User:Stegofreak

Drogheda Lightning is an American football team based in Drogheda, Ireland. Initially conceived in 2010, the team has been a member of the Irish American Football League (IAFL) since 2011. They are presently coached by former London Mets, London Olympians and Dublin Dragons player Russell Kerley and compete at a development 8-a side level.

History
Initial plans for the formation of an American football team in the Drogheda area can be traced back to mid-2010 when, former Dublin Dragon, Russell Kerley endeavoured to find a place for the sport closer to his home just outside the town. At this time a largely untapped catchment area existed between Dublin in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast in the North providing an excellent base upon which to found the team. Such developmental opportunities were also recognised by the committee at the Irish American Football Association (IAFA) who granted the Drogheda operation leave to compete in the IAFL DV8s Championship scheduled for the following year. By the end of 2010 the team had gained a level of recognition through the local media, drawing in interested players from the greater Drogheda area and from as far north as neighbouring Dundalk By the turn of the year the team was officially christened the Lightning. As the early part of 2011 passed the team once more witnessed a swell in popularity as the basis of a squad began to form. By the time the IAFL DV8s season began in May of that year there were enough players registered with the club so that, on May 15th, the Drogheda Lightning played their first competitive fixture in Trim against the Trim Bulldogs.