During the same period, in 1984 exactly, American Football fans in Dublin advertised for players in the National press and sixty five players turned up for the first training session  in the Phoenix park. As a result the first kitted team in Ireland, the Dublin Celts, was born. The public in the country was going to enjoy in their own “backyards” the sport they had only watched on the small screen sitting in their living rooms. However, as incredible as this might sound, the fist game of American Football had been played in Ireland nearly 40 years earlier when two teams of U.S servicemen exhibited their skills in front of 8,000 spectators at Ravenhill in Belfast in 1942. This game was staged with the only aim to raise money for the Red Cross. 4 years later a similar game was played in CROKE PARK, Dublin and opposed two sides of U.S servicemen on their way home from the second World War. That was pretty unusual for the historic arena for the GAA to host a so-called “foreign” sport.

In 1987 the Irish American Football or IAFL was founded and 11 teams joined it in its first full league. The Dublin Celts won it and this victory saw them through the prestigious EuroBowl (European Championship) in 1988.

The IAFL is Ireland’s official adult full contact American Football league and it’s made of teams from across the island competing for the SHAMROCK BOWL, Ireland’s championship. The elite of the IAFL is now composed of 3 teams from the North (the Belfast Bulls, the Belfast Trojans and the Carricfergus Knights), 3 teams from Dublin area (the Dublin Rebels, the Dublin Dragons and the Dublin City University Saints) and 3 teams from  South, they are the University Limerick Vikings, the Tallaght Outlaws and the Cork Admirals.

 The Cork Admirals are the only kitted American Football in Cork. They play 11-a-side football in the IAFL and are currently in their fifth full season  in the League. They are well organized with sound structures such as the youth programs.  The youth teams welcome kids between the age of 10 to 15 and they play Flag Football which is 5-a side non contact version of American Football. Playing this version is more fun and safe which makes it very appealing to kids.

These young footballers have proved their worth by beating recently the Dublin Rebels. The match was attended by the senior players and they were unanimous to predict a bright future for the Admirals. The same would apply to the other teams across the island.