October 1, 2025 • 19 mins
Michael is joined by NFL UK & Ireland GM Henry Hodgson to reflect on the historic first game in Ireland for the Pittsburgh Steelers - and to look ahead to what is to come next.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Irish airline air Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(00:21):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Hey, everybody, you're very welcome into the Irish Steelers podcast
Michael mcquadier obviously presented by air Lingus and my God,
when you talking about Erlingus. The Steelers were flying on Sunday,
many people generations looking down on Cook Park, including the
late Don Muoney Senior. When the Steelers came into Dublin
and the feeded the Minnesota Vikings in the twenty four
(01:01):
to twenty one matchup, Steelers improving to flinging one in
the season in case you're witting for a little podcast
the Monday after the game didn't happen. I think a
lot of us have been riding the high over the
last few days. A day that meant so much, just
so many people, and you know, it really really did.
I think what we'll do is we're going to save
(01:21):
a podcast to break it down for another time. But
you know, I just want to first he say thank
you to everybody that went to the game to watch
the game, second highest most watched game ever for the
international NFL slit Wow. You know that means an awful
lot to a lot of people. And I can't thank
the Steelers enough. I'm speaking from my own point of
(01:42):
view here for what they have done in the market,
and I know I'm just so proud, and I know
a lot of people are very very proud of what
happened over the last few days. It's delighted to have
a real big one. This week, we have a welcome
return to NFL uken R and GM Henry Hodgson on
the podcast to break down more than of the logistical
steps that took to make it, maybe go inside what
happened to round the game a little bit, but steters
(02:03):
By week coming up. We're going to have a better
review to talk about that game as well coming up
with a few days. But for now you can listen
to Henry Hodgson here on the Irish Staters podcast. Okay,
obviously a historic weekend last weekend for the Staters and
none of it would have been possible in Ireland or
how today the man joining me on this podcast today
NFL UK and Ireland GM, Henry Hodgson comes back. I
(02:26):
think you're on maybe sugar four months ago. Henry, You're
very very welcome. We again.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
How you doing. I am doing great? Thank you still
I think, you know, energized and buzzing from our amazing
weekend in Dublin. An incredible game day.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
And for you, first off, you know you've obviously been
GM for a while now of nfl UK. What did
it mean like to take the game to Dublin? Obviously
you know you took it to twicken Him, which was
a bit different to what you've done previously. What was
it like taking into Dublin and did it sort of
pasher expectations in that sense?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I mean, look at this this has been the cumbination
of a lot of work by a lot of people,
and I appreciate you me saying that it wouldn't have
happened without me, but I think it wouldn't have happened
without the team here that I lead in London. And
I think what was very clear from the beginning as
(03:23):
we hit like forty games we will have played starting
from this Sunday, we'll have played forty games in London.
I think as much as we love and we're very
lucky to be playing at Toham Hotspur Stadium and we
love everything that we do here, I think there was
a lot of energy that came with a new destination
and Dublin as a as a city that was going
to host an NFL game, And I think also a
(03:45):
lot of energy that came understanding the importance of the
game to the Rooney family and to the Steelers. And
so I think it lifted our whole team who've who've
been working on London games for a long time. It
really lifted our team to be working on a game
in Dublin and working on a game on behalf of
the Steelers. And you know, I'm certainly speaking personally, but
(04:06):
I think across the whole group as well, and so
it was something that people were excited about. I think
when it comes to did it meet our expectations? Yes,
and blow them away, just in terms of how it
all happened, how Dublin you know, really kind of came
(04:27):
to life for the game, how the city embraced it,
and how much you know, the NFL took over Dublin.
I think all of us who had been working on
it for that much time were incredibly excited by what
actually came about.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Steelers are still on defeated in irelands that are still
un defeated in Dublin, and I can use that start
ninety seven and twenty five. What was I like to
work with the Steelers to get this over the line.
I know you talked about various different stakeholders there, but
especially I know, you know for people that aren't wear Henry.
