2026 American Football Ireland Season Preview
It seems like only yesterday that we were down in Dubarry Park, watching on as the Belfast Trojans hoisted their sixth Shamrock Bowl. The Green Machine has just defeated reigning champions UCD, reasserting their position as the best team in the country. This result was the culmination of Head Coach Phil Gunning’s three year plan for the team, and was their first title since 2019. Earlier that day, the Louth Mavericks claimed victory in the Harp Bowl, overcoming the Westmeath Minotaurs to gain promotion back to the Premier Division for the first time since 2017. The Ty Henry effect was evident in his first year as Head Coach/Quarterback, and will be crucial again as the Mavs embark on a new journey in the top flight of Irish American Football. Now, we’re on the cusp of a new season and Irish American football is finally back! So, what lies in store for these teams and the rest of the league for 2026? Keep reading to find out!Â
Let’s start in Division One, where the promotion of Louth back to the top flight of Irish American football has blown things wide open. Most teams here could walk away with a win come July, but after a heartbreaking loss in Athlone last summer, the Westmeath Minotaurs have the most motivation, and frankly, the best chance of making it happen. Let’s not forget that they’ve been crowned champions before, and 2025 could be the year they run it back.
With Joe Kinahan returning to his rightful place at Quarterback and a bevy of talented players such as Rafa Monteiro, Domas Vilys and Cathal Dunne it’s hard to see past this team, who are without a doubt the ones to beat – with a massive target on their backs. Westmeath had been operating with former UCD standout Eoin Feely as Head Coach throughout the offseason, but will now move forward with Bill Dougherty at the helm – a man who has been a true servant to Irish American football over the years.
Outside of Westmeath, the Panthers, Crusaders, Rhinos and Eagles are all in strong contention to be dominant forces in the 2026 edition of American Football Ireland’s Division One. Despite a near implosion last season, which saw them lose several key players and be demoted, the Panthers are still a dangerous outfit IF they can get their act together and sort out who’s actually in charge on and off the field. The Crusaders meanwhile have consistently been playoff contenders in the past few seasons but have never really been able to take that next step. That could all change with the return of one Tomiwa Oyewo. Fresh off a successful career in the European League of Football, the talented Running Back returns home to anchor the Crusaders offense. Oyewo is lethal both as a runner and pass catcher and I expect him to give opposing defenses fits this season and be the difference maker for the Kildare outfit.
As for Wexford and West Dublin, I would classify these teams as wildcards entering the new Irish American football season. The Eagles have a solid core of great lads, but have always seemed to struggle with numbers. There’s only so much that stalwarts such as Trevor Smith, Terry Carey, Paddy Bisset and Head Coach Ross McCooey can do with limited resources and I’d love it if this was the year that the Eagles became serious contenders again. Let’s not overlook the fact that they claimed the Division One plate last season either. These boys can play!
The Rhinos on the other hand seem to be suffering from a case of “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” now for quite some time. They last reached the final back in 2024, in which they fell to eventual champions Craigavon. It’s not a lack of talent holding them back by any means, I just think that other teams have been better. There were definite flashes a season ago which makes me believe that they can be legitimate contenders this year if things go their way.
I haven’t forgotten about the Vipers, Giants and Stags either by the way. Each team took big steps towards being competitive last season, and if anyone from this group can push for a playoff spot in 2026 it’s going to be the Vipers., especially with Paul O’Donnell calling the shots and a fresh crop of new talent. The Giants and Stags have plenty of skilled players on both sides of the ball and I hope they prove me wrong!
Well, how about them Trojans? Not much else can be said about their truly dominant reign last season other than the fact that I fully expect them to run it back. And I’m sure that I’m not the only one with that point of view. They are the best drilled, most organised and well oiled machine in the league by a mile and it will take a massive upset for anyone to dethrone them in 2026. The return of Rayshawn Boswell and a squad of 50+ players only serves to bolster their chances of back to back Shamrock Bowl titles. Unsurprisingly I’m picking them to be champions again this season.Â
Having said all that, I don’t believe that any team is truly infallible. And in my mind, there are two sides that could cause problems for Belfast in the AFI premier division.
First up, UCD. The two time champions ran the Trojans close last season, but ultimately looked like they lacked the hunger to finish the job. Truth be told, they just seemed to be going through the motions and never really got out of the low gears. That mentality needs to be banished if they want to reclaim the titles of top dogs, especially with the likes of Louth entering the fray. With some of the best players in the league at their disposal including Tom Donovan and Arun Mooney, and a top caliber coach in Darragh Farrell, they’ll need to recapture the spar from a few years ago if winning another trophy is the goal for this season.
Speaking of the Louth Mavericks – front man Ty Henry is no stranger to leading teams to success. With several titles to his name already, and after decimating opposing defenses last season I would be shocked if this team didn’t rattle a few cages. They certainly have the beating of the likes of the Cowboys and Vikings (and maybe even the Rebels and a Cork side who by all accounts are struggling with numbers) One issue that could present a challenge for the Mavs is their offensive and defensive lines. Those lads have plenty of miles on the clock, and will be taking on much bigger oppositions in the premier division. Overall though I would peg the Louth men to land a playoff spot in their return to the big leagues, especially with all the talent they have.
Now for the rest of the pack. Even in the midst of somewhat of a rebuilding season last year the Rebels still managed to seal playoff football through the solid play of QB Sam Doran, Jack Cronin, Mike Masari et al. They are certainly on track to recapture former glory but probably still have a long way to go. A new Head Coach would be helpful and at the time of writing I still hadn’t ascertained who that might be. That said I still expect them to be competitive and push for a playoff spot again, along with a young Cork Admirals side. Someone mentioned in passing to me recently that the Ads were struggling to get a squad together, which would be a shame given how much progress they made last season. Despite their struggles and the loss of Head Coach Brendan Kelleher, who stepped down in protest of officiating issues I think they can be a very good team on their day, and while they might not be quite ready to make a return to the Shamrock Bowl just yet they’ll certainly give any team a run for their money.
Rounding things out we have the Knights, Cowboys and Vikings. The other Belfast side almost made the postseason last year, just falling short, and with young guns Zac McDowell, Isaac Searle and a host of other young talented players set to take the next step they are definitely a team to keep an eye on. As for the Cowboys and Vikings, they duked it out in 2025 to avoid relegation and only for the Panthers going down by default, it would have been Craigavon getting dumped out. Like many other teams they’re going through a period of transition and would be as well off in Division One until they’re ready to be competitive again. The same can be said for UL, who put it up to stronger sides but never quite figured out how to win when it mattered.
Thanks for reading my 2026 AFI season preview and don’t forget to follow Gaelic Gridiron on all social media platforms for the best coverage throughout the season!