PFI AFI | Pro Football Ireland

The Causeway Giants take on the South Dublin Panthers on Sunday in their season opener. Michael chats with Ross McKenzie ahead of the game about his thoughts on the season, hopes for the Giants and more.

The Domestic Game is back under the new PFI AFI banner, with Ian and Joe going through a plethora of content, from Sunday's games (which seen the Knights and Panthers win), to Power Rankings, Bold Predictions - and a look at next week.

The Belfast Knights get their season underway on Sunday at MTU Stadium in Cork as they take on the Cork Admirals. Team OC Paul McKillop stops by to chat with Michael ahead of their season opener.

We're delighted to launch AFI Focus, a twice weekly podcast from PFI AFI throughout the senior kitted season, which gets underway this weekend. In the first episode, Michael is joined by Owen Brady from the Northwest Vipers, who looks ahead to the Vipers year and much more.

Our special guest, the OTC Ian Shaw joins the podcast for this special one-off episode!

We do our AFI Draft Picks as if we were various NFL franchises (and we could only pick 3 players from each AFI team total). We discuss which games on the AFI calender would sell out a Wrestlemania arena. Finally; drip or not drip? That is the question!

With clubs celebrating 10 years, 30 years and 40 years, we thought we’d also celebrate the 5 season (6 years) anniversary of the last 0-0 scoreline in the SBC. 
2019 and what a time to be alive it was! 
In the current season, we cover some key events and narratives across both conferences and pick out way-too-early key games for the season.

Week 4 and we have made history! 
In the history of the NFL, and since the creation of the AP Poll for FBS college football, 11-4 has never before been a recorded final score. A momentous occasion and we intend to celebrate fully, by bringing you our GW4 review, our Winners and Losers, and our GW5 predictions.

GW3 certainly had a flair for scoring! Joe and Kelly take a look back at the holiday weekend action, including 2 big wins in the SBC and HBC and a 62 point affair in Newbridge. With the help of our Unofficial Betting Lines set by our Anonymous Football Insiders, the gang also takes a look ahead to the 4 game slate for GW4

Gameweek 2 of the 2025 AFI Senior Kitted season saw a small fixture list create a lot of branching narratives to look out for in the coming weeks. Kelly and Joe sit down to review the Knights battle with UCD and the Vipers pulling off a Giant upset in Armoy, before previewing GW3's slate featuring 1 Shamrock Bowl Conference, 2 Harp Bowl Conference and 1 friendly game through the lens of our Anonymous Football Insider's (hypothetical) Betting Lines

*note: trojans @ panthers has been moved to Terenure RFC

A voice you might recognise! Fresh off commentating Rebels @ UCD (and Intervarsities x2), Max Wolpoff joins Joe and Kelly for this week’s episode. With a unique perspective on American Football, Max’s love and enthusiasm for sports broadcasting is a 100% feel-good vibe guaranteed!

Joe and Kelly give their post-game analysis following a 40-0 victory for UCD, and they make their predictions for week 2’s games against the A.F.I.’s spread.

We’re joined by youth-veteran Dylan Coyle from the NorthWest Vipers. After 5 years of Youth Football, a Youth Bowl appearance & a number of international caps, Dylan is preparing for his Senior American Football debut in Armoy against the Causeway Giants. 

Kelly & Joe, without Ian, give their way-too-early predictions for the 2025 SZN.

We continue our celebration of high performers during the Autumn football cycle with interviews from Cathal Dunne and Andy Quinn

Cathal highlights the changes between seasons that saw the Minotaurs flag program become D1 Champions and his goals for 2025, while Boston College's hottest new recruit kicks it back with the guys to discuss his growth as a player during his time with the NFL Academy and Irish Wolfhounds, some key moments in this year's Wolfhounds games, and the possibility of returning to Ireland with BC

In this episode, Kelly & Ian welcome a pair of National Champions. Joe Grey of the South Dublin Panthers joins us after their third Emerald Bowl win in a row, along with Robbie Alexander fresh from coaching the Belfast Knight Youth team to a National Title, and of course adding 2 more national caps to his ever growing football CV.

The Irish Wolfhounds Senior American Football secure their first competitive win in programme history, with a with a nail-biting 2-min drill to finish 18-13 against the Dutch Lions in the IFAF European Championships. 
Kelly and Joe are joined on the podcast by John Hanbury (H) and Adam Jere (DB) who each played key roles on offence and defence respectively. 

We also touch on the weekend’s flag action as the regular season starts to close, and preview the youth football playoffs upcoming at the NSC 27th October.

Meatloaf says 2 out of 3 ain't bad and - when it comes to Football Codes and Hosts - we think he's right. Kelly & Ian tackle Flag and Youth's ongoing domestic seasons, having a peek at each playoff picture. We demonstrate how tricky it can be airing live scores as they come in, and try and set records in both shout-outs across the league and in Father Ted quotes. Yeah it's that kind of episode.