You've obviously worked in l A and and different places
of the league, and you know coming over back homing
(05:06):
in to actually make this happen. Talk to us a
bit about working with a Ruey family, and I think
we both know how much at Manton them last weekend.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yeah, I think it's an honor obviously, the Runny family,
uh synonymous with the NFL. They've been part of it
since day one, right, so the opportunity to work with
them has been fantastic. I've been lucky enough to get
to know Dan Rooney over the last few years dating
your predating this, and Dan's a fantastic man and and
(05:36):
someone that you you know, when whenever we've we've spent
time together, you can feel his passion for the NFL
and for for the NFL's sort of international expansion. So
it's it's been great to have the opportunity to work
with him and his team, particularly Reagan Bruba, who's who's
part of the team, are fantastic to work with. These
(06:00):
are good people. They kind of live obviously in the
case of Dan, but across the team you know the
Rooney family spirit. What that means to me, their ethos
is alive in every single one of those people. And
you can see and feel why the Steelers are so
beloved in Pittsburgh and also in Ireland based on you know,
(06:22):
how those people act and do things on a day
to day basis. And again that was part of the
reason that I think the UK and Ireland team here
was so excited by working with them, because it was
such a great experience and everyone felt that the drive
to deliver something great on behalf of the Steelers and
(06:44):
on behalf of the Rooney family in Ireland.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
It wasn't just the game last week. I had the honor,
obviously of going up to Neurian the Belfast and anyone
who knows me. I'm from Northern Ireland and when we
talk about Dan Senior and what he'd done on the
Ireland Funds, I along with my generation, we've been very,
very lucky to grow up in a peaceful society and
I know that a lot of what the Ireland Funds
have done is really due to that. Henry, you know,
(07:09):
how important do you think it was to see a
team like the Steelers not just go in the Dublin,
play a game, have activations around the city and then leave,
but to actually go up north and maybe do more
than what would honestly be expected of a team, especially
when it's week four the season.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
I think it was. I think you're it's a great point.
I think it was. It was an important piece of it,
but it was also never anticipated to be anything other
than what the Steelers were going to do. You know,
as I say, the Steelers are passionate about giving back
to Ireland and they have done for decades, and this
was another way of doing it. But it was never
going to be just them turning up and playing a
(07:47):
game in Dublin, as you say, They wanted to bring
it to life in a lot of different ways. Flag football,
for Ambassador Rooney was an important piece of it. We
retoed at the US Ambassador's residents in Dublin. We recreated
kind of that flag football element for an event that
took place there on Saturday. He wanted, obviously to as
(08:11):
you say, go back to Newry, go back to Belfast,
to that area and be able to put on a
flag football clinic there and to do more things in
schools in that area. And then I think that they did.
You know, they He's the bar for every one of
the NFL teams when it came to their activations in Dublin.
You know a lot of NFL teams have done in London,
(08:32):
Germany or all of the markets that we've played games,
have shown up and put on events in those markets
around games. But I don't think anything compared to what
the Steelers did last Friday, Saturday Sunday with their tailgate
event in Merion Square and the number of Steelers fans
(08:53):
that came by it that wanted to be part of it,
They wanted to experience it. And again, you know, I
think credit to them for creating the touch point in
the city over the weekend, because that's what those those
fans that came in flooded Dublin from the US, from
across Ireland and then from across the rest of Europe.
That's what they were looking for was we want to yes,
(09:14):
yes we want to go to a game, but we
want to get around the NFL, be around the Steelers
brand as much as possible. Over the twenty four to
forty eight and more hours that they were in Dublin.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
One of the best things that I've heard, Henry, maybe
not from fans that are NFL fans or maybe prospective fans,
maybe people that might have not watched the game on Sunday,
with certainly GA fans. A lot of people I've spoken
to over the last few days were blown away by
the way that Cook Park was transformed. Can you talk
to us a bit maybe about your relationship with the
(09:48):
GA and how important that has been to the NFL,
but also I'm conscious we're on the Steers podcast as well,
also to the Steelers organization as well.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Look, I think again, the Steelers launch then Global Market Program,
the GMP presence in Ireland in May twenty twenty three,
and they did it in Croke Park, and so it
you know, the relationship started there with I was lucky
enough to be part of that. You were there as well.
I think you and I even had had a conversation
(10:17):
that day. I don't think either of us would have
probably taken the other one seriously if you'd said two
in a bit years from now, the Steelers will be
playing in an NFL regular season game in this venue.
