Finland: United Newland Crusaders sign Irish American WR Finn Kearns

The United Newland Crusaders continue to prepare for their first season in Finland’s top division, the Maple League, with the signing of Irish American wide receiver/defensive back Finn Kearns.

The 6’3″, 185 pound, 24 year old native of Galway, Ireland most recently played for the Ravensburg Razorbacks in the GFL2, Germany’s second division where he helped the team advance to the top league. In 12 games with the Razorbacks, Kearns caught 55 passes for 896 yards (fourth overall) while leading the league in interceptions with eight while recording 44 tackles, two tackles for loss and scoring two touchdowns.

He spent the 2018 season with the Pori Bears in Finland’s second division, helping them to an unbeaten season (9-0) where he racked up 763 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on 29 receptions, to go along with two rushing touchdowns, five picks and 21.5 tackles for loss. He also scored one touchdown on defense and also on a kickoff return. Playing for Ireland’s national team, the Irish Wolfhounds, in 2018, he had five tackles, one interception and a forced fumble as Ireland defeated the Belgian Barbarians, in Belgium, 20-19 for their first-ever international win.

Kearns was born in Galway but moved to the United States with his family when he was 15 and attended New High School in Newton, Massachusetts, where he started his football career. He played for the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, spending three years there.  At times, he also played for the University of Limerick Vikings in the Irish American Football League when he had the opportunity and over the course of three seasons appeared in nine games (2014, 2015, 2016) scoring five receiving touchdowns.

Check out Finn Kearns highlights from the GFL2 championship season