American Football in Ireland is back from its break, and Teams up and down the country are gearing up for the 2017 season. Rookies are being recruited, gym sessions are kicking off and helmets are getting dusted off. With a long winter of preseason ahead for Irish American Football, now is the time to get stuck into the fastest growing sport in Ireland.
Why should I play American Football in Ireland?
There are so many reasons why you should get involved with American Football in Ireland. Firstly, the sport here is played for love, not money. All the American football players and coached in Ireland dedicate their time and energy for free. They play American football simply because they want to. Irish American Football players have a passion for the sport and put their heart and soul into playing.
Secondly the game here is played to the highest of standards. Players wear all the gear and don’t hold back on the hits. If you play American football in Ireland you get to be part of a live game every Sunday. Imagine playing in a full contact game on a Sunday afternoon and after, going home to watching your favourite team on TV . Now we’re not saying you’ll be the next Tom Brady, but you will get to experience what American Football is like in real life.
And finally, the Irish American Football League boasts some of the best players in Europe. In September of 2016 we sent a squad to play an international game against the Dutch National Team in Holland. Every year, the National Champions go to the Atlantic Cup, where they play against some of the top clubs in Europe. The standard of American Football in Ireland is always on the rise, and now is the perfect opportunity for you to get involved.
How do I get involved?
There are American football teams in every province in Ireland. Dublin has the highest concentration of teams; boasting the Rhinos, the Panthers, the Rebels, The Pirates along with College teams in UCD and Trinity. In Wexford you can find the Eagles, While in Waterford and Galway you can play for the Wolves and the Warriors respectively. Further south in Limerick and in Cork are two stalwarts of Irish American Football in the UL Vikings and the Admirals. On your way back up North you will come across the North Kildare Reapers and the South Kildare Soldiers.
Northern Ireland is a stronghold for American Football in Ireland with the likes of the Trojans, the Cowboys, the Knights and the recently crowned third division champions the Donegal/Derry Vipers.Also based in the North are the Antrim Jets and the PSNI Razorbacks .And lest we forget the Titans, the Mavericks, the Bulldogs and the Minotaurs: based in Tyrone, Louth, Meath and Mullingar! Phew! That’s a lot of teams for such a small island and a whole lot of opportunity’s to play here, no matter what corner of the country you come from.
All of these Teams are now actively recruiting for their 2017 seasons and would love to heat from you. If you want to play American Football in Ireland in 2017 then now is the time to get involved!
