The South Dublin Panthers came into being as the Dublin Dragons were reconstituted by its members, as a member run club, in 2014. Coach John Romanoski remained as Head Coach having guided the Dragons, and now Panthers, back to the Shamrock Bowl Conference, in 2013. After some tough years in the wilderness in Ireland's first tier of football, IAFL 1, Philadelphia native Romanowki began the rebuild and returned the Dragons to the promised land of top tier football.
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
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
With a new Head Coach and an increased squad size the Panthers opened 2017 with optimism for the season ahead. 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
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, points allowed, Rushing Touchdowns, Passing Touchdowns. 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 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.
