The Irish Game

Schedules to be officially released tomorrow or monday. Excited much?

Anyone know why the vipers refused to join the SBC? Seems a strange one to me, unless the thought of it sent a lot of lads back to tyrone?

Guffy wrote: »

Schedules to be officially released tomorrow or monday. Excited much?

Anyone know why the vipers refused to join the SBC? Seems a strange one to me, unless the thought of it sent a lot of lads back to tyrone?

The Vipers didn't refuse to go up they were invited up (without winning promotion) by the league an invite they thought about, initially accepted but then before the deadline declined.

There's lots a factors as to why, things like there home ground got severely flooded at the tail end of last year, a good lot of gear with it, when it dried up (5 weeks later) Japanese knotwood was found meaning it might never by playable again.

Going up would be at the detriment of the team, with all that was going on postseason. Better to stay put and try and earn promotion over the next few seasons than go up underprepaired.

Oh and there were rumours after the AGM that Vipers can't field a team, rest assured that this never has been the case and hopefully never will be. It won't be the 45 / 50 squad of last 2016, but a long way off not fielding a team.

eet fuk wrote: »

Thinking of heading out for the Cill Dara Crusaders rookie day tomorrow. Anyone here involved with the team? Anyone know what I could expect?

For some reason my posts won’t go through on the Facebook page so I’m just asking here on the off chance anyone has done something similar recently!

Hi,

Only thought to check the boards here and saw your post!
Just to let you know we have relocated to the Naas Sports Centre.

if you have any questions about the team i'll do my best to answer

Rob (Secretary for Cill Dara Crusaders)

Paladonia wrote: »

Been tempted to tryout for one of the local teams for a couple of years now but always been put off by having never played the sport, and not being particularly big (5'11", 82kg).

I am fairly fit - I go to the gym and have played other sports previously, and have a good knowledge of the sport from watching it for years.

Anyone have similar experiences or advice?

All I would say is to do it. Don't worry about lack of experience, most guys in this league came in with no experience.

And don't worry about the size either. There are positions for all shapes and sizes. I'm only 5'5" and 75kg and have played 5 years

conor222 wrote: »

Just swing out and give it a go, I played over in the UK for a few years at a very similar size to you 5'10 and 82-85kg. Are you quick? I really enjoyed CB and S but we played all over once injuries came in (including a very eventful series with me as DE :pac::pac::pac:)

I was thinking CB or maybe a slot receiver. I wouldn't say I'm quick but I'm not slow either.

Thanks for the replies so far. Plenty more time to weigh up my options before next season rolls around anyway.

Paladonia wrote: »

Been tempted to tryout for one of the local teams for a couple of years now but always been put off by having never played the sport, and not being particularly big (5'11", 82kg).

I am fairly fit - I go to the gym and have played other sports previously, and have a good knowledge of the sport from watching it for years.

Anyone have similar experiences or advice?

I came in two years ago 6ft and 70Kg

theres a position for most builds and i'd no experience, just went in for the craic more than anything else, I haven't looked back since.

Well worth picking up. where are you based?

Paladonia wrote: »

North Kildare so I was thinking maybe the team based in Westmanstown.

Panthers!

good bunch of lads, lot of experience there, We're in Naas ourselves.

But definitely stick your head into a club, they're always looking for new players and to be honest, the craic and the fun is brilliant.

Thanks lads.

Is there much travelling involved for games? I see that there are teams from Belfast, Limerick, etc.

Colohall wrote: »

The 2 Kildare teams have merged and are based in Naas. Sound bunch of lads, and could do with more bodies so good landing spot for someone starting out

We need all the bodies we can get!

naughtb4 wrote: »

Are there any underage (u-16)teams ?

No. The youth system atm is for 16-19 year olds.

Id imagine we are quite a long way from an u16 league

Hi guys

Extremely interested in training, learning and hopefully playing with a team in Dublin - I'm totally open minded, going into this as a complete novice but will be 100% dedicated and committed. 31, 6'2, 184lbs.

Is there any way you can assist me or point me in the right direction? When does the Irish league traditionally start? I'm currently living in Smithfield/City Centre but willing to travel anywhere.

Like I said, I have zero experience but willing to learn!

Any info greatly appreciated

There's two conferences, Shamrock Bowl Conference and IAFL1 Conference. The Shamrock Bowl is the upper tier conference.

Last season, the SBC started in early March and the IAFL1 started in early April. You're picking the perfect time to start as most teams will be just starting their pre-season training soon regardless of which conference they're in.

In the SBC, there is UCD and Trinity College (although I think you have to be one of their students to join), Dublin Rebels, South Dublin Panthers and the newly promoted West Dublin Rhinos.

In IAFL1, there is the North Dublin Pirates.

I think all teams have open Facebook pages so you can see contact details and where they're located. There's also the IAFL website: americanfootball.ie

Big Pussy Bonpensiero wrote: »

Always Be Closing wrote: »

Hi guys

Extremely interested in training, learning and hopefully playing with a team in Dublin - I'm totally open minded, going into this as a complete novice but will be 100% dedicated and committed. 31, 6'2, 184lbs.

Is there any way you can assist me or point me in the right direction? When does the Irish league traditionally start? I'm currently living in Smithfield/City Centre but willing to travel anywhere.

Like I said, I have zero experience but willing to learn!

Any info greatly appreciated

South Dublin Panthers are very good for beginners. They are a growing club and take on quite a few rookies every year. They are extremely friendly and go out of the way to make sure rookies are catered for, not to mention they provide pads and helmets for rookies also, which saves you the expense of buying them just to see if you like it! They're also building a strong squad and it won't be long before they're challenging for titles. They ran the eventual winners this year (Cork) the closest - lost in double OT down in Cork. They also beat them down in Cork in the regular season.
They train out of Westmanstown though, but there's always 1 or 2 driving out from the city if you need a lift.

Trinity have folded btw, so they no longer have a team.

Whatever you do, just don't join the Rebels :pac:

Thanks for writing all that mate, really informative and answered a lot of questions I had

I think it’s a choice between the Panthers and the Pirates from what I’ve read on here

Always Be Closing wrote: »

Thanks for writing all that mate, really informative and answered a lot of questions I had

I think it’s a choice between the Panthers and the Pirates from what I’ve read on here

Just fyi there is a massive gulf in standard between Shamrock Bowl and IAFL 1. Shamrock Bowl isn't exactly a high standard or anything but teams are a lot more structured and organised.
IAFL 1 is very casual. It might suit you better but if you're even halfway decent I'd strongly encourage you to try out for a Shamrock Bowl team. You could always try a few training sessions with a Shamrock bowl team and drop down then if you want something more casual.

Got rookie trials with the North Dublin Pirates on the 21st

Absolutely buzzing for it