South Dublin Panthers


The South Dublin Panthers are an American Football team formed in 2014, and compete in the Irish American Football League, Shamrock Bowl Conference South.
The team currently train in Technical University Dublin, Tallaght Campus and at Westmanstown Garda Rugby Club in Lucan, Dublin and 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 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
PosNamePtsWinLoss
1Belfast Trojans1680
2Dublin Rebels1053
3Craigavon Cowboys635
4South Dublin Panthers426
5Carrickfergus Knights426

Results

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
PosNamePtsWinLoss
1Dublin Rebels1471
2Belfast Trojans1262
3Carrickfergus Knights1262
4South Dublin Panthers008
5Craigavon Cowboys-117

Results
DateAwayScoreHomeResult
20-03-2016Carrickfergus Knights14 - 0South Dublin PanthersL
03-04-2016South Dublin Panthers6 - 60Dublin RebelsL
24-04-2016Belfast Trojans63 - 7South Dublin PanthersL
01-05-2016South Dublin Panthers0 - 41Carrickfergus KnightsL
22-05-2016Dublin Rebels50 - 6South Dublin PanthersL
29-05-2016South Dublin Panthers0 - 25UCDL
12-06-2016Craigavon Cowboys51 - 0South Dublin PanthersL
26-06-2016South Dublin Panthers0 - 20North Kildare ReapersL

2017

With a new Head Coach and an increased squad size the Panthers opened 2017 with optimism for the season ahead.
Results
DateAwayScoreHomeResult
26-03-2017Carrickfergus Knights7 - 12South Dublin PanthersW
02-04-2017South Dublin Panthers34 - 48UCDL
23-04-2017Trinity College Dublin24 - 7South Dublin PanthersL
07-05-2017South Dublin Panthers0 - 9Belfast TrojansL
21-05-2017North Kildare Reapers0 - 37South Dublin PanthersW
28-05-2017UCD16 - 0South Dublin PanthersL
18-06-2017South Dublin Panthers2 - 23Carrickfergus KnightsL
02-07-2017South Dublin Panthers14 - 21Cork AdmrialsL

Shamrock Bowl Conference North Division
PosNamePtsWinLoss
1Carrickfergus Knights1053
2Belfast Trojans844
3UCD426
4South Dublin Panthers426

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
DateAwayScoreHomeResult
15-04-2018Carrickfergus Knights3 - 0South Dublin PanthersL
22-04-2018South Dublin Panthers0 - 27UL VikingsL
06-05-2018South Dublin Panthers15 - 3Louth MavericksW
20-05-2018South Dublin Panthers0 - 48Belfast TrojansL
27-05-2018Cork Admrials14 - 0South Dublin PanthersL
01-07-2018South Dublin Panthers20 - 9Cork AdmrialsW
07-07-2018Louth Mavericks0 - 32South Dublin PanthersW
15-07-2018Dublin Rebels46 - 0South Dublin PanthersL

Shamrock Bowl Conference South Division
PosNamePtsWinLoss
1Dublin Rebels1262
2Cork Admrials1053
3South Dublin Panthers635
4UL Vikings426

Shamrock Bowl Playoffs 2018 Wild Card Round
DateAwayScoreHomeResult
22-07-2018South Dublin Panthers24 - 31Cork AdmrialsL

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, 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.
DateAwayScoreHomeResult
23-3-2019Dublin Rebels6-7South Dublin PanthersW
31-3-2019South Dublin Panthers14-20Cork AdmiralsL
28-4-2019South Dublin Panthers30-13Belfast KnightsW
12-5-2019West Dublin Rhinos13-35South Dublin PanthersW
19-5-2019Belfast Knights20-24South Dublin PanthersW
9-6-2019South Dublin Panthers16-26Belfast TrojansL
23-6-2019South Dublin Panthers27-30UCDL
7-7-2019UL Vikings10-7South Dublin PanthersL

Shamrock Bowl Conference

Playoffs

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

Coaching staff

Awards

Most Valuable Player

Official Sponsors

The South Dublin Panthers are sponsored by Roar Beverages and by Sinnotts Bar, Dublin.