And so I think the fact that that did happen
is testament to the vision of the Steelers and the
desire to do what they wanted to do, the partnership
(10:38):
that Croke Park and the GAA provided to help that happen,
and really, you know, then the opportunity it gave the
NFL the team here to deliver the game that we
did and to deliver the experience that we did. And
you know, this was a it's a different endeavor, right
(10:58):
because we often will go in to Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium
or later this year we're going to go to the
Bonabille for Real Madrid for the Madrid game. We've played
it Bayern Munich, and so these are stadiums that the
overlay they're used to events, you know, on multiple events
(11:19):
at the sort of Champions League scale. Coming in perhaps
that's not necessarily croak part what they are always used
to doing. But the team there facilitated everything and they
were from day one willing to help us in any
way we could. They certainly taught us a lot about
the stadium and about the expectation of fans there, and
(11:41):
that's an important thing. We don't just want to come
in and create a kind of uniform US type experience.
We wanted to resonate with the Irish audience and I
think they helped us a lot there. But with the
things that we needed to do, the things that are
important to create the atmosphere that was just fantastic on Sunday,
they helped us to do that, and so I think
(12:02):
it was It's been a really strong partnership. And again
this is not the end of anything. This is the
start of new things. And I think especially the partnership
with the GAA. I think we understand just how local,
how you know, how grassroots that organization is, and as
we look to build the Steelers brand and build the
(12:22):
NFL in Ireland, I think they are a great partner
for us going forward because they do have such deep
routes into across across communities across Ireland.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
I can only just a test to what you've said
there from my own experience of dealing with everybody and
I call it the HQ, but with just in Cook
Park over the last couple of years, Henry, they have
been anything that's been needed they have that they have done,
and props to them. Two quick ones for it before
we finish up. So firstly, in terms of the Steelers
element of this podcast, it really did feel like and
(12:58):
I've there's been so many games in London where I
thought I was standing in Buffalo or different cities, it
really did feel like a home game. When you've seen
the terrible tile, when you've seen the different activiations in
the stadium, just how much of that is controlled by
you guys or I'm presuming it's like a collaboration with
the Steelers and making sure it gets that right.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Next Yeah, we've we've i think evolved the game day
experience I would say over the last two three years
for exactly that reason, to try and make it feel
more like a home game for the designated team, for
the home team in this case, the Steelers, and bring
in some of their game day traditions.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
Obviously Renegade is, you know, the probably the best known
Steelers one, but there are a lot about the pregame
Taal twelve that Jorone Betti's led, you know, lots of
those type of things we want to bring in. We
want to make sure it feels authentically Steelers, but we
also want to make sure it feels distinctly local and
obviously the anthems and the music choices and whatever. So
(13:53):
I'd say it's kind of a great collaboration between a
team that will have a very ex vision of what's
important to them from a game day tradition standpoint, and
then a very experienced, you know, the same team that
produces the stadium for the Super Bowl, for the Draft,
for you big NFL events, that we'll say, okay, we'll
(14:14):
bring our expertise when it comes to music and obviously
halftime programming and all those things. And I think that's
a great marriage for us. And that's you know what
we'll be doing in London this this coming weekend and
the weekend after and in Berlin and Madrid as well.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Awesome, ed I said two more questions. I've got a
double barl one for you to finish, because I understand
there's not just Steeers fans listening to this, but NFL fans.
I excited you to see the continued evolution of what
the Steelers do on the island of Ireland, bothrom Northern
Ireland and the Republic going forward. And I have to
ask you because everybody every othermedia island in Ireland has asked, year,
when are you guys coming back? What's the story?
