February 7, 2025 • 18 mins
The Steelers will play a regular season game in Ireland in 2025, it was announced on Friday. Michael reacts to the historic news with Steelers Director of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney and Croke Park Stadium Director Peter McKenna.
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 (00:05):
And everybody welcome into a very very special episode all
of the Irish Stadious podcast. I'm your host Michael mcquid,
as we celebrate a historic day not only in the
history of American football in Ireland, but in the history
of the Pittsburgh Staeters. You're listening to the Irish Stadters
podcast presented by aer Lingus, the Irish airline. Air Lingus
has just announced on Friday plans to become an official
(00:26):
airline partner of the Pittsburgh Staters. As the founding partner
of Stedars Ireland, Aerlingus will be welcoming the Staters and
all of Staters Nation to Dublin this autumn for what's
said to be a fantastic NFL showdown. For listeners outside
of Ireland. You can book your flight to Dublin now
at erlingus dot com to make sure you don't miss
out on any of the actions. And that's right. There's
a really historic day here for the Pittsburgh Staters as
(00:48):
they have been announced as the first ever designated home
team to play a game on the island of Ireland,
an NFL game in Croke Park Stadium later this year.
This is a very special podcast we're going to be
joined by Don Rooney, the director of Business Development and
the Strategy for the Staters, and we're also going to
be joined by Peter McKenna, who is the stadium director
(01:09):
for Kroke Park Stadium. On the day that the Steelers
make history. They will play a game in Kroke Park
Stadium at some point this year, which will be confirmed
over the next few months. Let's firstly hear from Director
of Business Development and Strategy Don Rooney as he reflects
on a historic day for the Pittsburgh Staters franchise. Absolutely
(01:33):
delighted to be joined by Don Rooney after the historic
announcement of the Steelers playing their first game in Krooke
Park for a regular season game. Don, it's great to
see how you feeling this morning.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Doing well, Michael. Exciting times here in New Orleans around
this big announcement and pretty incredible as we were chatting
the Steelers making the global markets announcement back in May
of twenty twenty three, and now we're looking at a
game in Dublin, Ireland in Croke Park in twenty twenty five,
so we're extremely excited.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
It's one thing to talk about the actual announcement. You know,
for yourself personally, for the team, what is most exciting
to you to have this opportunity not just to plan Onland,
but you're the first team to do so as well.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yeah, I think it just starts with our family history, Michael,
the Rooney family immigrating over from the island of Ireland
back in the eighteen hundreds, and you know, just all
the connection we have with the Irish people and how
special the country is to my family, and the fact
that the Steelers played a game over at Croke Park
in nineteen ninety seven. I think I was around seven
years old back then, but have vague memories of it,
(02:41):
and you know, my grandfather's time as the US Ambassada Ireland.
The fact that we're now staring at a regular season
game where our team and our fans are going to
get a chance to travel to Dublin to take in
you know, big time American football, you know, historic moment
for our franchise.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
It really really is. I remember we were talking another
ago about the initial press conference in Dublin a couple
of years ago. How did this allt transpire? Did it
really start from Nan or has it really been a
process going for an ongoing period of time. How did
you get to the stitch?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
It's really an ode to the NFL and their vision
to expand our game globally. You know, the NFL's initiative
to increase the inventory of international games, and as the
commissioner set that mission out, Dublin became a real possibility.
You see, how the College Football Classic performs on a
yearly basis shows off the you know, the spirit and
(03:33):
energy in Dublin being able to host large scale events.
And I do think the league has taken notice to
the number of American football fans in Ireland, across the island,
and you know, all of the excitement the Steelers have
been able to generate there over the past few years.
That's all been noticed by the NFL, and Dublin is
situated perfectly to be next on the map for a game.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You mentioned the College Football tossic There one thing that
really has changed since ninety seven with that preseason game
is probably the improvement and infrastructure and also stadia. How
was Krook Park selected? How did Krook Park stand out
in that sense?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, again, another question for the NFL in terms of
how they made a decision. There are two you know,
elite venues in Dublin, Aviva in Croke. You know, Croke
has so much history that we've been able to learn
more of over the past few years, and you know,
the GAA's presence there is immense the big time concerts
(04:27):
that take place at Croke Park. Just really excited for
for our franchise to be able to join in on
that history that I know is very special to the
Irish people.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
I spoke with Peter mccawna today as well and sort
of mentioned that it's really the dawn of a new
year for the stadium. I think a lot of people
Steelers fans are apple say it's a very very exciting time.
So we're really looking forward to that. What's the value
for the NFL but also the steters of playing a
game internationally. Yes, you can bring funds over, but don
it seems like a lot, like a like a lot
more than that as well.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, there's nothing better than a live American football game.
