South Dublin Panthers
The South Dublin Panthers are an American Football team formed in 2014, and compete in the American Football Ireland, Premier Division,[1] the top tier of American Football in Ireland.
| Founded | 2014 |
|---|---|
| League | Irish American Football League |
| Based in | Dublin, Ireland |
| Stadium | Tymon Park / Tallaght |
| Colors | Navy, Gold and White |
| Chairman | Brendan McAleese |
| Head coach | Stephen McDonnell |
| Website | http://www.southdublinpanthers.com |
The team are based in Tymon Park in Dublin. One of the biggest teams in Ireland fielding teams in all competitions. Youth Football, Adult Football and, the non-contact version, flag football. They 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 in 2001 and, following the close of the 2014 season, were rebranded and reconstituted by its members. Coach John Romanoski remained as Head Coach, having guided the Dragons, and now Panthers, to promotion to the Shamrock Bowl Conference in 2014.
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 | 14 - 20 | 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
The Panthers opened 2017 with their new head coach and an increased squad size.
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.
The Panthers first ever youth team made it to the playoffs in their inaugural season.
Regular season
| 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 |
Semi Final
| 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 |
Youth Team
2019 was the first season of the South Dublin Panthers Youth Program.
Regular season
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10-2019 | Dublin Rebels | 0-30 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
| 6-10-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 12-39 | Cork Admirals | L |
| 13-10-2019 | Antrim Jets | 0-26 | South Dublin Panthers | W |
| 13-10-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 20-35 | Belfast Knights | L |
Playoffs
| Date | Away | Score | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-10-2019 | South Dublin Panthers | 6-26 | Cork Admirals | L |
2020
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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 The Camden Bar, Dublin.
References
- "Shamrock Bowl Conference - Irish American Football Association". Irish American Football Association. Retrieved 2017-04-01.