Speaker 3 (14:54):
I'll answer the first one first. I am I'm really
excited to see it because I think in speaking to
the Steelers and this again shows their dedication and desire
to grow in the market. From the moment that we
announced that we were playing a game, they said they
saw that as a springboard for more as opposed to
(15:16):
a means to an end, right, and so they are
very clear in wanting to know this. We've already I've
had conversations with them already about plans for twenty twenty six,
not a game, but plans for twenty twenty six, and
I think that shows that they want to in the
(15:36):
grassroots space continue growing the kind of the community and
the flag football pieces. They want to really use the
interest that you know, we're still experiencing from a really
successful first game in Dublin to build continue to build
programs in Ireland. So there's a lot coming. I'm sure
(15:57):
that will, especially if you're as subscriber or a listener
to this podcast, you'll hear a lot about them for
the first time from your mouth, But there's a lot
that will come as a result of this, as a
result of the interest, because you have no point in
building this momentum without then taking it somewhere. And as
(16:17):
your second question, I mean it's the same answer that
I've been given for the last forty eight hours and
for probably six months before that, even before we played
the game, when people were asking. The answer is we all,
the Steelers, the NFL, the Irish government, Dublin City Council,
the GAA and Croak Park. We need to sit down
together and say did this achieve our goals? And I
(16:38):
think a lot of what we've just discussed, and a
lot of the elements that have been talked about today
and I have been talked about since the game would
point to yes, it did. It was a successful game
in a lot of ways. The Commissioner himself stated that,
you know, there's a desire to return to Ireland, and
typically when he says things, those things happen. So I
(17:00):
think we will will go down that road. We'll we'll
have those discussions and then we'll see where that takes us.
But I don't I'm afraid I don't have any breaking
news I can reveal to you today, at least to
update you on that one.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Look, it's awesome. I know I speak on behalf a
lot of fans when I said thank you all you guys,
but a lot of us have been riding on a high
over the last few years. I'm definitely grateful for you
to come on, Henry. I know you're extremely busy this
week with a London games, and just want to wish
you the best over the next few weeks and then yeah,
we'll talk you soon. Thanks very much for coming up.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Thank you very much. And again, look, I mean I
feel the same way right we. I think we were
all incredibly lucky to experience that historical event at Croak
Park and in Dublin over the week. So we're feeling
good here in London as we prepare for those London
Games that we have all of that energy that was
caused by the Steelers fans coming into too the city
(17:56):
and making such a great event. So so thank you
to you and thank you to all your listeners that
were part of that.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
It was.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
It was fantastic to be to.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Be a part of.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
Irish airline. Air Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlinus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of Transatlantic routes operated by the
(18:47):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the Big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome
Irish airline air Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(00:21):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Hey, everybody, you're very welcome into the Irish Steelers podcast
Michael mcquadier obviously presented by air Lingus and my God,
when you talking about Erlingus. The Steelers were flying on Sunday,
many people generations looking down on Cook Park, including the
late Don Muoney Senior. When the Steelers came into Dublin
and the feeded the Minnesota Vikings in the twenty four
(01:01):
to twenty one matchup, Steelers improving to flinging one in
the season in case you're witting for a little podcast
the Monday after the game didn't happen. I think a
lot of us have been riding the high over the
last few days. A day that meant so much, just
so many people, and you know, it really really did.
I think what we'll do is we're going to save
(01:21):
a podcast to break it down for another time. But
you know, I just want to first he say thank
you to everybody that went to the game to watch
the game, second highest most watched game ever for the
international NFL slit Wow. You know that means an awful
lot to a lot of people. And I can't thank
the Steelers enough. I'm speaking from my own point of
(01:42):
view here for what they have done in the market,
and I know I'm just so proud, and I know
a lot of people are very very proud of what
happened over the last few days. It's delighted to have
a real big one. This week, we have a welcome
return to NFL uken R and GM Henry Hodgson on
the podcast to break down more than of the logistical
steps that took to make it, maybe go inside what
happened to round the game a little bit, but steters
(02:03):
By week coming up. We're going to have a better
review to talk about that game as well coming up
with a few days. But for now you can listen
to Henry Hodgson here on the Irish Staters podcast. Okay,
obviously a historic weekend last weekend for the Staters and
none of it would have been possible in Ireland or
how today the man joining me on this podcast today
NFL UK and Ireland GM, Henry Hodgson comes back. I
(02:26):
think you're on maybe sugar four months ago. Henry, You're
very very welcome. We again.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
How you doing. I am doing great? Thank you still
I think, you know, energized and buzzing from our amazing
weekend in Dublin. An incredible game day.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
And for you, first off, you know you've obviously been
GM for a while now of nfl UK. What did
it mean like to take the game to Dublin? Obviously
you know you took it to twicken Him, which was
a bit different to what you've done previously. What was
it like taking into Dublin and did it sort of
pasher expectations in that sense?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I mean, look at this this has been the cumbination
of a lot of work by a lot of people,
and I appreciate you me saying that it wouldn't have
happened without me, but I think it wouldn't have happened
without the team here that I lead in London. And
I think what was very clear from the beginning as
(03:23):
we hit like forty games we will have played starting
from this Sunday, we'll have played forty games in London.
