League: Irish American Football League

Dublin Celts vs Belfast Blitzers

Summer Bowl Final 1986

Dublin Celts won the first ever “Jack Daniels Summer Bowl” in De La Salle Palmerston Rugby Club in Kilternan, Dublin, held in celebration of American Independence Day in 1986. The Celts defeated Belfast Blitzers in the Final of the four-team tournament, played with a modified game clock, with Semi-Finals played over 60 minutes (15 Minute Quarters) with a running clock and the Final played over 80 minutes, again with a running clock, this time of 20 minute quarters.

References

[1] Anon. (1986) “Photo Caption” Irish Independent. Friday, June 27, 1986. Pg. 13

[2] Anon. (1986) “Tony Ward gets set to bowl over Blitzers” The Sunday Tribune. 6 July 1986. pg. 15

[3] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Reply to Post by David Turner, August 12, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 16 August 2019]

Past Copies of the Irish Independent and Sunday Tribune are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/

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Belfast Blitzers vs Coleraine Chieftains

The second Semi-Final of the “Jack Daniels Summer Bowl”, an American Football Tournament held in De La Salle Palmerston’s Rugby Grounds in Kilternan, Dublin in celebration of American Independence Day 1986 was won by Belfast Blitzers who met Dublin Celts in the Final. Linfield Soccer star Peter Rafferty was Blitzers guest player for the day.

References

[1] Anon. (1986) “Photo Caption” Irish Independent. Friday, June 27, 1986. Pg. 13

[2] Anon. (1986) “Tony Ward gets set to bowl over Blitzers” The Sunday Tribune. 6 July 1986. pg. 15

[3] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Reply to Post by David Turner, August 12, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 16 August 2019]

Past Copies of the Irish Independent and Sunday Tribune are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/

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Dublin Celts vs Craigavon Cowboys

The first Semi-Final of the “Jack Daniels Summer Bowl” American Football Tournament on July 6 1986 in a celebration of American Independence Day. Tony Ward, the famous Irish Rugby player was guest kicker for the Dublin Celts who won the match and went on to meet Belfast Blitzers in the Final.

References

[1] Anon. (1986) “Photo Caption” Irish Independent. Friday, June 27, 1986. Pg. 13

[2] Anon. (1986) “Tony Ward gets set to bowl over Blitzers” The Sunday Tribune. 6 July 1986. pg. 15

[3] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Reply to Post by David Turner, August 12, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 16 August 2019]

Past Copies of the Irish Independent and Sunday Tribune are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/

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Belfast Blitzers vs Dublin Celts

Belfast Blitzers became the first ever team to beat the Dublin Celts, triumphing 24-20 in the 2nd Leg of the Capital Cup which doubled as an IAFL match on 22 June 1986 at Cooke Rugby Club in Belfast.

Martin Press secured victory for the Blitzers in the dying seconds when crashed over over for a Touchdown from close range and then the Belfast team ran in the extra point to make the Final score 24-20.

Dublin Celts took a 6-0 lead with an early touchdown, however the Blitzers edged in front 7-6 when Wide Receiver Ivan Smith scored a TD to which they added the extra point.

Belfast went further ahead when Derek McCord returned a punt 85 yards to the endzone, which was again converted leaving the Blitzers 14-6 up. Following this the Blitzers sacked the Celts Quarterback in the endzone for two more points. Two more touchdowns from the Celts put them 20-16 up in this see-saw battle, but the Belfast defence held firm for 7 more minutes before scoring the vital touchdown.

References

[1] Anon. (1986) “Blitzers turn the tables” Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, June 24, 1986. pg. 28

[2] Anon. (1986) “Neill set for Capital Cup blitz” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, June 18, 1986. Pg. 23

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Coleraine Chieftains vs Belfast Blitzers

Report

Belfast Blitzers and Coleraine Chieftains met each other once in 1986 at Portrush on the Co. Down coast, where the Blitzers won.

The match was played as part of the Yankee Doodle Day which involved a special calvacade of American vintage motorcars which left Belfast on Saturday morning for the seaside resort, arriving on Sunday, via Antrim, Ballymena, Rasharkin, Cullybackey, Coleraine and Portstewart on its way to Portrush.

A Texas Rodeo Bull Ride, Arm wrestling and the Belfast Community Circus were also part of the events which were in aid of Ballymena Mentally Handicapped Hostel Fund and the Waverley Hospital.

References

Newspapers

[1] Anon. (1986) “Stylish motors take to the roads” Belfast Telegraph. Saturday, May 31, 1986. pg. 22. [Past Copies of the Belfast Telegraph are available to view online at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ ]

SOCIAL MEDIA

[6] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Comments on Post by David Turner, August 12-17, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2244208692356940 [Accessed 17 August 2019]

[7] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Comments on Post by David Turner, September 7, 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/posts/2286790341432108?comment_id=2287705898007219&reply_comment_id=2292185984225877&notif_id=1568031304420635&notif_t=feed_comment [Accessed 9 September 2019]

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Craigavon Cowboys vs Belfast Blitzers

In the first ever full contact kitted American Football match ever held in Northern Ireland and also between two Irish teams, Belfast Blitzers defeated Craigavon Cowboys 46-0 at Shane Park in Lurgan thanks to three touchdowns from Derek McCord and two touchdowns from Ivan Smith.

References

[1] Anon. (1986) “It’s Blitzers v Cowboys” Belfast Telegraph. Friday, May 16, 1986. pg. 22.

[2] Anon. (1986) “Neill set for Capital Cup Blitz” Belfast Telegraph. Wednesday, June 18, 1986, Pg. 23.

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Dublin Celts vs Belfast Blitzers

Dublin Celts won the 1st Leg of the Capital Cup 46-7 in Dublin in the first ever fully kitted match between two Irish teams. it formed part of the preseason preparations for the first ever season in 1986. Dublin Celts were known as Captain West Celts for the occasion for sponsorship reasons.

WEBSITES

[1] Britball Now (2016) Results Section [1986] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Newspapers

[2] Anon. (1986) Evening Herald Advertisement. Friday, May 9, 1986, pg. 58

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