The East Side Jets, from Castlereagh in East Belfast, made a successful start to their Irish American Football preseason, winning 6-0 on their debut against Aldergove Hawks, at RAF Aldergrove in Antrim, before defeating Bangor Buccaneers 7-2 on their home debut, with a fourth quarter touchdown from Mark Dunwoody, who ran in from 25 yards out.

The Craigavon Cowboys won 26-0 against Bangor Buccaneers, with Shamrock Bowl I MVP (Most Valuable Player) from 1986, Nigel Trimble scoring a 21-yard run, which John Mulally added to with a reception from QB Geoff Donaghy. There was a second passing TD in the second half as Brendan McAleese added a reception, and then Stanley Kingsmill finished off the scoring with a 9 yard run. McAleese also scored two extra points.

In the final Preseason match of 1987, Carrickfergus Cougars came from behind to defeat Belfast Spartans. Hollowell had put the Spartans 7-6 up with a TD which was converted, and then Hollowell put the Spartans further ahead with a second touchdown just after halftime. With only two minutes left on the clock, the Cougars struck back, with a TD, adding a two-point conversion, to lead 14-13, which they held despite a late Spartans drive, which left them in Field Goal position. the Cougars managed to block the FG, though, to seal the win.

REFERENCES

[1] Anon. (1987) “Successful start by Belfast Jets” Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, March 17, 1987. pg. 21 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[2] Anon. (1987) “Cowboys in runaway win” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, April 6, 1987. pg. 17 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[3] Anon. (1987) “Cougars hit back – snatch late victory” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, April 13, 1987. pg. 21 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to David Turner (Belfast Blitzers)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 26 July 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2021

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