AS A COMMITTED reader of TheScore.ie, you already know that Ireland will host it’s second high profile college American football game in three years, and that talks are taking place to secure two more such games before the end of the decade.
However, you may not know that Ireland has it’s own thriving American football scene, with it’s show-piece event – The Shamrock Bowl – taking place on Saturday, June 20 in Tallaght Stadium.
We’ll be carrying interviews with both teams ahead of the event but here’s a run down of what it’s all about.
Who?
Belfast Trojans v Dublin Rebels.
The Rebels are historically Ireland’s most successful club with seven Shamrock Bowl wins to their name from nine appearances. They have failed to make the Shamrock Bowl just twice in the last decade.
The Trojans are one of Ireland’s newest clubs having competed in the Irish American Football League (IAFL) since 2007. They are the defending Shamrock Bowl champions though, having defeated the UL Vikings 16-14 last July. They are also undefeated this season.
The Rebels and Trojans have met twice already this year with Belfast winning 26-6 on the road and 35-0 at home.
What?
The Shamrock Bowl is the championship game of the IAFL and was first played in 1986 when the Craigavon Cowboys beat the Dublin Celts 6-0 in St Mary’s RFC in Dublin.
There have been nine different winners of the event over the years, with the Dublin Rebels the most successful team with seven wins. The Dublin Celts (no longer in existence) have four while UL Vikings, Carrickfergus Knights and the disbanded Dublin Tornadoes won three each.
The Craigavon Cowboys have two wins while the Dublin Tigers, Dublin Lightning (both no longer in existence) and Belfast Trojans have one each.
The Trojan’s Fu Faapito in action earlier this season
Image: Belfast Trojans
Where?
The Shamrock Bowl has travelled all over Ireland from Down to Belfast and Limerick to Louth.
However, since 2010, the Irish American Football Association has agreed a deal with Tallaght Stadium, home of Shamrock Rovers, to host it’s marquee event at the South Dublin venue. In 2011 though, the game was moved to Morton Stadium in Santry due to Rovers’ Champions League commitments.
It returned to Tallaght in 2012 and does so again this year.
When?
This year’s Bowl takes place on Saturday, July 20 at 2pm. Tickets for the game are €8 on the gate.
However, you can get them for €5 in advance by clicking on the following link and using the promo code: sb27_iafl
Why?
Well if it’s anything like last year’s game, you’re in for a treat:
YouTube: Belfast Trojans
