The Jacksonville Jaguars are proud to announce the sponsorship of AFI (American Football Ireland) Championship Doubleheader the Harp Bowl and Shamrock Bowl.
On Saturday 27th July at Dubarry Park, Clonbrusk, Athlone, C. Westmeath, Irish American football at its finest will combine Harp Bowl and Shamrock Bowl on the same day and at the same location to offer the best possible American football experience.
At the event, the Premier and Division 1 Champions will be crowned and with everything on the line, these promise to be the most intense and hard-fought games of the year. There are eight teams still in the running for either championship. For the Harp Bowl it’s between the Wexford Eagles, West Dublin Rhinos, Craigavon Cowboys, and the Louth Mavericks. Competing for Shamrock Bowl are the Dublin Rebels, University College Dublin, South Dublin Panthers and the Belfast Trojans.
Kicking off at 1.00 p.m. Harp Bowl of Division One will be followed at 5.30 p.m. by Shamrock Bowl of the Premier Division.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have already begun rolling out the flagship JagTag programme across the Island of Ireland and were the first team in the NFL to make a live Draft Pick from the Country in 2024, inviting a Jaguars Irish Super Fan to announce the player’s name, following an NFL clinic in association with AFI featuring Alumni and former Tight End Ben Koyack.
Talking about the sponsorship of the event, Maria Gigante, Vice President of UK and Operations, said:
‘Since achieving the marketing rights in Ireland, we have worked hard to build a portfolio of schools and youth centres that can deliver our JagTag programme to young people and have worked closely with AFI on developing clinics for those older age groups who want to take their skills on to the next level. Clinics with Ben Koyack around Draft, and then with the Jaguars that were part of our summer tour: Ross Matiscik, Foye Oluokun and Coach Heath Farwell we have developed a special relationship with Ireland and with the AFI, so I am delighted we are sponsoring this prestigious event.’
Bill Dougherty, Director of Coaching of American Football Ireland, added:
“The Jaguars grassroots program has demonstrated a massive commitment to our league, coaches, and players with multiple events in the last year. From player skill development clinics, coach education, to laying the groundwork for the future through the establishment of the youth JagTag programs; we cannot ask for a better partner. In yet another clear demonstration of their commitment to the game’s development here, the Jaguars stepped forward as the title sponsors of our premier annual event. The Harp and Shamrock Bowl championship doubleheader. To have an elite NFL franchise supporting us is a game changer for American football across the island of Ireland. We cannot thank the Jaguars enough for their support and bringing a bit of DUUUVAL to these shores!”
AFI photos from Conor Brennan
