UCD American Football, founded in 2009, are entering their eleventh competitive kitted season this year and their ninth year competing in the Shamrock Bowl Conference, which is the top division in the American Football Ireland league. In November of 2019, UCD won the College Championships for the third consecutive year, which they have won four times overall vs the other American Football college teams, University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin.
UCD are having one of their best years for recruiting this year since they have been founded. The team currently has around 60 players coming from a range of different countries, with the most popular being the United States aside from Ireland. There are a number of stand-out rookie players on both Offense and Defense who we can’t wait to see playing in the regular season. Last Sunday, UCD hosted a sold out Super Bowl party in DTwo which was a great fundraiser for the club and helped the teammates bond with each other before the SBC season begins.
Before the students begin their SBC season, they will play a friendly game vs the Cill Dara Crusaders, who are a division below in AFI1, on Sunday the 16th of February at 2pm on the Rugby Astro pitch, beside the soccer five-a-side cages. UCD’s home games for the season are: Sunday 8th March vs UL, Sunday 31st May vs West Dublin Rhinos, Sunday 21st June vs Cork Admirals and Saturday 11th July vs Belfast Trojans. All games will either be played on the Rugby Astro pitch or the Thornfield pitch.
UCD are also proud to have eleven players and coaches on the Irish National Team: The Irish Wolfhounds, who defeated the Belgian Barbarians for the second time in September of 2019. UCD have not won a Shamrock Bowl yet and are hoping this is the year where they obtain their first one, as they have narrowly lost in the playoffs the last two years.
UCD are always recruiting and welcome any student who wishes to give American Football a try so get in touch if you would like to join or find out more information.
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Thomas – Club Secretary & Defensive Back
