The Dublin Rebels are the most successful team in the history of the Irish American Football League (IAFL). They have earned ten national championship wins[1] (Shamrock Bowl XV, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXIV, XXV, XXX, XXXI, XXXV), four league titles, three European crowns, and have registered an undefeated season three times, in 2006, 2010, and 2023. Though the team lost the Shamrock Bowl XXXIV in 2022, they won in a rematch in 2023.
The Rebels were founded in 1995. They joined the Irish Flag Football League for the 1995–1996 season. The highlight of that season was the tie between the Devastators, which cost the Devastators a spot in the playoffs.[original research?] The Rebels were voted for the 'Best Newcomer Team' award.[citation needed]
1996 season
The following year, the Rebels entered a summer tournament and finished in third place. The Rebels' quarterback was unable to play, and began to oversee the team as the manager. In the Flag Football League, the Rebels secured their first playoff spot in the team history. They managed to reach the Final against the Pirates, but lost by a touchdown. Marcus Naylor was awarded league MVP that year also.[citation needed]
1998 season
In 1998–99, the Rebels played their first full contact season in the league. They finished mid-table.
2000 season
There was no league in 2000 due to lack of organization in the management.[citation needed]
2001 season
2001 saw the league return again as the IAFL. There were 4 teams in the league out of a possible 6. The Rebels got to the Shamrock Bowl, beating the Carrickfergus Knights 28–7.[citation needed]
2002 season
In 2002, the Rebels won only one game in the season, beating the Dublin Dragons in the last game of the year. The Rebels played in the Charleroi Cup, beating the hosts 22–0 in the final.
2003 season
Hoping to rebuild from 2002, the Rebels lost a close season opener to the Knights. But continued a 9-game win streak. Once again, they went to the Shamrock Bowl and challenged the Knights, beating them 24–12.[citation needed]
2004 season
In the 2004 Season, the Rebels continued their tradition of introducing a number of rookies. The season saw the Rebels score 300 points and finish with a season record of 9–1 (including playoffs and final). They won the league title for the first time. They won the Shamrock bowl by defeating their rivals the Knights 24–22 in the final match. After trailing to them by 18 points at half time, they produced a comeback and broke the scoring record for a single game (scoring 88 points against the Admirals).[citation needed]
The Dublin Rebels participated in the 2004 Charleroi American Football Trophy Tournament, held in Charleroi, Belgium on 25–26 June. The participating teams were the Dublin Rebels, Charleroi Cougars, Chevaliers d'Orleans, and the Lille Vikings. The Rebels lost to the Chevaliers d'Orleans team in the first round, 26–8. The Lille Vikings defeated the Charleroi Cougars 18–6. In the 3rd Place Playoff, the Rebels defeated the Charleroi Cougars 20–0. The Chevaliers d'Orleans won the Final against the Lille Vikings by a final score of 26–0.[2][3]
2005 season
The 2005 season saw the Belfast Bulls trying to become the first undefeated team in the league. The Rebels prevented this record by defeating them in the final game of the season. They met each other again in Shamrock Bowl XIX. The Rebels pulled off another last minute comeback against the Bulls to win.[citation needed]
2006 season
In 2006, the Rebels became the first undefeated team in the IAFL going 10–0, winning all regular season games and winning the playoffs and the Shamrock Bowl 44–12 against the UL Vikings.[citation needed]
2007 season
In 2007, the Rebels failed to reach the Shamrock Bowl. They were beaten by the Cork Admirals in the Semi-final 8–6.[citation needed]
2008 season
The Rebels finished the 2008 season with a 7–1 record. The Rebels once again returned to the Shamrock Bowl to face the defending champions, the UL Vikings, but the Rebels lost 14–12.[citation needed]
2009 season
Undergoing a period of transition from the old guard to a younger core of talent,[original research?] the Rebels progressed sufficiently to reach Shamrock Bowl XXIII where they lost to the University of Limerick Vikings in sudden death overtime 9–6.[citation needed]
2010 season
Another year of experience for the new generation of Rebels provided a keen edge to the team, an edge which propelled the team to a perfect 8–0 regular season record.[tone] In the semi-final, they faced the West Dublin Rhinos. The Rebels rolled to a 65–0 victory, racking up ten touchdowns on the way. This victory set up a match in Shamrock Bowl XXIV with the rival Vikings.[citation needed]
With the Vikings attempting to match the Rebels' record of four championships in a row, there was an added urgency about the challengers.[original research?] It was the Rebels who emerged triumphant from Tallaght stadium as they went on to win 15–0.[citation needed]
The 2010 Rebels finished the season giving up only 4.4 points per game, while amassing 41.9 points per game: both of which are team records.[citation needed]
2011 season
In 2011, the Rebels were once again Shamrock Bowl champions, defeating the Vikings once more, this time in Morton Stadium in Santry, North Dublin.[citation needed]
2016 season
In 2016, after going 7–1 in the Regular season with a home reverse versus defending champions Belfast Trojans being their only blemish, the Rebels went on to defeat the same opponent in Shamrock Bowl XXX in dramatic fashion.
With just 18 seconds on the clock, with over 20 yards to go, the Rebels scored.[citation needed] After a strong return from the Trojans, and with just 2.5 seconds on the clock, there was time enough for one more play. After short pass and number of laterals, the Trojans fumbled and a Rebel recovered possession and the cup was won.[citation needed]
The Rebels would later go on to represent Ireland in the 2017 Atlantic Cup, as winners of the 2016 Shamrock Bowl. Facing off against 2016 Romanian Champions the Bucharest Rebels in Dublin in November 2017. The Dublin Rebels would come away with the trophy after a convincing 42–14 victory[4]
2018 season
In 2018, after going 6–2 in the Regular season with losses on the road versus the Cork Admirals and the Belfast Trojans being their only blemishes, the Rebels went on to defeat the Belfast Trojans in the Semi Finals to head to Shamrock Bowl XXXII. The Rebels would fall in the final to the Admirals 18–16 in Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.[citation needed]
2019 season
In 2019, the Rebels failed to make the playoffs after a 2-6 season[5]
2022 season
2022 saw the return to action for American Football Ireland, with the resurgent Rebels attaining a perfect regular season.[citation needed] The Rebels competed against UCD in the Shamrock Bowl final, but were beaten by the students in Shamrock Bowl 34 in the Kingspan Stadium, Belfast.[citation needed]
2023 season
The Rebels dominated the 2023 regular season, posting another unbeaten record and leading every statistical category.[6][failed verification] The Rebels made their 15th Shamrock Bowl final, facing off again against UCD in a repeat of Shamrock Bowl XXXIV, this time in MTU Stadium, Cork. The Rebels completed their perfect season with a 40–34 victory. Shamrock Bowl XXXV is the Rebels 10th National Championship, cementing their status as the most successful Irish team in American football.[citation needed]
2024 season
The Rebels had another successful regular season, posting a record of 7–1, taking them to the play-offs.[6][failed verification] The Rebels made their 16th Shamrock Bowl final, facing off again against UCD in a repeat of Shamrock Bowl XXXIV and XXXV, this time in Dubarry Park, Athlone. The game finished in favour of UCD with a 36–14.[citation needed]
Championships
Shamrock Bowl XV
Shamrock Bowl XVII
Shamrock Bowl XVIII
Shamrock Bowl XIX
Shamrock Bowl XX
Shamrock Bowl XXIV
Shamrock Bowl XXV
Shamrock Bowl XXX
Shamrock Bowl XXXI
Shamrock Bowl XXXV
Atlantic Cup 2017
Charleroi Cup 2002
Charleroi Cup 2003
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