AFI Championship Preview
The 2025 Irish American Football championship games are set, and on Saturday July 19th a triple header spectacular will descend on Dubarry Park in Athlone as the top teams in the country are set to clash. Along with the Harp Bowl and Shamrock Bowl title bouts, women’s flag football will be featured at a major Irish American football final for the first time ever, with the inaugural Claddagh League playoffs taking centre stage.
After one of the most exciting and competitive domestic seasons to date which saw clubs getting bigger and better and with more talented players and dedicated supporters emerging than ever before, this weekend’s finale promises to be one to remember. And with the prospect of two major international games of American football on the horizon in Ireland later this year, the Irish American Football championship games serve as the perfect appetizer for what is guaranteed to be an absolutely massive year for the sport here.
Proceedings in Athlone are scheduled to get underway at 12 noon with the Louth Mavericks squaring off against the Westmeath Minotaurs in the Harp Bowl final showdown. The Raging Bulls previously ran over Westmeath earlier in the season on a scoreline of 48-7, and have seemingly been destined to make the final after crashing out in the semis back in 2024. With Ty Henry at the helm and the addition of some other key offensive pieces ( namely Fin O’Donovan) they have been almost unstoppable this season, surpassing 60 points on several occasions. But the Minotaurs are much improved since then, and will be far from a pushover.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge of tackling the Louth Mavericks on July 19th.” said Head Coach and Quarterback Conor Brennan. “They have been firing on all cylinders and are a very complete team from top to bottom. We enter the game looking to provide a much stiffer challenge than last time out, hoping to put on a big performance at home in Athlone.”
Indeed the Westmeath outfit are very much holding the advantage of being the de facto home side and should draw a large contingent of support. But whether or not they can stymie the sheer firepower of their opponents will ultimately be the key to success. Louth are the clear favourites in this contest, but an upset could well be on the cards and nothing can ever be taken for granted. Either way this should be a very interesting encounter.
The intrigue continues immediately after the Division One decider as UCD, the Trojans, Red Bows, Panthers, Mavericks and Vipers women’s flag football teams contest the Claddagh Bowl playoffs and final. Now, in all honesty we haven’t really been keeping tabs on Women’s flag football this year (and we intend to change that) but the level of skill and passion on display by those involved throughout the season has been phenomenal, and bodes extremely well for the future of flag football in Ireland. The playoffs themselves will actually take place during the Harp Bowl with the Panthers facing the winner of 3rd vs 6th place and the Trojans hosting whoever emerges victorious from the clash between 4th and 5th seeds, with the championship game slated for 3.50pm on the main pitch.
These are going to be very competitive fixtures so make sure you stay in your seats! As a precursor to the main event we’ll also have the 3rd place playoff game, which will see the playoff runners up duke it out for their share of the bragging rights. Flag football in Ireland has experienced a meteoric rise and incorporating the Claddagh Bowl into the AFI championship weekend was an excellent move to promote the sport. And it makes an excellent addition to the experience!
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… our main event of the day, the 2025 Shamrock Bowl! Belfast and UCD have been on a collision course all season long: destined to clash in the championship game. And as the top two teams in the country, they have earned the right to compete for all the glory. The Trojans got the better of the Belfield boys on the road earlier this season, and with a perfect 8-0 record will have a slight advantage coming into the game. But UCD are used to being in the big moments; they’re the reigning champs and have claimed two out of three previous titles. Belfast on the other hand are making their first Shamrock Bowl appearance since their 2019 victory over the Panthers. After somewhat of a playoff win drought in previous seasons they are back with a bang, and 48 minutes away from claiming a historic 6th Shamrock Bowl title.
“To be back at the pinnacle of American Football in Ireland is a testament to the collective efforts of so many talented and driven people within this club.” said Trojans President Hassan Jaffar.
“The senior team has undergone a complete overhaul in our coaching staff, led by Head Coach Gunning, and built a roster capable of competing at this level. It is safe to say this is a completely new team from the one that hoisted the national championship back at Donnybrook stadium”.
The Green Machine has indeed undergone significant improvements this year, with notable prowess on offense where the duo of Dom Lynn and Rayshawn Boswell have led a ferociously potent attack. To that end, UCD could be considered underdogs for the first time since their first bowl appearance in 2022 and will have their hands full containing a Trojan side that can make things happen on any part of the field.
“We’re thrilled to be returning to our fourth consecutive Shamrock Bowl, and especially excited for our first-ever matchup against the Belfast Trojans. The team has been working incredibly hard since the end of the regular season, and we’re looking forward to taking the field in Athlone.” UCD Head Coach Darragh Farrell told Gaelic Gridiron. “I’m proud of the effort and focus the players have shown, we know we’ll need to be at our very best to overcome a talented and in-form Trojans side. It’s shaping up to be an action-packed day of football, and we’ll be doing everything we can to bring the Shamrock Bowl back to Belfield.”
The balance of power in the league has certainly shifted and now the Trojans have an opportunity to reestablish themselves as the best team in the land. But will they see it through to the end or will they fall at the final hurdle? Get down to Dubarry Park in Athlone this Saturday to find out!
No matter the outcome of Saturday’s much anticipated matchup this is going to be a fantastic day of American football that fans of all ages can enjoy. Tickets are on sale here: https://www.universe.com/events/american-football-ireland-championship-tripleheader-tickets-BRCKY7 and we’ll see you then!