South Dublin Panthers
The South Dublin Panthers are an American Football team formed in 2014, and compete in the Irish American Football League, Shamrock Bowl Conference South.[1]
Founded | 2014 |
---|---|
League | Irish American Football League |
Based in | Dublin, Ireland |
Stadium | Westmanstown RFC / Lucan |
Colors | Navy, Gold and White |
Chairman | Brendan McAleese |
Head coach | Stephen McDonnell |
Website | http://www.southdublinpanthers.com |
The team currently train in Technical University Dublin, Tallaght Campus and at Westmanstown Garda Rugby Club in Lucan, Dublin[2] and play their home matches at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Blanchardstown, Dublin.
History
The South Dublin Panthers came into being as the Dublin Dragons were reconstituted by its members, as a member run club, in 2014. Coach John Romanoski remained as Head Coach having guided the Dragons, and now Panthers, back to the Shamrock Bowl Conference (Ireland's premier division), in 2013. After some tough years in the wilderness in Ireland's first tier of football, IAFL 1, Philadelphia native Romanowki began the rebuild and returned the Dragons to the promised land of top tier football.
2015
The Panthers began their inaugural season in the SBC North. Finishing the season in 4th place in the division ahead of the Carrickfergus Knights.
Shamrock Bowl Conference North Division
Pos | Name | Pts | Win | Loss |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Belfast Trojans | 16 | 8 | 0 |
2 | Dublin Rebels | 10 | 5 | 3 |
3 | Craigavon Cowboys | 6 | 3 | 5 |
4 | South Dublin Panthers | 4 | 2 | 6 |
5 | Carrickfergus Knights | 4 | 2 | 6 |
Results
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
15-03-2015 | Belfast Trojans | 33 - 8 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
29-03-2015 | South Dublin Panthers | 2 - 7 | Trinity College Dublin | L |
12-04-2015 | South Dublin Panthers | 21 - 0 | Carrickfergus Knights | W |
26-04-2015 | Dublin Rebels | 15 - 6 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
17-05-2015 | South Dublin Panthers | 20 - 14 | Craigavon Cowboys | L |
31-05-2015 | UCD | 8 - 15 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
21-06-2015 | UL Vikings | 56 - 0 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
04-07-2015 | South Dublin Panthers | 6 - 38 | Dublin Rebels | L |
2016
The Panthers struggled to build on some of the promise shown in their opening season. With a reduced squad, they failed to register a win in 2016; they again finished 4th in the SBC North Division by virtue of the Craigavon Cowboys being deducted points and relegated. The close of the 2016 season saw the departure of John Romanoski as Head Coach, along with most of the coaching staff. The offensive coordinator, Stephen McDonnell, was promoted to the position of Head Coach.
Shamrock Bowl Conference North Division
Pos | Name | Pts | Win | Loss |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dublin Rebels | 14 | 7 | 1 |
2 | Belfast Trojans | 12 | 6 | 2 |
3 | Carrickfergus Knights | 12 | 6 | 2 |
4 | South Dublin Panthers | 0 | 0 | 8 |
5 | Craigavon Cowboys | -1 | 1 | 7 |
Results
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
20-03-2016 | Carrickfergus Knights | 14 - 0 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
03-04-2016 | South Dublin Panthers | 6 - 60 | Dublin Rebels | L |
24-04-2016 | Belfast Trojans | 63 - 7 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
01-05-2016 | South Dublin Panthers | 0 - 41 | Carrickfergus Knights | L |
22-05-2016 | Dublin Rebels | 50 - 6 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
29-05-2016 | South Dublin Panthers | 0 - 25 | UCD | L |
12-06-2016 | Craigavon Cowboys | 51 - 0 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
26-06-2016 | South Dublin Panthers | 0 - 20 | North Kildare Reapers | L |
2017
With a new Head Coach and an increased squad size the Panthers opened 2017 with optimism for the season ahead.
