The Celts were also the First Irish team to represent Ireland in the Euro Bowl – the then Champions league of European American Football.
The only fixture to be played in Ireland that year was an Irish selection against a visiting high school team – Mount St. Josephs from Maryland USA.
A new league structure and administration was put in place and the IAFL helped form the Irish American Football Association (IAFA) – the new national governing body for the sport.
[tone] Again, four teams contested the league with the Carrickfergus Knights defeating the UL Vikings in Shamrock Bowl XVI.
The Belfast Bulls, Craigavon Cowboys and UL Vikings played in Division 2 which was created to help development teams get competitive game experience.
The Rebels beat the Cork Admirals in the semi-final and then defeated the Knights 24–12 in a spectacular[tone] Shamrock Bowl XVII, played at Suttonians RFC in Dublin.
The game attracted a large crowd[citation needed] and some media attention – highlights were broadcast on TV3 in Ireland and Sky Sports throughout Europe.
[citation needed] 2004 promised to be the best season ever for Irish American football both on and off the field and did not fail to deliver.
The team played two fixtures including the inaugural Celtic Classic against John Carroll University from Ohio, USA.
[citation needed] AFI oversee the administration of 3 codes: Within the Senior American Football code, there are 3 separate divisions: The Youth American Football section expands year on year, with a record 7 teams competing for the AFI Youth Plate in 2019.
The Flag Football section is split into 2 separate conferences: The Premier Division consists of eight senior teams.
[citation needed] The 2007 IAFL season, complete with new divisional format was due to begin on 4 March with the College Championship game between DCU Saints and UL Vikings, but the game was delayed due to rain, so the season proper began on 25 March when the Cork Admirals beat the Belfast Bulls, the UL Vikings beat the Tallaght Outlaws and Dublin Rebels (then Shamrock Bowl Holders) beat the DCU Saints.
The season continued throughout April and May, with the IAFL College Championship Game eventually been rescheduled on 3 June, with the UL Vikings beating the DCU Saints 50–2.
Cork Admirals won the wildcard game and set up a play-off tie with the Dublin Rebels, strongly fancied to retain the Shamrock Bowl for the 5th consecutive time.
The UL Vikings won a close game 22–14 to win Shamrock Bowl XXI and claim their first ever title.
It was decided to gradually phase out under-18 kitted players and start a junior (i.e. 16–18 age group) league.
In the championship game, the Dublin Rebels defeated the UL Vikings to win their seventh Shamrock Bowl title.
[citation needed] The Tullamore Phoenix stepped up from DV8s level to join the ten sides who contested the 2011 season.
[citation needed] The regular was due to start in late February, which was earlier than in previous years.
[citation needed] This was a change from the previous year's format whereby teams played home and away against all divisional opponents.