South Dublin Panthers
 | |
| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| League | American Football Ireland |
| Based in | Dublin, Ireland |
| Stadium | Tymon Park, Tallaght |
| Colors | Navy, Gold and White |
| Chairman | Ben Arulogun |
Head coach | Eoin O'Sullivan |
The South Dublin Panthers, formerly known as the Dublin Dragons, are an American Football team formed in 2001. They compete in American Football Ireland. The team is based in Tymon Park in Dublin. In addition to the senior full-kitted men's team, the Panthers also field sides in youth leagues, co-ed flag football, and a women's team that competes in AFI's Claddagh league. They play their home matches at Westmanstown.[1]
History
Originally formed in 2001 as the Dublin Dragons, the team was rebranded as the South Dublin Panthers in 2014.[1] In 2018, the Panthers qualified for the Shamrock Bowl playoffs for the first time, losing to eventual champions Cork Admirals.[2] In 2019, the Panthers defeated the Cork Admirals in the semifinal to qualify for their first Shamrock Bowl final, where they were defeated by the Belfast Trojans 24–10.[3]
The Panthers were relegated from the Premier Division in 2025[4], but bounced back in 2026 by securing the one-seed of Division One in the regular season, winning their playoff semifinal over the Westmeath Minotaurs 54-7[5], and winning Harp Bowl XI over the Northwest Vipers by a score of 60-6.[6]
The Panthers women's flag team began play in the inaugural season of the AFI Claddagh League in 2024, and claimed back-to-back-to-back national titles in Claddagh Bowls I (2024), II (2025), and III (2026).[7][8][9]
Honours
- Shamrock Bowl Finalists (1): 2019
- Harp Bowl Winners (1): XI (2026)
- Claddagh Bowl Winners (3): I (2024), II (2025), III (2026)
References
- 1 2 "South Dublin Panthers". American Football Ireland. Archived from the original on 11 September 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ↑ "South Dublin Panthers senior AFT". American Football Ireland. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ↑ "Pure adrenaline - Belfast Trojans win Shamrock Bowl". BBC Sport. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ↑ "Kitted Premier Division 2025". American Football Ireland. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ "Kitted Division One 2026". American Football Ireland. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ "The South Dublin Panthers are Harp Bowl XI Champions!". American Football Ireland. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ "The 2025 champions have been decided". American Football Ireland. 19 July 2025. Archived from the original on 11 August 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ↑ "The Perfect Season - We are Claddagh Bowl I Champions!". Instagram (South Dublin Panthers). 15 June 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
- ↑ "The South Dublin Panthers are Claddagh Bowl III Champions!". American Football Ireland. American Football Ireland. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.