Meaths only American Football Team took timeout from training in McCormacks, Trim for their Superbowl Party Night. Pictured are Coach Garland Drake (centre), Bulldogs cheerleaders, Joanna Fitzpatrick, Diane Ennis, running back, Peter McMahon and quarterback Eddie McMahon.

Go Bulldogs...Trim home to the Royal County’s only American football team

Noelle Finegan

Published: Wed 16 Feb 2011, 4:53 PM

Meath's only American football team took time out from training in McCormack's, Trim, for their Superbowl party night at the weekend. The Trim Bulldogs were formed in September 2010 and joined the Irish American Football League Shortly afterwards. The club, which is for those aged 18 and over, was founded by coach Garland Drake, an American living and working in Ireland since 2003. â€œFor some time, I wanted to coach an American football team in Ireland and finally made the step in contacting the IAFL to find out the details on starting and coaching a team. I chose to start an American football team in Trim to bring another element of sport to the royal county,â€ explained Coach Garland. â€œIt has been challenging up to now to recruit players and secure a pitch. We have accomplished one of the two goals,â€ he added. The team now comprises of 10 registered players, with another eight coming onboard soon. They currently are training in Ballivor on a temporary basis. Trim Bulldogs will play in the IAFL's eight a-side developmental league for all new teams, playing against teams as far away as Belfast, with their nearest rivals being the Drogheda Lightning American Football Club or the Tullamore Phoenix American Football Club. For details on how to become a Bulldog, see the website www.wix.com/42drake/bulldogs or contact Garland Drake by email at trimbulldogs@gmail.com or phone (086) 849 6997.