Irish American Football Year In Review
It’s been a monumental year for American football in Ireland. Between a sold out college football game in the Aviva stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers coming home and one of the most competitive domestic seasons in history, the sport went from strength to strength over the past 12 months. The future of Irish American football is very exciting and there is so much to look forward to in the new year. As the end of 2023 approaches, we take a look back at some of the best moments from the world of Irish gridiron!
In August, The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame returned to the Emerald Isle in triumphant fashion to take on Navy in a rematch of their 2012 Aviva Stadium bout. This time there was a much greater awareness and indeed fanfare surrounding the game, as over 40,000 fans traveled across the Atlantic for the game. Dublin turned green to welcome the Fighting Irish home, and they didn’t disappoint – thrashing the Navy Midshipmen 42-3. While the score may have been slightly lopsided, the game cemented Ireland’s position as the college football capital of Europe. 2024 will see Georgia Tech take on Florida State in an ACC clash, accompanied by College GameDay, while Pitt and Wisconsin are already confirmed for 2027. Events like this and the ensuing media coverage only serve to increase the positive perception and interest in the sport of American football in Ireland and it will be interesting to see which teams make the trip across the pond in the future.
Perhaps the biggest American football news to come out of Ireland in 2023 was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ intentions to play a regular season game in Croke Park. The exciting revelation came back in May when they announced plans to expand into Ireland as part of the NFL’s global marketing program. If and when such a game does indeed go ahead, it would be the first NFL game to happen here since 1996. The team who played back then? The Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rooney’s have an inexorable connection to this country and seem wholeheartedly invested in growing a black and gold fanbase here in Ireland. And while no date has been confirmed yet, the smart money is on the 2025 season. One thing though is for sure: demand for an NFL game in Ireland is sky high. Not only would a game here attract a huge contingent of home grown fans (as evidenced by the recent watch party), you’d also attract a wider European and International audience. 2024 should bring more certainty on any potential future NFL game in Ireland as well as plenty more exciting events for American football fans here.
Summer 2023 was one to remember for everyone involved in the Irish American football scene. The Wolfhounds took on a strong Turkish side in Cork, almost pulling off an upset in the dying moments of the game while their Junior counterparts put on an admirable display against a top US high school. The flag football International side also had some success in the European Championships, which were notably hosted in Limerick. The results might not have gone their way but they have certainly paved a path to future success at the top level of competition. At club level, the two top teams in the country went head to head in a thrilling Shamrock Bowl tilt as the Rebels reasserted themselves as top dogs. It’ll take a lot for another outfit to usurp them in 2024.
It was also a big year for Irish American football exports as not one,but two young athletes received scholarships to play in the States, joining the growing ranks of Irishmen plying their trade as College Football kickers and punters. The coming year is sure to bring us a lot more where they came from, as these trailblazers have inspired a whole wave of former rugby, GAA and soccer players looking to make it big in the USA. We may even see another Irishman or two in the NFL, if the rumours are to be believed!
American football in Ireland well and truly came to the forefront of people’s minds in 2023, and it feels like it’s only the beginning. We cannot wait to see what’s in store for the sport here in 2024!
Photo: Charisse Mae Ducao
Great review, Jimmy, but a small shout-out (with regard to Irish teams) should also go to the UL Vikings and the Wexford Eagles for their D1 and D2 championships, respectively! (I may be biased, of course!)