The Airdrie Irish are less than two months away from starting the 2018 season and there’s lots of optimism.

Last year the Airdrie made it to the AFL playoffs for the first time in team history, losing in the quarterfinals to the Central Alberta Buccaneers.

Dave Cramer has moved from Offensive Coordinator last year to Head Coach of the Irish. (Photo Courtesy: Jenn Pierce)

This year, former Offensive Coordinator Dave Cramer will be stepping in as head coach after Sean Stewart announced he was stepping back for personal reasons.

Cramer says he’s a bit nervous to take the coaching reins for the Irish but ready for the challenge.

“I haven’t been a head coach since 90 something, so it’s a change. Generally, it’s a bigger task ahead instead of being just a coordinator, now you have to coordinate everything. ”

So far this offseason, the team has recruited some good talent including ex-pros from the Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa REDBLACKS and Junior players from the Calgary Colts and Okanagan Sun of the CJFL.

This year will mark the fourth season for the Irish in Airdrie and Cramer believes the city is embracing the team.

“From my first year to my second year, we definitely have more people in the stands. I think we get good draw from the High School teams in Airdrie and from the Raiders, our Midget team. The great coaching staff at the High School level from Bert Church to Chris Glass over at George Mac and Steve Kemp at the Raiders. It helps us draw players in.”

The Irish begin their training camp at the beginning of May and play their first regular season game against the Grand Prairie Drillers on May 26th.

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