Crowd at first Irish NFL game will be one of the most passionate – US ambassador

By Nicole McBride, PA

The 70,000 fans expected in Dublin for a history-making first NFL match in Ireland will be “one of the most passionate crowds”, the US ambassador has said.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who have strong Irish roots, face off against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in the first regular season NFL match hosted at Croke Park.

Edward Walsh, the US ambassador to Ireland, hosted celebrities and sporting greats at his Phoenix Park residence at an event to mark the match.

Guests of honour included NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II, whose family trace their roots to Newry in Co Down.

The ambassador’s event featured Riverdance star Michael Flatley alongside three-time Olympian Eamonn Coghlan and Irish major champion golfer Padraig Harrington.

Mr Walsh told guests: “This will undoubtedly be one of the best and most passionate crowds of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ career.”

Mr Rooney’s father Arthur Rooney founded the Steelers in the state of Pennsylvania in 1933 after the family emigrated from Ireland in the 1800s.

The Steelers touched down at Dublin airport on Friday ahead of the match, which kicks off at 2.30pm.

Mr Rooney and his son Dan, vice president of business development and strategy, visited Northern Ireland on Thursday to take part in events with local children.

He said then: “It feels so special to be here.

“I know how important connecting with the island was for my grandfather, so we’re just trying to carry on what he taught us, to care for our homeland and to engage with the people, and to bring American football back here.”