We've made it to the latter half of the 2024 Youth, 2024 Premier and 2024 Division 1 Flag football calendars, and with competition across all 3 active leagues being stronger than it's ever been, the run-up to late October and early November has never looked more exciting!

Kelly, Ian and Joe retrace the steps taken over the past few weeks on the paths to all 3 title games, Acknowledge (👆) some top performers, and fill out their brackets for the "If the Season Ended Today" playoff pictures

This week our hosts are joined by a Wolfhounds Contingent including Alan Orr (Director of Wolfhounds), Ciaran O'Sullivan (Irish Wolfhounds HC), Brendan Kelleher (Irish Wolfhounds DC) as they discuss the upcoming series against the Netherlands and Turkey. 

Key talking points include: the pivotal role played by Navan in Wolfhounds history, the makeup and construction of an ever-evolving Wolfhounds squad and what it means to pull on that Green Jersey 🐺

If you consider yourself part of Ireland's "12th man", this is a must-listen!

Tickets are on sale NOW for Netherlands Lions @ Irish Wolfhounds here: 
Un...

This week Ian sits down with Johan Oosterhuis - General Manager of the Dutch Lions National Program. 

The pair discuss the growth of the game in the Netherlands, the revival and reconstruction of their National Team and, of course, preview the upcoming meeting with the Irish Wolfhounds in Navan. 

🇮🇪🇳🇱

In the Premier Division, the top seeds played it out against each other. Division One South and Division One North continue their trifecta of meetings. And Dunboyne WildGoats are still the best team in the country in Division One Central with Minotaurs on their heels in the #2 seed, both 4-0. 

Youth Football kicked off at the NSC, ongoing as we were recording, we touch on some of the scores with a promise to loop back around in more depth in the next episode.

Everybody's favourite 5-on-5 LA28 sport has returned to Ireland -- it's FFFLLLEEEEGGGGGG SZN BABY!!!! Your Most Honorable Overlord Director, The Original Original Tribal Chief and everybody's favourite PushJover take a look at what was, frankly, about as wild an opening week of action as you can expect off the back of a fascinating World Championship event in Finland. 

Do the reigning national champion Panthers look like their usual selves? Are the Giants about to double dip in 2024 silverware and solidify themselves as the Team of Destiny? Is Joe actually going to win a game this year?? Find o...

Ahead of the highly-anticpated 2024 G.I.F.T. series games, we catch coaches Alan Lomasney and Jahn Dasini for a chat about the U19 Wolfhounds teams' preparations ahead of their battle against U19 Great Britain (23rd August, 7pm). On 25th of Augsut the Mens and Womens Wolfhounds Flag Football teams fly to Finland for the IFAF World Championships (27th - 30th August). We chat through the international flag football landscape, the challenges and opportunities facing both teams in Lahti.

We're joined by the (Buchanan) 'Boys following their Harp Bowl success and we speak to Darragh Farrell, Mark Lawless, Tom Telford and Alex Kusmirek about many things including UCD's 2nd Shamrock Bowl Championship. 

With six guests, the content from some of the best and brightest in the game is absolutely not to be missed.

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

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Say it with us, everybody: TEAM! OF! DESTINYYY!!! 

With Kelly flagging abroad, the guys take a look at this weekend's results in the 2024 AFI Shield & Plate games, before taking a deeper dive into the 2024 AFI Championship Doubleheader Event at Dubarry Park, Saturday 27th -- Get your tickets now! 🎟️ linktr.ee/nflireland for tickets!

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

You can follow Pro Fo...

The stage is set for Shamrock Bowl, Harp Bowl, Shield and Plate finals. Sans Joseph, who is busy in Kenmare Taekwondo-ing, Kelly and Ian talk about who'll be Taekwon Go-ing to Blanchardstown this coming Sunday, and to AFI's Championship Saturday Double Header at Dubarry Park Athlone on July 27th.
We review each of the playoff games. And importantly; answer the tough questions like: How many points is Matty O'Meara worth? Did the Rhinos have 10 Sacks? And does Kelly like the Shield and Plate or doesn't she? 🤔

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this pod...

An action-packed weekend concludes the regular season. The gang reviews all games across both divisions, and previews the post season; shamrock bowl, div1 bowl playoffs, and the new shield and plate format!**

**the content in this episode describes the Div1 tables as they currently stand, though we understand some final rulings and decisions may yet be made by the AFI Commissioner`

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no...

The gang cover this weekend’s action and it’s implications on the postseason picture. The race for #4 seed is on across both divisions, the Cowboys clinch #1 seed by showing up to their alumni day, while a 2-point win v for the Rebels opens the race for #1 seed at the Top.

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

You can follow Pro Football Ireland on soci...

For 2hrs+ you'd expect our hosts to cover everything, and they pretty much do. We review Claddagh Bowl Finals Day and speak with the Bowl MVP Jenny Kavanagh. 

