Be part of one if Ireland’s great sporting success stories.
We are now in 2014, which means that the new season is fast approaching. Before the end of this month, the majority of teams will be in pre-season training. 2013 fades into memory and teams become optimistic about their prospects for 2014.
The audit/application process has produced a record 19 teams who want to play competitive football in 2014. Dundalk, Galway, South Kildare and Tyrone will all be making their IAFL debuts alongside a reconstituted Cork Admirals. The only omission from 2013 is Tullamore, giving a net increase of 3 teams.
The divisional line-ups and schedules will be determined over the next couple of weeks following a Board meeting this weekend and league workshop on 11th January. 2013 saw the introduction of two tiers of league football – the Shamrock Bowl Conference and IAFL-1. The introduction of a third tier – IAFL-2 is currently under consideration for 2014.
One of the great success stories of Irish sport and, indeed American football worldwide, has been the expansion of the sport in Ireland from 4 teams in the 2002 league season to the 18 we have today. No other competitive sport in Ireland has seen such phenomenal growth in such a short period of time.
For any young athlete wanting to take up the sport for the first time or any veteran eyeing a return to the gridiron, now is the perfect time to join your local team. You’ll get the benefit of a full pre-season of training, which should see you being able to take the field when your team kicks off it’s season in c. 3 months time. All teams welcome newcomers.
2014 Team Line-up and contact details:
Belfast Trojans: trojans@americanfootball.ie
Carrickfergus Knights: knights@americanfootball.ie
Cork Admirals: admirals@americanfootball.ie
Craigavon Cowboys: cowboys@americanfootball.ie
Drogheda Lightning: lightning@americanfootball.ie
Dublin Dragons: dragons@americanfootball.ie
Dublin Rebels: rebels@americanfootball.ie
Dundalk Mavericks: mavericks@americanfootball.ie
Galway Warriors: warriors@americanfootball.ie
Meath Bulldogs: bulldogs@americanfootball.ie
North Kildare Reapers: reapers@americanfootball.ie
Mullingar Minotaurs: minotaurs@americanfootball.ie
South Kildare Soldiers: soldiers@americanfootball.ie
Trinity College Dublin: trinity@americanfootball.ie
Tyrone Titans: titans@americanfootball.ie
University College Dublin: ucd@americanfootball.ie
UL Vikings: vikings@americanfootball.ie
Waterford Wolves: wolves@americanfootball.ie
West Dublin Rhinos: rhinos@americanfootball.ie