints
ALSAA, Dublin Airport.
Click
Here for Game Report
Belfast Trojans
42-0 Carrickfergus Knights
Woodburn
Road, Carrickfergus.
Click
Here for Game Report
Tallaght
Outlaws 0-36 Univ. Limerick Vikings
UL Sports Grounds, Limerick.
DV-8s Fixture
Dublin Rebels 2nds
48-0 Edenderry Soldiers
Edenderry FC, Edenderry.
WEEK
4 OF IAFL SEASON
Dublin Dragons run the
ball against the Edenderry Soldiers.
Saturday 19th April 2008
DV-8s Double Header starting at Noon.
Craigavon Cowboys
52-8 Trinity College Dublin Thunderbolts
Lucan Community College, Dublin.
Edenderry Soldiers
6-34 Dublin Dragons
Lucan
Community College, Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
---------------
Sunday 20th April 2008 - 2pm.
Belfast Bulls 8-24
Belfast Trojans
Malone Road RFC, Belfast
Click
Here for Game Report
Cork Admirals
6-0 Dublin Rebels
Sportslink, Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report
DV-8s Fixture
Cork Admirals 2nds
6-12 Dublin Rebels 2nds (k.o.
after IAFL fixture above)
Sportslink, Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
WEEK
3 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 13th April 2008 - 2pm.
Dublin Rebels
64-0 Rhinos
Castleknock College, Co. Dublin.
Click
Here for Game Report.
Univ. Limerick
Vikings 22-6 Belfast Bulls
Mallusk, Belfast.(different venue
to advertised on this site earlier).
Click
Here for Game Report.
D.C.U. Saints 44-0
Tallaght Outlaws
Tallaght RFC pitch at National Basketball Arena, Tallaght.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
Please
note that a new date for the DV-8s fixture between Dublin
Rebels 2nds andTrinity College Dublin Thunderbolts
will be announced soon.
Trinity College Dublin Thunderbolts (Red/Black)
make their IAFL debut against the Craigavon Cowboys.
WEEK
2 OF IAFL SEASON
Rhinos
(red/black) make their IAFL debut versus the Carrickfergus
Knights
Sunday 6th March 2008 - 2pm unless
stated.
Rhinos 0-25 Carrickfergus
Knights
Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus.
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
Belfast Trojans
0-22 Univ. Limerick Vikings
UL Sports Grounds, Limerick
Tallaght Outlaws
0-98 Cork Admirals
Carrigaline Rugby Club, Co. Cork*
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
DV-8s Fixture
Dublin Dragons
0-24 Cork Admirals 2nds - Noon.
Carrigaline Rugby Club, Co. Cork*
Click
Here for Game Report & Pictures
*Please note different
venue.
Saturday 5th March 2008 - 2pm.
Trinity College
Thunderbolts 12-45 Craigavon Cowboys
Brownlow Sports Campus, Craigavon.
Click
Here for Pictures
WEEK
1 OF IAFL SEASON
Sunday 30th March 2008 - 2pm unless
stated.
Carrickfergus
Knights 18-7 DCU Saints
ALSAA, Dublin Airport.
Dublin Rebels 16-0
Belfast Trojans
Malone Road Rugby Club, Belfast
Click
Here for Game Report
Belfast Bulls 0-66
Cork Admirals - 1pm
Douglas Community School, Cork
Click
Here for Game Report
DV-8s Fixture
Edenderry Soldiers
0-22 Cork Admirals 2nds - 4pm
Douglas Community School, Cork
This Sunday sees the first full weekend of IAFL fixtures. There
are 4 games taking place including a double header in Cork.
All of the IAFL fixtures are interdivsional games which should
give us some insight into which Division will be the most competitive
this year. All four fixtures, including the DV-8s game are expected
to be close contests. On a historic note, next Sunday, the Cork
Admirals will be the first team in the history of Irish American
football to field two seperate teams in competitive games when
they field teams in both the IAFL League and DV-8s league on
the same afternoon.
2008
IAFL SEASON PREVIEW
Most of the teams in the IAFL are due to play their first
games within the next couple of weeks. This season is expected
to be one of the most competitive ever with several teams in
contention for the Shamrock Bowl title. We also have the addition
excitement of the newly formed DV-8s development league. Click
here to read the IAFL Season Preview.
COLLEGE
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Sunday 16th March
Univ of Limerick
Vikings @ DCU Saints
ALSAA, Dublin Airport
Postponed
due to waterlogged pitch. Match rescheduled for Sunday 6th
July kick-off 2pm
DV-8
LEAGUE STARTS THIS WEEK
The IAFLs new development league - DV-8s
will kick off for the first time next Sunday when the Edenderry
Soliers, playing their first ever competitive game, visit
the Craigavon Cowboys. The DV-8s league is an 8-a-side kitted
league aimed at developing young players and providing new
teams with a stepping stone to the main league. Six teams
will compete in it this season as follows:
Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Dragons, Edenderry
Soldiers, Trinity College Thunderbolts, Dublin Rebels
Development Team, Cork Admirals Development Team.
Each DV-8s team will play 6 fixtures.
Click
here for list of DV-8s fixtures.
RESULT
Sunday 9th March 28 - 2pm
Edenderry Soldiers
6-67 Craigavon Cowboys
Brownlow, Craigavon, Co. Armagh.
IRISH
SPORTS COUNCIL GRANT INCREASED
The Minister
for Arts, Sports & Tourism formally announced the grants
to National Governing Bodies today in Dublin. The Irish American
Football Association fared better than most NGBs with its
grant being increased by nearly 60% to €18,750. The average
increase for all NGBs was 4.5%. Initiatives being supported
by the Irish Sports Council in 2008 include coaching courses,
flag football, development teams, officials training, the
IAFA strategic plan and a revamp of websites/online registration
project.
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