World Footy News

After s self-imposed hiatus for the 2015 season, one of the ARFLI (Australian Rules Football League Ireland) foundation teams, the Dublin Demons, will return in a merger with the North Leinster Giants. The move will is a bonus and a boost for both clubs, but also for football in Ireland as it returns the men’s competition to its full complement of teams.

The new entity will be basing itself out of Islandbridge in Dublin and training will commence soon in preparation for the upcoming 2016 season. Details of playing strips and other aspects of the merger, such as team name and nickname, will be announced as the season start gets closer.

The Dublin Demons are an integral part of the history of Australian Rules football in Ireland. Having won the first pre-premiership title in 2000, after having been established in 1999, they also won the first official ARFLI premiership in 2001. They went on to win back to back titles in both 2008 and 2009. They also won a three-peat of Super 10s/9s titles in 2005 to 2007.

The North Leinster Giants have undergone a journey of different identities, though their current team name arrived in 2011 after the merging of the Midland Tigers and West Dublin Saints. They were originally known as the North Leinster Kangaroos until becoming formally affiliated with the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Whilst the Giants are yet to taste premiership success, the Midland Tigers did win the Super 10s/9s title back in 2001.

Whilst the Demons had struggled in recent years, leading to their break in 2015, the merger presents an opportunity for the new entity to share strengths, both on and off the field, and look towards growing as a strength in the ARFLI competition.