Croke Park in line to host first NFL game in Ireland

Croke Park looks set to host Ireland's first NFL game later this year with the Government briefed today on the proposal to bring a Pittsburgh Steelers fixture to GAA Headquarters.

There is speculation that the Steelers will take on the Green Bay Packers in September.

The business case for state funding is currently being worked out between the NFL and the Department of Arts, Tourism, Media and Sport.

While no contracts have been signed yet the Government hopes that an announcement could be made by the weekend, ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday in New Orleans.

Dublin has long been viewed as a potential venue for professional American football as the NFL have been increasing their global footprint in recent years, with games hosted in London, Munich, Berlin and Rio de Janeiro.

Owned by the family of former Ambassador to Ireland and well-known philanthropist, the late Dan Rooney, the Steelers' Irish links saw them play a 1997 exhibition game at Croke Park against the Chicago Bears.

The Steelers played a pre-season friendly against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park in 1997

Two years ago the franchise gained the NFL marketing rights for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland through the NFL's Global Markets Program, paving the way to host games on the island.

Speaking at the time, Rooney's grandson Daniel, the Steelers Director of Business Development and Strategy, spoke about his family's Irish heritage.

"We do have a lot of history here. The Rooneys emigrated to the United States from Newry in the 1840s. We played a game in Ireland, in this stadium, in 1997 and we've been coming back ever since we moved. I love the country.

The seventh oldest team in the NFL, the Steelers have won the Super Bowl six times since they were founded in 1933.

Additional reporting: Mícheál Lehane

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