The Irish American Football League (IAFL) is pleased to announce that its Championship game, Shamrock Bowl XXIII will be played at Cooke Rugby Club in Belfast on Sunday 9th August 2009, kick-off 2pm.

Cooke Rugby Club is one of the premier sporting venues in Belfast, and is host to two All-Ireland league rugby teams. The game will be played on the first team pitch which is overlooked by a 300 capacity covered spectator area at balcony level and more spectator capacity at pitch side. Full bar and catering facilities will be available for all attendees.

This years game will feature the winners of the semi-finals played on Sunday 26th July. The semi-final results were as follows:

Carrickfergus Knights 0-20 Univ. Limerick Vikings – UL Sports Grounds, 2pm.

Dublin City Univ. Saints 0-38 Dublin Rebels – Sportslink, Dublin, 2pm.

Thirteen teams, divided into two divisions played in the 2009 IAFL – the most teams ever to play competitive American football in Ireland. The standard of play is rising every year as seen in this years EFAF Atlantic Cup (European Amateur Club Championship) where the Dublin Rebels finished runners up in the Final played in Brussels last month. The winner of this years Shamrock Bowl will win the right to represent Ireland in Europe in 2010.

This year, the Shamrock Bowl trophy will be presented by Mr. Robert Huber, President of the European Federation of American Football.

CONTACT DETAILS:

EMAIL: shamrockbowl@americanfootball.ie

PHONE: +44-776-6798724 – Terry Lynch
or +353-87-4158196 – Cillian Smith

www.americanfootball.ie

INFORMATION ON AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN IRELAND:

American football is one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland, particularly in the 18-23 age range. The number of registered players is doubling every two years. The IAFL currently has 7 teams playing in its top level league and 6 new teams in its development league. The IAFL is part of the Irish American Football Association, the Irish Sports Council recognised National Governing Body for American football in Ireland. The Irish American Football Association is also affiliated to both the European Federation of American Football and the International Federation of American Football.

The playing rules for American football in Ireland (and in the rest of Europe) are based on NCAA rules - those used in major college football in the USA (e.g. Notre Dame, Boston College, USC, Miami, Michigan, Florida State etc. etc.). Players are fully kitted the sport is full contact as per NCAA rules. Teams in the IAFL typically kit up 30-40 players per game.

IAFL TEAMS:

Belfast Trojans
Carrickfergus Knights
Cork Admirals
DCU Saints
Dublin Rebels
Univ Limerick Vikings
West Dublin Rhinos

DV8s Development League:

Craigavon Cowboys
Dublin Dragons
Erris Rams (Mayo)
Midlands Soldiers
Trinity College Dublin
UCD Sentinels

New Applicants for 2010: Carlow, Tullamore & Roscrea.

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