World Footy News

The Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) was formed in October 2000 after the first Irish Grand Final between the Dublin Demons and the Belfast Redbacks. Aussie Rules had arrived in Ireland almost exactly a year previously when clubs were simultaneously formed in both Dublin and Belfast.

The two clubs played a number of British clubs in challenge matches in early 2002. The Demons then travelled to London in April 2000, where they took part in the FSS Cup - BARFL's pre-season competition. They finished third out of twelve teams in their first ever competitive games. The Demons and Redbacks then played out a best of three series, which resulted in the Demons being crowned Ireland's first Aussie Rules Champions.

Soon after, Michael Currane (current President & Chief Executive Officer) and Ciaran O'Headhra (current Vice President) ,working in close collaboration with the two existing clubs, set up the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland. ARFLI spent the following few months promoting the game and assisting with the formation of new clubs. The League grew to five club clubs in as many months with the Leeside Lions (Cork), Drogheda Dockers and Midland Tigers (Mullingar) being formed.

In 2001 ARFLI had two major domestic competitions, the ARFLI Super 9's and the ARFLI Premiership. The ARFLI Super 9's is a nine a side competition played on Gaelic Football fields. It was designed to help the new clubs adapt to Aussie Rules, gain some experience and allow for maximum participation. The use of the GAA pitches also made it easier on the clubs. The competition was a huge success with two of the new teams making it through to the final.

The ARFLI Premiership commenced in June 2001 and was a 14 a side competition. ARFLI brought the final to Kilkenny as part their efforts to spread the game. The Demons won a hard fought contest against the Leeside Lions to win their second flag in a row.

The inaugural Fosters Aussie Rules Australia Day Challenge Cup took place on January 26 2002 as part of a big Australia Day celebration. The first ever "Outonthetown.ie" Auscamp took place earlier on the same day when ARFLI introduced their Auskick program to local children.

The future of the sport looks bright in Ireland and ARFLI continues to grow. In 2002 the Limerick Saints and the South Dublin Eagles have joined the Premiership, and there are new clubs being formed in Kilkenny (Bulldogs), Galway, Dublin (Liffey Valley Magpies) and Clare (Crows).

The first Irish National Team headed to London in October 2001 to take part in the Atlantic Alliance Cup. Ireland, playing their first ever competitive International matches, won all their games in the round robin series and went on to record a win against Denmark (pre-tournament favourites) in the Grand Final.

Ireland would like to thank all who have supported their efforts to make it to the International Cup.

More information on ARFLI is available on www.arfli.com