So the fact that you know, fans from all over
the world can can travel to this game, our our
Irish fans will have it right right there in their backyard,
you know, huge for for growing the fan base of
American football fans and Steelers fans and you know, promoting
our sport of American football, and you know, we know
(05:16):
there's a big passion for for participating and playing in
the sport. We've held several youth football clinics across the
island over the past few years and have seen a
big interest. So this game is only going to further
ignite the you know, the power of American football and
sharing that with the with the Irish people.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Talk about sharing it with the Irish people. You're buying
on because some of the things that you guys have
done over the last couple of years have been so memorable,
from watch parties to flag football events. Just in terms
of from now until the game later in the year,
what type of activities do you have planned? There is
a very much a witnancy in terms of an exciting way.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, I mean, if you look at what we've done
over the past few years around big NFL events, the
Steelers have had a presence in Ireland. So if it's
something around the draft, you can expect that bringing our alumni,
big big name former Steelers over to to you know,
engage with the Irish and teach our game, also bring
current players over to see the country that they'll be
(06:14):
playing a game in next season. All important for us,
and you know, we're really excited to continue to travel
over to Ireland to bring the Steelers brand.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
I feel like the next team months are going to
fly in and you mentioned the fans there, but I
feel as well when we've got our kidded league with
AFI and so many different things go on. How have
you seen the game of American football growing Ireland? Even
from that announcements with the Global Markets program in twenty
twenty fleets, it's got bigger and bigger, even in the
space for a couple of years.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah, every time we travel over, we hear more chatter
about American football. We see more terrible towels in Steelers
jerseys walking around Ireland. So we've certainly seen it from
that level. We've seen our listeners go up on this
great podcast that you host, and all of our followers
on our Steelers Irish channels, and you know, we know
that the Irish people like to tune into red Zone
(07:06):
in our games and love fantasy football, so all of
that continues to go up. And you know, the work
that the AFI has done to really grow the sport
from a grassroots level. They've been fantastic partners of ours
and in all of our camps, and the NFL has
done a fantastic job with the International Player Pathway program
and NFL Academy. You're you're seeing Irish athletes participate in
(07:29):
all these programs, and you know, some great athletes coming
from from the island, and they seem to have a
liking for American football.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
I don't recall a time where I've seen such an
excitement honestly, not just with the game, but just around
everyone else. So it's it's just an exciting time. Look,
what do you hope comes of this scheme in terms
of the status planet art and what would you like
the legacy to be in terms of the scheme coming
up this year.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Really continuing on what has already been established. We said
from the start, the Steelers want to be Ireland's NFL team,
and that's through you know, real real connection that's through
my families. You know, ties back back to the back
to the island. Everything my grandfather you know, has worked
on with Ireland. You know, we hope this game only
(08:13):
furthers our connection with the Irish people, and you know,
we're we're excited to get you know, Pittsburgh on on
the global map. This is big for our hometown of
Pittsburgh as well, to play a game internationally and put
a big spotlight on on our hometown, which we love
so much. So, you know, just continuing to further the
connection between Pittsburgh and Ireland, the Steelers in Ireland, in
the NFL and Ireland. The game is going to be
(08:36):
a great launching pad for that.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Yeah, the first time is twenty thirteen. It's it's just
really really cool to see what happened, especially for the
Steels and for the city of Pittsburgh as well. So
it's going to be a great few months. I guess. Finally,
it would be a missively not to say it. Don
you talk about your grandfather there and your family. You know,
we've seen through the years ninety seven the push to
hopefully get well and even offer out there. It came
to pass, and we know, I how the opportunity this
(08:58):
year really creating his tree. You almost be very very
proud of what you've achieved even to this point, because
it's it's a monumental achievement. And I think when we say,
you know, fank you for what has happened over the
last few months. But the excitement done is is just
something else.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Yep, the excitement is certainly bubbling up and we'll continue
to the closer we get to this game next season.
And I do know my grandfather would be proud of
the organization for taking this step and the fact that
the NFL opened this opportunity up where we're just thankful
and you know, can't can't wait to kick the kick
(09:32):
the ball off over there in Dublin.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
I have no doubt he'll be looking down smiling when
it happens. Thank you so much for your time, not
just today but also over the last couple of years.
Congratulations and we will chat to you very soon. Again. Done. Thanks.
It's great to hear from Don Rooney and what's not
just a fantastic day for the team, but surely you know,
an emotional day for the Rooney family and a fantastic
day of day that we really have been waiting a
(09:55):
long time to hear and see we're gonna hear from
stadium director and crok Park Peter mcckennon on what it
means to actually have this game in such an iconic
stadium like Croup Park. Peter, You're very welcome to the
R Shooters podcast on this historic there, Peter, this is
a landmark moment for Crook Park. You know, talk to
us around the planning that was involved and the work.
