Northern Ireland’s biggest and most successful American Football Club target sixth Shamrock Bowl title
The Belfast Trojans American football team are hoping to cap a banner year for the club with victory in the Shamrock Bowl for a sixth time.
The Deramore Park based outfit take on UCD at Dubarry Park, Athlone on Saturday in Shamrock Bowl XXXVII.
It would be another honour for Northern Ireland’s biggest and most successful American Football Club ahead of their 20th anniversary next year.
During that time the club has grown from strength to strength with the club now boasting multiple teams including the senior team, youth team (15-18 year olds), mixed flag football team, and women’s flag football team.
Belfast Trojans Offensive Lineman and Club President, Hassan Jaafar, says there has been huge growth in the game throughout the country amongst females in particular.
He said: A”bsolutely, it is growing rapidly. Particularly in flag football (the fast-paced non-contact version of American Football) which will be an Olympic sport in LA 2028. We ourselves, launched a women’s flag football team only 18 months ago and the increase in the number of female players and teams in the league has been incredible to see.
“Additionally, at youth level there are have been big increases in numbers of players and teams participating. Our youth team are currently training before their season begins later this Autumn and currently recruiting anyone keen to start a new sport.
“There has been relative stability in the number of senior teams over past few years, albeit with some consolidation in smaller teams, but the growth in squad size in teams like ours show there is a growing interest to take up what is still a very niche sport in NI.
“Whether you are prospective player, coach, sponsor or just want to get involved in the Club we look forward to hearing from you.
“Additionally, if you know any children aged between 9 and 16 years old that would like to try flag football over the summer, the Gridiron Academy which is run by our General Manager, Mark McGrath, is hosting summer schemes in Belfast and Dublin this August. Find out more here.”
The Trojans won the last of their five Shamrock Bowls back in 2019 with victory over the South Dublin Panthers and Hassan said it would mean a lot to everyone at the club to bring it back to Belfast again.
“It would mean an incredible amount to so many people who have dedicated so much of their free time to this Club to help us return to the pinnacle of the sport on the island.,” he said
“It would be a reflection on the countless hours of work put in over the past three seasons to improve our coaching expertise, develop our gameday experience and social media presence, and expand our playing talent so that we can compete at the highest level.
“No fewer than 75 players, coaches, and support staff have been working since last September to help get us to this position, and I can’t thank them all enough.
“UCD are an excellent side who have been the standard-bearers of the league since we returned to competitive football after the pandemic. This is their fourth consecutive Shamrock Bowl appearance having won two of the last three championships. The students are littered with experience and talent, so it will require the team to perform at our very best to win.
“Earlier this season, we played UCD and came out on top, 29-12, in a rain-soaked day in Dublin. We are blessed with some exceptionally talented players, like star running back Rayshawn Boswell, who joined us this season from New York, having previously played for Hobart University.
“Other stars on the team include Defensive Back/Linebacker, Maks Dimitrov, and Quarterback, Dom Lynn. A key improvement in the team this year has been our improved depth, with talent across every unit on Offence, Defence and Special Teams.
“The final itself, I expect to be a treat for the neutral fan and perhaps more nerve-wracking for the partisan fans! Both teams have explosive offences with touchdowns capable of being scored from anywhere on the field.
“The key test will be how both defences rise to the occasion. We are supremely confident in our defence, who have only given up 48 points across 9 games this season, and we know they will be motivated and hungry to prove they are the best in the league. It is a cliché, but there is a lot of truth in the adage that, ‘Defence wins championships’!”
“Our women’s flag football team have also had an excellent season. They won their first piece of silverware, the Celtic Bowl in April! They then qualified as second seed in the Claddagh Bowl playoffs which are also being held on the same day as the Shamrock Bowl this year.”
Tickets for Saturday’s Championship Triple-Header can be purchased here and the Belfast Trojans are running a Supporters Bus, including a return trip from Belfast Harlequins and there is a limited number of tickets available here.
The Belfast Trojans are hosting a fundraising raffle for the chance to win 2 tickets to the historic NFL Dublin Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings, taking place on 28th September 2025 at the legendary Croke Park! Enter here.
#Shamrock #Bowl #sights #Belfast #Trojans #aim #banner #year #style