I think as much as we love and we're very
lucky to be playing at Toham Hotspur Stadium and we
love everything that we do here, I think there was
a lot of energy that came with a new destination
and Dublin as a as a city that was going
to host an NFL game, And I think also a
(03:45):
lot of energy that came understanding the importance of the
game to the Rooney family and to the Steelers. And
so I think it lifted our whole team who've who've
been working on London games for a long time. It
really lifted our team to be working on a game
in Dublin and working on a game on behalf of
the Steelers. And you know, I'm certainly speaking personally, but
(04:06):
I think across the whole group as well, and so
it was something that people were excited about. I think
when it comes to did it meet our expectations? Yes,
and blow them away, just in terms of how it
all happened, how Dublin you know, really kind of came
(04:27):
to life for the game, how the city embraced it,
and how much you know, the NFL took over Dublin.
I think all of us who had been working on
it for that much time were incredibly excited by what
actually came about.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Steelers are still on defeated in irelands that are still
un defeated in Dublin, and I can use that start
ninety seven and twenty five. What was I like to
work with the Steelers to get this over the line.
I know you talked about various different stakeholders there, but
especially I know, you know for people that aren't wear Henry.
You've obviously worked in l A and and different places
of the league, and you know coming over back homing
(05:06):
in to actually make this happen. Talk to us a
bit about working with a Ruey family, and I think
we both know how much at Manton them last weekend.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yeah, I think it's an honor obviously, the Runny family,
uh synonymous with the NFL. They've been part of it
since day one, right, so the opportunity to work with
them has been fantastic. I've been lucky enough to get
to know Dan Rooney over the last few years dating
your predating this, and Dan's a fantastic man and and
(05:36):
someone that you you know, when whenever we've we've spent
time together, you can feel his passion for the NFL
and for for the NFL's sort of international expansion. So
it's it's been great to have the opportunity to work
with him and his team, particularly Reagan Bruba, who's who's
part of the team, are fantastic to work with. These
(06:00):
are good people. They kind of live obviously in the
case of Dan, but across the team you know the
Rooney family spirit. What that means to me, their ethos
is alive in every single one of those people. And
you can see and feel why the Steelers are so
beloved in Pittsburgh and also in Ireland based on you know,
(06:22):
how those people act and do things on a day
to day basis. And again that was part of the
reason that I think the UK and Ireland team here
was so excited by working with them, because it was
such a great experience and everyone felt that the drive
to deliver something great on behalf of the Steelers and
(06:44):
on behalf of the Rooney family in Ireland.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
It wasn't just the game last week. I had the honor,
obviously of going up to Neurian the Belfast and anyone
who knows me. I'm from Northern Ireland and when we
talk about Dan Senior and what he'd done on the
Ireland Funds, I along with my generation, we've been very,
very lucky to grow up in a peaceful society and
I know that a lot of what the Ireland Funds
have done is really due to that. Henry, you know,
(07:09):
how important do you think it was to see a
team like the Steelers not just go in the Dublin,
play a game, have activations around the city and then leave,
but to actually go up north and maybe do more
than what would honestly be expected of a team, especially
when it's week four the season.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
I think it was. I think you're it's a great point.
I think it was. It was an important piece of it,
but it was also never anticipated to be anything other
than what the Steelers were going to do. You know,
as I say, the Steelers are passionate about giving back
to Ireland and they have done for decades, and this
was another way of doing it. But it was never
going to be just them turning up and playing a
(07:47):
game in Dublin, as you say, They wanted to bring
it to life in a lot of different ways. Flag football,
for Ambassador Rooney was an important piece of it. We
retoed at the US Ambassador's residents in Dublin. We recreated
kind of that flag football element for an event that
took place there on Saturday. He wanted, obviously to as
(08:11):
you say, go back to Newry, go back to Belfast,
to that area and be able to put on a
flag football clinic there and to do more things in
schools in that area. And then I think that they did.
