IAFL History

In the year 1989, most of the Irish teams played in the British based Combined GRIDIRON League (CGL), playing in Irish conferences, but with the winners qualifying for the UK playoffs. The Dublin Celts won the Irish Conference of the Premier Division (Duke), and then narrowly lost 18-13 to the Manchester Heroes in the quarterfinals. The Antrim Bulldogs had greater success in the First Division (Baron). Having won their conference, they trashed the Furness Phantoms 34-6 in the quarterfinals and then lost to the Severn Valley Warlords in the semifinals. The Celts took the IAFL title for the 3rd straight year and won Shamrock Bowl IV. In 1990 the Dublin Celts recorded their first victory in the European Football League (EFL). They hosted the Barcelona Boxers in the first round and won 30-0. They then hosted British Champions, the Manchester Spartans and put in a great performance before eventually going down 28-12. The Antrim Bulldogs won the IAFL in 1990, but lost to the Craigavon Cowboys in Shamrock Bowl V.

The Dublin Celts did not contest the IAFL in 1990, instead opting to play in the fledgling NCMMA, however they did return for a playoff win against the Craigavon Cowboys for the 1990 Shamrock Bowl. In 1991, the Craigavon Cowboys hosted Belgian Champions, the Brussels Raiders in the EFL, but lost 16-6. The Dublin Celts returned to the IAFL, going undefeated and winning the their fifth Shamrock Bowl with a 44-0 victory against the Craigavon Cowboys.

In 1992, the Dublin Celts again travelled to Birmingham to play the Bulls in the EFL. Two late touchdowns from the Bulls sealed a 20-0 victory. The Craigavon Cowboys won Shamrock Bowl VI, defeating the Antrim Bulldogs in the final. The first ever American football game played in College Park, part of Trinity College Dublin's historic city centre campus also took place in 1992. The Dublin Tornadoes defeated the Antrim Bulldogs, courtesy of a last minute field goal, in this game which was played as part of the college's 400th anniversary celebrations.

In 1993, a new force emerged in Irish American football. Coach Dave Curran, who previously coached the Celts, guided the Dublin Tornadoes to their first league title. The Tornadoes defeated the Celts in Shamrock Bowl VII - the first Shamrock Bowl final contested between two Dublin teams.

In 1994, the Tornadoes went undefeated in the IAFL and beat the Carrickfergus Knights in Shamrock Bowl VIII which was played in Newry, Co. Down.

In 1995, the Tornadoes again went unbeaten in the IAFL and again defeated the Carrickfergus Knights in the Shamrock Bowl - this time played in Dublin.

1995 also saw the formation of the Irish National Team. Ireland were defeated 22-0 by Great Britain in their International, played at Saffron Lane, Leicester. Until this date a National team would be brought together to play one off matches. The first such game was against a semi-pro team from the Boston area, The Charlestown Townies.

Dublin Lightning, who were only formed in 1995, became the first "new" team to win the Shamrock Bowl in 1996 - all previous Shamrock Bowls had been won by founder members of the IAFL. Irish National Team quarterback, Eddie Goggins led them to a 26-8 victory over the Dublin Tornadoes 26-8 at St. Mary's RFC in Dublin.

In 1997, most of the teams joined the newly formed AFAI Senior League. Over the next two to three years a lot of teams dropped out of league football.

The Carrickfergus Knights defeated the Dublin Bulls in Shamrock Bowl XIII, which was played in Belfast. The Knights, who by now were the strongest team in Ireland, won the Shamrock Bowl again in 1998, defeating the Dublin Tigers.

In 1999, only three teams played competitive football. The Dublin Tigers defeated the Carrickfergus Knights in a very evenly matched Shamrock Bowl XIV. The AFAI Senior League ceased operations after the 1999 season.

See also

• List of IAFL rivalries