Population- 4,221,000
Language- Irish, English
Capital- Dublin
Coach: Roger Clarke
Assistant Coachs: Tommy Madigan, Shaun Smith, Brian Currane
Team Managers: Ciarán Ó hEadhra, Paul Ryan
Host Club: Collingwood
Full Team list:
Number
|
Given Name
|
Surname
|
Club
|
Age
|
Height
|
Weight
|
1
|
Sean
|
Fallon
|
Midland Tigers
|
28
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
2
|
Ray
|
Colleran
|
Dublin Demons
|
25
|
185
|
96
|
3
|
Cliff
|
Richardson
|
Midland Tigers
|
25
|
193
|
100
|
4
|
Garret
|
Kelleher
|
Leeside Lions
|
30
|
190
|
90
|
5
|
Alan
|
Lavin
|
Dublin Demons
|
32
|
175
|
96
|
6
|
Joe
|
Cunnane
|
Dublin Demons
|
34
|
198
|
104
|
7
|
Padraig
|
Hannon
|
Leeside Lions
|
34
|
180
|
83
|
8
|
Cian
|
Quigley
|
Leeside Lions
|
27
|
182
|
80
|
9
|
Mike
|
Finn
|
Heidelberg Tigers(Melbourne)
|
27
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
10
|
David
|
Lally
|
Dublin Demons
|
23
|
180
|
84
|
11
|
John
|
Enright
|
Dublin Demons
|
28
|
187
|
95
|
12
|
Michael
|
Currane
|
Dublin Demons
|
32
|
177
|
87
|
13
|
Paul
|
O’ Mahony
|
Midland Tigers
|
26
|
172
|
89
|
14
|
Patrick
|
Leavy
|
Midland Tigers
|
33
|
175
|
78
|
15
|
Diarmuid
|
Griffin
|
Fitzroy Reds(Melbourne)
|
31
|
177
|
80
|
16
|
Ray
|
Saurin
|
Dublin Demons
|
23
|
182
|
70
|
17
|
Ian
|
O’Sullivan
|
Leeside Lions
|
27
|
172
|
73
|
19
|
Paddy
|
Gibbs
|
West Dublin Saints
|
23
|
190
|
92
|
20
|
Brian
|
O’ Connell
|
Leeside Lions
|
30
|
172
|
76
|
21
|
Denis
|
Goggin
|
UTS Bats(Sydney)
|
26
|
198
|
98
|
22
|
James
|
Flavin
|
Midland Tigers
|
28
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
23
|
Alan
|
Tierney
|
West Dublin Saints
|
28
|
182
|
87
|
24
|
James
|
O’ Byrne
|
South Dublin Swans
|
30
|
182
|
93
|
25
|
Stephen
|
Keegan
|
Midland Tigers
|
25
|
190
|
94
|
26
|
David
|
Walsh
|
Dublin Demons
|
29
|
190
|
98
|
27
|
Alex
|
Whooley
|
UTS Bats(Sydney)
|
29
|
175
|
89
|
28
|
Brian
|
Currane
|
Leeside Lions
|
33
|
198
|
105
|
29
|
Liam
|
Twoomey
|
Leeside Lions
|
28
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
30
|
Daire
|
Ó hAodhagáin
|
Midland Tigers
|
27
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
31
|
Martin
|
Ruane
|
Old
Collegians(Warrnambool)
|
37
|
180
|
80
|
33
|
Ciarán
|
Keegan
|
Leeside Lions
|
30
|
182
|
86
|
Australian Football arrived in Ireland in late 1999 when two clubs were formed in a short time frame in Dublin and Belfast. The two teams, the Demons and the Redbacks came together to contest the first ever game against the North London Lions in March of 2000 in Belfast. The Lions were to win, but the sport was up and running in the Emerald Isle.
The Demons and a couple of the Belfast players 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, with AFL legend Robert Dipierdominico playing for both sides in the final decisive game. Soon after, Michael Currane and Ciaran Ó hEadhra, working in close collaboration with the two existing clubs helped set up the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI). The following few months were spent 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 the first season in 2001 ARFLI had two major domestic competitions, the ARFLI Super 9's and the ARFLI Premiership. The ARFLI Super 9's was a nine a side competition played on Gaelic Football fields which was designed to help the new clubs adapt to Aussie Rules, gain 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, the Leeside Lions and the Midland Tigers making it through to the final, with the Tigers coming out on top . In the seasons which followed Super 9’s became the Super 10’ to help expose players to the rigor of playing in the centre when competing in the 18 a side version.
The ARFLI Premiership commenced in June 2001- a 14 a side competition. ARFLI brought the final to Kilkenny as part their efforts to spread the game. The
Final saw the Dublin Demons defeat the Leeside Lions meaning two final losses for the Cork Club, in the years that followed the Lions would go on to dominate Irish Footy. Over the years clubs such as Drogheda, Clare, South Dublin Eagles, Limerick Saints and even the Belfast Redbacks have come and gone. This season’s, Aussieproperty.com premiership was contested by five teams the Dublin Demons, South Dublin Swans, West Dublin Saints, Leeside Lions and Midland Tigers.
Two new clubs, the Kingdom Kangaroos and Mayo Mariners also began recruiting but their players elected to play with the Lions and Tigers respectively. Next year it is hoped that the Clare and Belfast clubs will be reformed as well as a new club in Galway.
The ARFLI National Team have a proud record and were undefeated in International Representative Competitions until 2005. The team won the "Atlantic Alliance Cup 2001" to become Champions of the Northern Hemisphere, and also won the inaugural “International Cup 2002”. This established our National side as “World Champions” outside of Australia. In 2005 Ireland finished fourth at the International Cup and arrive in Victoria this year confident of improving on that performance and perhaps even recapturing the trophy.
An Executive Committee governs the ARFLI (made up of Representatives from each of the Clubs in our League). The Executive meet regularly to address League issues, implement changes and rules, organise fundraising events and discuss developmental strategies and plans – all for the betterment of Aussie Rules Football in Ireland.
The League’s website is www.arfli.com
Last Modified on 25/08/2008 14:18