You know, they He's the bar for every one of
the NFL teams when it came to their activations in Dublin.
You know a lot of NFL teams have done in London,
(08:32):
Germany or all of the markets that we've played games,
have shown up and put on events in those markets
around games. But I don't think anything compared to what
the Steelers did last Friday, Saturday Sunday with their tailgate
event in Merion Square and the number of Steelers fans
(08:53):
that came by it that wanted to be part of it,
They wanted to experience it. And again, you know, I
think credit to them for creating the touch point in
the city over the weekend, because that's what those those
fans that came in flooded Dublin from the US, from
across Ireland and then from across the rest of Europe.
That's what they were looking for was we want to yes,
(09:14):
yes we want to go to a game, but we
want to get around the NFL, be around the Steelers
brand as much as possible. Over the twenty four to
forty eight and more hours that they were in Dublin.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
One of the best things that I've heard, Henry, maybe
not from fans that are NFL fans or maybe prospective fans,
maybe people that might have not watched the game on Sunday,
with certainly GA fans. A lot of people I've spoken
to over the last few days were blown away by
the way that Cook Park was transformed. Can you talk
to us a bit maybe about your relationship with the
(09:48):
GA and how important that has been to the NFL,
but also I'm conscious we're on the Steers podcast as well,
also to the Steelers organization as well.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Look, I think again, the Steelers launch then Global Market Program,
the GMP presence in Ireland in May twenty twenty three,
and they did it in Croke Park, and so it
you know, the relationship started there with I was lucky
enough to be part of that. You were there as well.
I think you and I even had had a conversation
(10:17):
that day. I don't think either of us would have
probably taken the other one seriously if you'd said two
in a bit years from now, the Steelers will be
playing in an NFL regular season game in this venue.
And so I think the fact that that did happen
is testament to the vision of the Steelers and the
desire to do what they wanted to do, the partnership
(10:38):
that Croke Park and the GAA provided to help that happen,
and really, you know, then the opportunity it gave the
NFL the team here to deliver the game that we
did and to deliver the experience that we did. And
you know, this was a it's a different endeavor, right
(10:58):
because we often will go in to Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium
or later this year we're going to go to the
Bonabille for Real Madrid for the Madrid game. We've played
it Bayern Munich, and so these are stadiums that the
overlay they're used to events, you know, on multiple events
(11:19):
at the sort of Champions League scale. Coming in perhaps
that's not necessarily croak part what they are always used
to doing. But the team there facilitated everything and they
were from day one willing to help us in any
way we could. They certainly taught us a lot about
the stadium and about the expectation of fans there, and
(11:41):
that's an important thing. We don't just want to come
in and create a kind of uniform US type experience.