Results
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
26-03-2017 | Carrickfergus Knights | 7 - 12 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
02-04-2017 | South Dublin Panthers | 34 - 48 | UCD | L |
23-04-2017 | Trinity College Dublin | 24 - 7 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
07-05-2017 | South Dublin Panthers | 0 - 9 | Belfast Trojans | L |
21-05-2017 | North Kildare Reapers | 0 - 37 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
28-05-2017 | UCD | 16 - 0 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
18-06-2017 | South Dublin Panthers | 2 - 23 | Carrickfergus Knights | L |
02-07-2017 | South Dublin Panthers | 14 - 21 | Cork Admrials | L |
Shamrock Bowl Conference North Division
Pos | Name | Pts | Win | Loss |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carrickfergus Knights | 10 | 5 | 3 |
2 | Belfast Trojans | 8 | 4 | 4 |
3 | UCD | 4 | 2 | 6 |
4 | South Dublin Panthers | 4 | 2 | 6 |
2018
The Panthers moved into the Shamrock Bowl Conference South Division for the 2018 season and reached the playoffs for the first time. The season ended after double overtime loss to the Cork Admirals in the playoffs. One of the most tense and dramatic games of the year saw the Panthers recover a 17 point deficit in the second half, levelling the game with a field goal as the clock hit zero.
Results
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
15-04-2018 | Carrickfergus Knights | 3 - 0 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
22-04-2018 | South Dublin Panthers | 0 - 27 | UL Vikings | L |
06-05-2018 | South Dublin Panthers | 15 - 3 | Louth Mavericks | W |
20-05-2018 | South Dublin Panthers | 0 - 48 | Belfast Trojans | L |
27-05-2018 | Cork Admrials | 14 - 0 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
01-07-2018 | South Dublin Panthers | 20 - 9 | Cork Admrials | W |
07-07-2018 | Louth Mavericks | 0 - 32 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
15-07-2018 | Dublin Rebels | 46 - 0 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
Shamrock Bowl Conference South Division
Pos | Name | Pts | Win | Loss |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dublin Rebels | 12 | 6 | 2 |
2 | Cork Admrials | 10 | 5 | 3 |
3 | South Dublin Panthers | 6 | 3 | 5 |
4 | UL Vikings | 4 | 2 | 6 |
Shamrock Bowl Playoffs 2018 Wild Card Round
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
22-07-2018 | South Dublin Panthers | 24 - 31 | Cork Admrials | L (2OT) |
2019
The Panthers competed in the new restructured Shamrock Bowl Conference vying to improve on their 2018 performance and playoff position. 2019 was a record setting year, with the Panthers eclipsing their best ever offensive points scored (160), points allowed (138), Rushing Touchdowns (10), Passing Touchdowns (11). It was also the first ever time the Panthers had qualified for the SBC Semi Final as part of the 4 best teams in the country.
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
23-3-2019 | Dublin Rebels | 6-7 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
31-3-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 14-20 | Cork Admirals | L |
28-4-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 30-13 | Belfast Knights | W |
12-5-2019 | West Dublin Rhinos | 13-35 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
19-5-2019 | Belfast Knights | 20-24 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
9-6-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 16-26 | Belfast Trojans | L |
23-6-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 27-30 | UCD | L |
7-7-2019 | UL Vikings | 10-7 | South Dublin Panthers | L |
Shamrock Bowl Conference
Pos | Name | Pts | Won | Loss | Tie |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cork Admirals | 15 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
2 | Belfast Trojans | 13 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
3 | UCD | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
4 | South Dublin Panthers | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
5 | UL Vikings | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
6 | Dublin Rebels | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
7 | West Dublin Rhinos | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
8 | Belfast Knights | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Playoffs
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
21-7-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 21-6 | Cork Admirals | W |
The Panthers beat the previously unbeaten Cork Admirals in the SBC Semi Finals. A comprehensive win with two scores on the ground from running back Ben Arulogun and one through the air with QB Ian Cahill finding Eoin Neville in the back corner of the endzone. Upsetting the heavily favoured Admirals, advancing to their first appearance in the Shamrock Bowl.
Shamrock Bowl
Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
4-8-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 10-24 | Belfast Trojans | L |
Coaching staff
Role | Name | From | To |
---|---|---|---|
Head Coach | John Romanoski | 2012 | 2016 |
Head Coach | Stephen McDonnell | 2016 | present |
Awards
Most Valuable Player
Year | Name | Position |
---|---|---|
2015 | Mick Duncan | Quarterback |
2016 | Eoghan Whelan | Safety |
2017 | Niall Burke | Defensive Tackle |
2018 | Stephen Connor | Left Tackle |
2019 | Eoin Neville | Corner Back |
Official Sponsors
The South Dublin Panthers are sponsored by Roar Beverages and by Sinnotts Bar, Dublin.
References
- "Shamrock Bowl Conference - Irish American Football Association". Irish American Football Association. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
- "Where are we? | South Dublin Panthers American Football Club". South Dublin Panthers American Football Club. Retrieved 2017-04-01.