Carrickfergus Knights

The UL Vikings faced the Dublin Rebels in a rematch of last years Shamrock Bowl and the game proved to be another close fought and entertaining spectacle. It took place in Cooke RFC in Belfast in front of a large crowd from all over the country. The Dublin Rebels had the better run of form this year, handing the Vikings their only defeat of the year early in the season in Limerick. The two sides also played out an intense 14-14 draw in the return leg in Dublin. The third meeting of the teams would prove to be the most dramatic and entertaining.

Rebels Sam Hodgins #8 takes a hand off

After the pre-game ceremonies were completed the Rebels won the coin toss and elected to defer so the Vikings received and Brendan McCarthy took UL out to the 30 yard line. It must be said that both teams special teams units performed extremely well on the day and field position was the key of the game. On the Vikings first drive Ross McCooey pressured Vikings Quarterback Liam Ryan and disrupted a number of plays, forcing the Vikings into a 3 and out. The Vikings kicker, Daniel Smith, pinned the Rebels back deep in their half. The game was a cagey affair with both teams unwilling to risk turnovers. The Rebels moved the ball with short passes from QB Andy Dennehy to his receivers Barry Flinn and Mike Kresowaty. The Vikings secondary did well to corral the receivers once the catch was made to ensure no extra yards were gained. When the Vikings were on Offence the ball remained predominantly on the ground with backs Adrian Garvey, James Twomey and Jim Davis picking up solid yards behind the blocking of the Vikings O-line. At the end of the first quarter the teams remained scoreless.

Vikings QB Liam Ryan #17 tries to outrun Rebels LB Kevin Healy #43.

Early in the second quarter the running game of the Rebels kicked into gear with former Vienna Viking, Florian Heiss and Sam Hodgins picking good running lanes. Hodgins eventually broke one run through the Vikings D and put the Rebels ahead 6-0. Vikings Middle Linebacker Jim Davis blocked the extra point attempt. The Vikings then took over on Offence and drove down the pitch with a number of aggressive runs, one block by TE Marc Ashworth in particular showing the sheer physicality of the game. Adrian Garvey punched the ball in from 11 yards out with an excellent second effort. The extra point snap was bobbled and the teams went in at the half tied at 6-6.

Vikings JP Nerbun #12 tackles Rebels Florian Hess #23.

The third and fourth quarters were dominated by intense physical battles on both sides of the ball as neither team was willing to give an inch. Jim Davis, Brendan McCarthy and Glen Carr stuffed run after run by the Rebels while Ross McCooey, Brian Carter and Andy Flynn replicated for the Dublin side. Carter and JP Nerbun had two interceptions each as each team started to open up their offence as the game progressed. Each team also missed field goals that would have won the game for either side.

Rebels TE Paul Smyth #94 is tackled after making a catch.

Heading into the fourth quarter the Vikings began to find running room, breaking off some big runs and hitting long passes only to be repeatedly called back for penalties which killed off drive after drive. The Rebels skillfully defended the long pitch and kept the Vikings from breaking the big play that would have clinched the game. As the 4th quarter winded down Danny Smith punted for the Vikings and the ball was downed on the Rebels 1 yard line. The Vikings D, smelling blood, sent the house at the Rebels who manfully got their noses out of the danger zone and ensured the game went to overtime with two strong runs by Florian Heiss.

Full house at Cooke Rugby Club for Shamrock Bowl XXIII

The rules for IAFL overtime are the NFL sudden death rules. Basically whichever team scores first wins the game. This added even more tension and drama to an already amazing game. The Rebels won the second coin toss and elected to receive. Kresowaty was shut down again on the return, this time John Mullen living up to his Rookie of the Year status with a crunching hit. Dennehy took the ball on his 25 yard line and went to the air. On one pass JP Nerbun stepped in front of the short route and picked the ball off to give the Vikings a chance at victory. A couple of Adrian Garvey runs put the Vikings into field goal range and Danny Smith stepped up to kick the 33 yard field goal to give the Vikings the victory.

Vikings celebrate victory

The game MVP went to a deserving Adrian Garvey who had over 100 yards on the ground against a talented and physical Rebels Defence. The Rebels and Vikings should be proud of the level of football on display in the Shamrock Bowl, showing that Ireland has plenty of young footballing talent. The future is bright for the sport in the country.

