“I am Ibahim Khadra” the muscular and well mannered American Football player introduces himself politely but there is little need as he’s very easily recognizable. He’s sporting a big black top, yet his athletic appearance gives him away. 

The Lebanon-born Palestinian had barely set up home in Cork when he learned about the CORK ADMIRALS and didn’t think twice before joining this American Football Club based in Cork. Ibrahim is a keen sportsman; particularly he’s very fond of American football, the sport he’s been playing since he was 16 years old.

 He was born in a very close-knit family in South Lebanon but his hometown Sidon is located at a stones throw from the border with Israel. This is a very volatile area and fighting could erupt at anytime. This lead Ibrahim’s father to send his son abroad for a bright future as the move could allow him to enjoy a more peaceful education. When you speak to Ibrahim you immediately know which country he headed off to. His distinctive American accent tells you where he’s been living for the last sixteen years. He was fortunate enough to pursue his education in his new adoptive country and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Applied Mathematics at Mansfield University. In addition, Ibrahim completed a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Widener University in Philadelphia.

“My time at University was very wonderful, I enjoyed my courses and played sports especially Basketball and American Football. Most of all that’s when I met my lovely wife Jennifer as we were both at Mansfield University” says Ibrahim.

He now works for Global Biologies Supply Chain (GBSC) and he came to Ireland to assist with ongoing work for a pharmaceutical plant in Co Cork.

Ibrahim was still getting acquainted with this new environment when he came across Keith and Chris who are members of Cork Admirals and there was no hesitation when the opportunity to join them arose. The Club, founded in Spring 2002, joined the Irish American Football League (IAFL) in 2003 and has improved a lot; in a matter of a couple of years they have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. According to 32 year-old Ibrahim they are now at the same level of a Division 3 club in America. “In America players are much bigger and faster but the improvement over here is there for all to see” he remarks. The level of all clubs evolving in the IAFL has considerably improved since this league was created in 1987 and obviously the Cork Admirals are going places. In the near future they will undoubtedly be at the level of a good side plying their trade in the American Division 2. “I wouldn’t be surprised if in five years or so some of our players are signed to play as professionals in America” adds the connoisseur Ibrahim.

The Admirals are  a well balanced and very friendly club with a mixture of different nationalities. Apart from Irish lads the club counts in its ranks a Dutchman, a Frenchman, a British player, a German, 2 Americans and one Australian. Ibrahim expects to stay with this Club for as long as he is in Ireland. If  he stays injury-free of course.

He is in Ireland for one more year and that’s when he’ll decide what to do next. “I’ll probably get back to New Jersey or I’ll travel the world discovering new places such as the Far East. I find countries like Japan, China or Singapore very fascinating” he says.

Ibrahim, who’s a qualified pilot with 150 hours-flights under his belt, has certainly more flights to do and so do the Cork Admirals who are poised to fly to even greater heights.