We wanted to resonate with the Irish audience and I
think they helped us a lot there. But with the
things that we needed to do, the things that are
important to create the atmosphere that was just fantastic on Sunday,
they helped us to do that, and so I think
(12:02):
it was It's been a really strong partnership. And again
this is not the end of anything. This is the
start of new things. And I think especially the partnership
with the GAA. I think we understand just how local,
how you know, how grassroots that organization is, and as
we look to build the Steelers brand and build the
(12:22):
NFL in Ireland, I think they are a great partner
for us going forward because they do have such deep
routes into across across communities across Ireland.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
I can only just a test to what you've said
there from my own experience of dealing with everybody and
I call it the HQ, but with just in Cook
Park over the last couple of years, Henry, they have
been anything that's been needed they have that they have done,
and props to them. Two quick ones for it before
we finish up. So firstly, in terms of the Steelers
element of this podcast, it really did feel like and
(12:58):
I've there's been so many games in London where I
thought I was standing in Buffalo or different cities, it
really did feel like a home game. When you've seen
the terrible tile, when you've seen the different activiations in
the stadium, just how much of that is controlled by
you guys or I'm presuming it's like a collaboration with
the Steelers and making sure it gets that right.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Next Yeah, we've we've i think evolved the game day
experience I would say over the last two three years
for exactly that reason, to try and make it feel
more like a home game for the designated team, for
the home team in this case, the Steelers, and bring
in some of their game day traditions.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
Obviously Renegade is, you know, the probably the best known
Steelers one, but there are a lot about the pregame
Taal twelve that Jorone Betti's led, you know, lots of
those type of things we want to bring in. We
want to make sure it feels authentically Steelers, but we
also want to make sure it feels distinctly local and
obviously the anthems and the music choices and whatever. So
(13:53):
I'd say it's kind of a great collaboration between a
team that will have a very ex vision of what's
important to them from a game day tradition standpoint, and
then a very experienced, you know, the same team that
produces the stadium for the Super Bowl, for the Draft,
for you big NFL events, that we'll say, okay, we'll
(14:14):
bring our expertise when it comes to music and obviously
halftime programming and all those things. And I think that's
a great marriage for us. And that's you know what
we'll be doing in London this this coming weekend and
the weekend after and in Berlin and Madrid as well.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Awesome, ed I said two more questions. I've got a
double barl one for you to finish, because I understand
there's not just Steeers fans listening to this, but NFL fans.
I excited you to see the continued evolution of what
the Steelers do on the island of Ireland, bothrom Northern
Ireland and the Republic going forward. And I have to
ask you because everybody every othermedia island in Ireland has asked, year,
when are you guys coming back? What's the story?
Speaker 3 (14:54):
I'll answer the first one first. I am I'm really
excited to see it because I think in speaking to
the Steelers and this again shows their dedication and desire
to grow in the market. From the moment that we
announced that we were playing a game, they said they
saw that as a springboard for more as opposed to
(15:16):
a means to an end, right, and so they are
very clear in wanting to know this. We've already I've
had conversations with them already about plans for twenty twenty six,
not a game, but plans for twenty twenty six, and
I think that shows that they want to in the
(15:36):
grassroots space continue growing the kind of the community and
the flag football pieces. They want to really use the
interest that you know, we're still experiencing from a really
successful first game in Dublin to build continue to build
programs in Ireland. So there's a lot coming. I'm sure
(15:57):
that will, especially if you're as subscriber or a listener
to this podcast, you'll hear a lot about them for
the first time from your mouth, But there's a lot
that will come as a result of this, as a
result of the interest, because you have no point in
building this momentum without then taking it somewhere. And as
(16:17):
your second question, I mean it's the same answer that
I've been given for the last forty eight hours and
for probably six months before that, even before we played
the game, when people were asking. The answer is we all,
the Steelers, the NFL, the Irish government, Dublin City Council,
the GAA and Croak Park. We need to sit down
together and say did this achieve our goals? And I
(16:38):
think a lot of what we've just discussed, and a
lot of the elements that have been talked about today
and I have been talked about since the game would
point to yes, it did. It was a successful game
in a lot of ways. The Commissioner himself stated that,
you know, there's a desire to return to Ireland, and
typically when he says things, those things happen. So I
(17:00):
think we will will go down that road. We'll we'll
have those discussions and then we'll see where that takes us.
But I don't I'm afraid I don't have any breaking
news I can reveal to you today, at least to
update you on that one.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Look, it's awesome. I know I speak on behalf a
lot of fans when I said thank you all you guys,
but a lot of us have been riding on a high
over the last few years. I'm definitely grateful for you
to come on, Henry. I know you're extremely busy this
week with a London games, and just want to wish
you the best over the next few weeks and then yeah,
we'll talk you soon. Thanks very much for coming up.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Thank you very much. And again, look, I mean I
feel the same way right we. I think we were
all incredibly lucky to experience that historical event at Croak
Park and in Dublin over the week. So we're feeling
good here in London as we prepare for those London
Games that we have all of that energy that was
caused by the Steelers fans coming into too the city
(17:56):
and making such a great event. So so thank you
to you and thank you to all your listeners that
were part of that.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
It was.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
It was fantastic to be to.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Be a part of.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
Irish airline. Air Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlinus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of Transatlantic routes operated by the
(18:47):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the Big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome
Popular Podcasts
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com