During 2000, plans were made to resurrect the IAFL. The only fixture to be played in Ireland that year was an Irish selection against a visiting high school team - Mount St. Josephs from Maryland USA. In 2001, the Carrickfergus Knights, Dublin Dragons, Dublin Rebels and University of Limerick Vikings played a full league season of football. The Dublin Rebels defeated the Carrickfergus Knights in Shamrock Bowl XV, which was played in Carrickfergus.

All 4 teams participated in the reformation of the Irish American Football League (IAFL). A new league structure and administration was put in place and the IAFL helped form the Irish American Football Association (IAFA) - the new national governing body for the sport. During 2002, the sport found a new lease on life in Ireland. Again, 4 teams contested the league with the Carrickfergus Knights defeating the UL Vikings in Shamrock Bowl XVI. However, during the course of the year there were some significant developments. Firstly, 3 development teams applied to join the league for 2003. Secondly, an Irish team won an International club competition for the first time ever. In June, the Dublin Rebels travelled to Belgium and won the Charleroi Trophy against the Charleroi Cougars and two French teams - Reims Champs and Forbach Taupes. The season finished on a high note with the visit of Team Canada, the Canadian U21 team. The Carrickfergus Knights played Team Canada in Dublin and performed well in a 34-6 defeat.

2003 turned out to be one of the best years ever for Irish American football. 3 more teams - Cork, Belfast & Craigavon joined the IAFL bringing the total up to 7. The Carrickfergus Knights, Cork Admirals, Dublin Dragons and Dublin Rebels played in Division 1. The Belfast Bulls, Craigavon Cowboys and UL Vikings played in Division 2 which was created to help development teams get competitive game experience.

Membership in the IAFL increased significantly and the standard of play was higher than in previous years. In June 2003, the Dublin Rebels returned to Belgium to defend their Charleroi Trophy title. They were joined in Belgium by the Carrickfergus Knights. The Rebels won the Charleroi Trophy, defeating local team, the Charleroi Cougars in the Tournament final. The Knights came 3rd, ahead of French team, Celtes de Mitry.

The Knights finished first in the league to qualify for the Shamrock Bowl. The Rebels beat the Cork Admirals in the semi-final and then defeated the Knights 24-12 in a spectacular Shamrock Bowl XVII, played at Suttonians RFC in Dublin. The game attracted a large crowd and some media attention - highlights were broadcast on TV3 in Ireland and Sky Sports throughout Europe. The Belfast Bulls won the Division 2 title. The season finished with the first ever IAFL Allstar game in which the North defeated the South 7-0.

During the 2003/2004 off-season, Coach Phil DeMonte (ex-Oxford University Cavaliers) was appointed as the Head Coach of the Irish National Team and IAFL Allstars. Coach DeMonte will also help with the education of coaches throughout Ireland. 2004 promised to be the best season ever for Irish American football both on and off the field and did not fail to deliver. 6 teams played a full competitive league schedule and the standard of play was higher than at any time in the previous 10 years. IAFL membership reached an all time high of more than 300 registered players. All teams had bigger rosters and most of the rookies were in the 17-21 age group. The Dublin Rebels defeated the Carrickfergus Knights 24-22 in Shamrock Bowl XVIII. The game, which attracted a record attendance for an IAFL game, is regarded as the best ever Shamrock Bowl. 2004 also saw the return of the Ireland team. The team played two fixtures including the inaugural Celtic Classic against John Carroll University from Ohio, USA.

In 2005 the same six teams competed for the Shamrock Bowl. Again the Rebels ran out victorious with a tough fought win against the Belfast Bulls in the big game. The 2006 season saw the addition of new teams the DCU Saints and Dublin Marshals to the IAFL making the total number of competing teams, 8, the highest it had been in many years. The UL Vikings faced the Rebels in the Bowl game, which the Rebels won, making it their fourth consecutive Shamrock Bowl win.

The 2007 season was contested by nine teams, following the addition of the Belfast Trojans and the Tallaght Outlaws to the league. The 2007 Shamrock Bowl was won by UL Vikings.

After the 2008 season, the Tallaght Outlaws decided to stop playing in the league, after playing 2 full seasons in the league. The Outlaws had an overall record of 0-16, the worst record in the IAFL.