Club History
The team was formed in 2002, playing along with 4 other teams that year. The Admirals became one of the best teams in the IAFL and went as far as the 2007 Shamrock Bowl where they were narrowly beaten by the UK Vikings. The team also held a reputation for a lot of records in the IAFL mostly in points in a game and rushing.
The Admirals first game was in December of 2002. In a rain soaked game the Admirals lost 28-18 to the Dublin Rebels in an 8-a-side challenge match. Despite the loss the performance held encouraging signs for the team, and increased enthusiasm in the club. The team stepped up to 11-a-side for the next two friendly matches but unfortunately both games resulted in defeat for the Admirals, going down 26-12 to the Dublin Rebels and 8-0 to the Dublin Dragons.
In the 2003 season, the club's first season of IAFL league play, the team managed only a 1-5 record. The first victory came in the spring of 2003, defeating the UL Vikings in an 8-a-side contest. The club would get its first 11-a-side victories against the same side that winter in two challenge games. The following year saw the Cork Admirals improve to a 3-5 record in the expanded IAFL. Despite this the Dublin Dragons, with a similar 3-5 record beat the Admirals to the final playoff spot. The final game of that season was the Admirals best performance, beating the Dublin Dragons 68-20 at Pfizer Sports Grounds.
The Admirals held a recruitment drive in the Autumn of 2004, adding starting players and depth alike. Many of the current Admirals players were found in this recruitment drive. A victory against Limerick in a November challenge game introduced the rookies to Admirals football and prepared them for the season ahead. The Admirals season got off to a poor start when the U.L. Vikings recorded their first ever win over the Cork side. This started a four game losing spell for the Admirals, despite some encouraging performances and close losses, as injuries and low squad numbers took their toll. The Summer brought about improved play from the Admirals and the results followed. The Admirals won three of their final four contests of the season, including two home wins to clinch a playoff spot, and return the Admirals to playoff contender status. The Belfast Bulls, league winners in 2005, proved too strong for the Admirals, however, ending the Admirals hopes for a Shamrock Bowl berth that season.
In 2007, the Admirals made their first Shamrock Bowl with a victory over the Dublin Rebels 8-6 in the Semi finals. The team faced IAFL South division rivals, the UL Vikings. In a very tight contest, the Admirals were unable to beat the Vikings. The game finished 22-14. Good individual efforts by players gave the Admirals high hopes going into the 2008 IAFL season where they were knocked out by the Dublin Rebels in tightly contested encounter.
In May 2013, the Admirals encountered financial problems and briefly halted playing operations. However, they have now made a return guided by a core nucleus of young players, and are currently competing in IAFL-1, the second tier of American Football in Ireland. The Admirals fought their way to 2 Bowl games where they were beaten by UCD for the 2014 season and the Waterford Wolves for the 2015 season.
The Admirals who are already looking forward to the 2016 season are back in action on March 20th against Waterford Wolves in Waterford RSC where they will be hoping to get off to a winning start for the season.