Adam McCann-Gibbs to Make College Football Debut in Aviva
Newry native Adam McCann Gibbs will make his college football debut for the University of North Carolina’s Tar Heels (UNC) in the College Football Classic in Dublin this summer.
McCann-Gibbs will make his debut on home soil against Texas Christian University’s Horned Frogs (TCU) on August 29th.
McCann-Gibbs received a scholarship for Penn State when he was just 17.
TCU will face UNC, which last year appointed Bill Belichick, renowned for coaching NFL greats Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, as Head Coach.
As the official opening fixture for the US College Football season for the fifth consecutive year, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is more than a game, it is a pillar of the Irish summer sporting calendar. Last year’s game between Kansas State and Iowa State, like the games before, was a sell-out and generated an economic impact of €132 million for the Irish Economy.
Over 14,000 international fans are expected to descend upon Ireland, turning Dublin, into a vibrant hub of sporting celebration. Alongside the main spectacle the Aer Lingus College Football Classic offers an immersive week of cultural, business, academic, sporting and community events.
Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas which is widely considered as the most competitive collegiate sporting landscape in all the U.S., TCU will serve as the home team in Dublin. Supporters from Fort Worth will bring with them the essence of all things ‘country’. Dublin can expect to be taken over by Stetsons and spurs come August 29th. Led by Sonny Dykes since 2021, the Horned Frogs have gone from strength to strength, posting a 28-13 record in their first 41 games under Dykes.
TCU will face UNC who last year appointed Bill Belichick, renowned for coaching NFL greats Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, as Head Coach. UNC, a powerhouse of athletic talent, boasts a legacy that extends beyond the gridiron, with alumni such as 6-time NBA Champion Michael Jordan and 2-time Olympic Gold Medallist and FIFA World Cup Winner Mia Hamm.
This clash will be just the fifth time TCU and UNC compete against each other dating back to 1940 and will be the first time the sides play each other internationally, debuting on ESPN for over 4 million U.S viewers.
Padraic O’Kane, CEO of EHL Experiences and Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, said, “With tickets going on sale in Ireland this week, the countdown to another unforgettable Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin truly begins. August 29th will mark our fifth consecutive game at the Aviva Stadium, and each year the excitement, atmosphere, and global interest continue to grow. The arrival of TCU and UNC, promises another spectacular showcase of American football in Ireland, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands of travelling fans alongside Irish supporters for what will be another amazing celebration of sport and culture in Dublin.”
General tickets for the highly anticipated game are available now at www.ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball. More information can be found across the Aer Lingus College Football Classic social media channels over the coming weeks and months. To find out more about why the Aer Lingus College Football Classic is #MuchMoreThanAGame visit www.collegefootballireland.com