We also have the usual review and preview trimmings as the West Dublin Rhinos clinch a playoff spot 🦏 spoiler!

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

You can follow Pro Football Ireland on social media at 'nfl...

Flying without Kelly this week - who herself is actually flying - Batman and Robin* take on 4 key games, and preview next weeks fixtures & their potential ramifications.

*We'll let you work out which is which 🤷‍♂️

Joe and Ian also interview HC Darragh Farrell of the undefeated UCD (Sentinels) as he talks about the importance of team culture & coach education 🎓

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!<...

More playoff spots are clinched and some more hopes dashed as our team reviews this weekend's games. 

Our hosts speak with the only person in AFI who could discuss Coaching Development, Youth Football, Bowl Game arrangements, and not be lost for words: Bill Dougherty 🎙️

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

You can follow Pro Football Ireland on social media at 'nflireland'

The gang is back together after a brief hiatus to rep the Green jerseys in Denmark! This past gameweek saw 5 kitted games across Premier and Division 1 -- all going into and coming out of the weekend with some fascinating storylines that Kelly, Ian and Joe let you know to watch out for as the end of the season draws ever closer...

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!<...

Joe flies solo this week with Kelly and Ian committed to spreading the gospel of Irish Flag Football at Sportmonda in Copenhagen... what could possibly go wrong??? It's not like there was a gameweek with a last-minute cancellation, a medical abandonment, a mercy rule, a home-team comeback and a heart-stopping Minotaurs game to review or anything...

After a fourth quarter comeback in Deramore Park ties things up at 24-24, we’re joined by Trojans HC Phil Gunning. 
Business as usual with pick ems and AFI fantasy football.

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

You can follow Pro Football Ireland on social media at 'nflireland'

The May Bank Holiday weekend provided fascinating weekend of gridiron games, with all but one game being within a touchdown margin. Kelly, Ian and Joe are joined by Panthers chairperson 'Coach' John Romo after their tight win at Deramore, where Jamie Leonard used the Force to score in the Kick of time. The gang then take a look at the rest of the weekend's games and the potential impacts they have on the rest of the season!

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [A...

Coming live from an available conference room in the National Sports Campus! 
Our first in-person episode of the season and we are joined by Lauren Cavanagh of South Dublin Panthers and Rebecca Egerton of Pheonix Flag Football and the Belfast Knights. We review week one of the Women’s Premier Division Flag Football league.

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

You can follow Pro...

Welcome to the Tortured podcast hosts’ Department! After Gameweek 5, we’re happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way.

We chat with Coaches Brendan Kelleher and Conor Linehan after the Admirals win over the Minotaurs.
 
We review all games and look past the Wolfhounds bye week to Gameweek 6 in a Fortnight, where our teams will make a (Taylor) Swift return to action.

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic...

Kelly, Ian & Joe take a closer look at a record number of shutouts across the league. This week could have just as many ramifications for the Premier Postseason, as it does for the coveted Div One #4 seed. 

In a week where he’s never been more relevant, we welcome special guest, AFI’s Director of Officiating Steve Moles.

With previews of next week (including a must-win for Minotaurs and Cork fans) and the usual fantasy nonsense, there was almost too much content to fit in!

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this...

Kelly and Ian discuss their main takeaways from a tasty Gameweek 4, Joe feeds us some insights from Knights @ Minotaurs, and the crew looks ahead at what's on the menu in next weekend's set of games.

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys, it's just a bit of craic - so no giving out!

You can follow Pro Football Ireland on social media at 'nflireland'

Adrenaline! In my soul! Something, something, AFI

Kelly, Ian and Joe breakdown an intriguing upcoming weekend of on-field action (while 2 of them reference some upcoming in-ring action), with 4 games worth of gridiron and fantasy picks to sort through. How do Joe's Minotaurs look against the Knights? Can the Admirals correct their course? Can the Razorbacks cause an upset at home? And can the Giants begin a miraculous playoff push??

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guys...

With seven total games played and the establishment of a new league, the gang reviews a stacked week of football across AFI. 

Ian, and by default Joe, are firmly leading the weekly pickems. Can Kelly claw a W out of a tie?

We’re delighted to be joined by HC David Hosford who gives colour to a tight-scoreline but big-morale win for the Rhinos this weekend.

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a podcast guy...

Happy St. Patrick's Weekend everyone! The first Bye Week of the AFI season has already hit, and with no games to review, Kelly, Joe and Ian look towards the upcoming 7-game weekend by reintroducing a fan favourite from last year -- AFI Fantasy Football! 

Of course, the taxing nature of a Wolfhounds Flag weekend has taken its toll on our hosts, so expect some jabs to be thrown through some tiring guards...

Please note; The views and opinions expressed on this podcast do not represent those held by American Football Ireland [AFI]. This is a p...