Irish Warriors

The Irish Warriors were established in 2001 and proudly represented Ireland for the first time at the Atlantic Alliance Cup that same year. The team dominated the competition, remaining undefeated to claim the title of European Champions.

In 2002, the Warriors participated in the inaugural AFL International Cup in Melbourne, Australia. They triumphed in a historic final at the MCG, defeating Papua New Guinea to become the first-ever International Cup champions. The AFL International Cup, held every three years, was the premier international tournament in Australian Rules Football, open to all nations except Australia, whose professional AFL competition excluded them from participation.

The Warriors continued to compete at the highest level in subsequent International Cups. They placed 4th in both the 2005 and 2008 tournaments but reclaimed the championship in 2011 with a remarkable comeback victory in the Grand Final, overcoming a 40-point deficit to once again defeat Papua New Guinea. In 2014, the Warriors returned to the final but narrowly lost to Papua New Guinea, who scored the winning goal in the dying moments. The 2017 tournament saw Ireland finish 3rd, with Papua New Guinea claiming victory over New Zealand. Unfortunately, the International Cup scheduled for 2020 was postponed and later canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, the AFL has not reinstated the tournament.

In addition to their International Cup success, the Warriors have been a dominant force in AFL Europe competitions. They won the inaugural AFL Europe 18-a-side European Championships in 2010, held in Sweden and Denmark. The Warriors repeated this success in 2013, winning on home soil in Dublin. However, they placed 2nd in 2016, losing to Great Britain in London, and 3rd in 2019’s edition, also held in London. The Warriors bounced back in 2022, reclaiming the European Championship title with a hard-fought victory over France in Croatia. They are now the reigning champions, aiming to defend their title at the 2025 European Championships in London.

The Warriors also compete annually in the AFL Europe Euro Cup, a nine-a-side tournament that began in London in 2005. The Warriors claimed their first Euro Cup title in 2011 with a victory over Croatia and followed it up with a back-to-back win against Denmark in 2012. Despite a challenging period from 2016-2019 where they finished runners-up multiple times, the Warriors rebuilt their strength following the pandemic-enforced cancellations of 2020 and 2021. After securing a 3rd place finish in 2022, the team went on to win consecutive Euro Cups in Kiel, Germany, in 2023 and 2024. The Warriors are now setting their sights on the 2025 Euro Cup in Amsterdam, where they hope to complete an impressive three-peat.

In 2023, the AFL announced the introduction of three regional tournaments in place of the International Cup: the Transatlantic Cup, the Asia Cup, and the Pacific Cup, each hosted by an international affiliate. AFL Canada was selected to host the inaugural Transatlantic Cup, held at the Humber College Oval at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Toronto in August 2024. The tournament welcomed teams from Europe and the Americas, providing a new stage for international competition.

The Irish Warriors faced Colombia, Canada, and the USA in the group stages. After securing victories against Colombia and Canada, the Warriors narrowly fell to the USA in a closely contested match. Undeterred, the team regrouped and delivered a strong performance in the semifinals, defeating Great Britain in a hard-fought battle to earn their place in the Grand Final.

Fueled by their earlier defeat to the USA, the Warriors entered the final with determination and focus. From the opening moments, they controlled the game, showcasing their skill and resilience. Their efforts culminated in a decisive 64-26 victory over the USA, securing the Transatlantic Cup title.

The Irish Warriors recruit their players from a variety areas, primarily focusing on those competing in the AFL Ireland Premiership. They also recruit Irish players who are playing in AFL leagues in other countries e.g. UK as well as Irish players based in Australia. This approach ensures that the team taps into a diverse pool of talent and experience, to strengthen their squad for competition. With a legacy of excellence and resilience, the Irish Warriors continue to proudly represent Ireland on the international stage, and wearing the Irish colours with pride.