Did it actually talked for us to get to this stage.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Yeah, it's it's amazing, Michael. You know, our first I
suppose an application to the NFL was back in twenty twelve,
and I remember sending a guy over to New York
with our application to see we could be considered to be,
you know, part of their new international program. And now
you roll on, you know, fourteen years or so, and
(10:41):
now it's real, and it's just unbelievable. It's it's I
mean massive excitement that I mean, the the NFL is
without the biggest sport that there is, So it's it's
it's a huge it's a huge achievement and we're all
thrilled to be to be selected.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
You know, Peter, for you personally, you were on the
scene when this team played here in nineteen ninety seven,
and you're obviously not a key stakeholder in the venue
hosting the game this fall on a personal level. What
does this mean to you?
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Yeah, way back in ninety seven, I was working in
a publishing company, so I was involved in producing programs
and stuff for it with one of the national sponsors,
the Smartfet Group. So now to have it moved right
through and into sports, which has transformed since then, particularly
only in the domestic front, this is I mean, it's like,
(11:38):
I don't know how to describe it, like getting flying
erraws or something like that. So you know, We've I've hosted,
I've been in charge of fifty or our on finals
or more here and crow Parark International, soccer, international, rugby
six nations, some of the world's great concerts. You two, Coldplay,
Rolling Stones. But this is the big baby, This is
(12:01):
the This is when opera comes to town in its
great magnificence.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Obviously, Peter Today itself is going to be quite different
to a GA game. What can fans expect from Crewe
Parkler on this year?
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I think it's going to be a great mingling you have.
You know, American fans are going to come across and
they will be well used to you know, what is
a very very long day or day that's full of excitement,
you know of you know the tail party and Crowns
gathering and then go into the game and you know
all the the entertainment and they have food and drink
(12:33):
to go with that for the for the g a
fan for the Irish fan. More and more used to
like arriving, you know, half an hour before the whistle,
whistle goes and so on. So I think you're going
to get two cultures coming together. Certainly any of the
big fan bases here in Dublin. When when you sit
into a broad they get right into it. They know
(12:54):
exactly what where, and I think the number of I
was surprised when we in Munich. Every supporter where's their
team colors, even though their team may not be playing.
So it's a massive pageantry. It's almost like commodi grand
a sense.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
I mean, it is tremendous, Peter, it's a big, big day.
But can you tell us what it's been like to
work with both the NFL and the Stads to really
make history to have this first game on the island
of Ireland. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
The NFL have a really professional team in Henry Hodson
and Tom Kylie. Both men have really their attention to detail.
It's meticulous match deepually, I guess with with Dan Dan
Rooney and his team and it really strikes you and
everyone's very courteous and nice, but the focus on detailed,
(13:40):
detailed detail, it really is quite extraordinary. So I think
for my team it was a surprise that we thought
we were best in class. But I suppose every day
is a school day. We've learned a lot just in
the six months been working with the teams.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
And I'm led to believe Peter to Crewe Park operations
have visited a number of different outlets for the NFL,
including but also the NFL Munich game in November. How
impressed have you been with football operations for an NFL game?
On what key aspects have you taken to it? Here
to in Dublin.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
So, I think the the NFL really focuses on the
fan experience. So the fan comes very very early to
the stadium, so food, beverage, the whole entertainment, you know,
getting pictures, getting meet and great noise, music, pageantry, side
games that you know, people can try their experience, their
(14:32):
expertise and and and look foolish when they can only
throw a ball half half a distance and stuff. So
it's a it's a really really powerful day out. Again
in terms of I say from a stadium perspective, You're
you're looking at the attention to detail in terms of security,
be far tighter than we would normally be used to
(14:52):
in an Irish context. Magno trons and you know, searches
and stuff for people coming into the stadium, the focus
on fans safety, books on fan comfort and fan entertainment.
And then that the players are they really are treated
as top class athletes. So nothing is too too small
(15:12):
an ask or too big an ask to to to
be sorted. So it's it's a spectacular experience essent. You
understand that, Michael, It's like this great opera. And you know,
I think we're just so proud to have been selected.
You know, you think of all of the cities in
(15:33):
Europe that the NFL could have gone to, you know,
the big sporting history cities to be selected is I
mean that in itself is a huge win. Well, we've
got to do now is not let anybody down, not
least ourselves, and we won't do that.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Peter Cook Park is a world class venue for not
only sporting but other live events. It feels like this
is the start of a new year for the stadium.
How excited do you and the team to finally get
this over the line and begin a journey with NFL.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Well, I think it gives us a sense of like
we have we have arrived, you know, we've we have
hosted a lot of really important matches in an Irish
context and in the European context. It just puts us
on the world stage like I think only a cold
Player YouTube concert could do. But this is this is
the next level up again. So you know, I think
(16:22):
the American fan traveling and the two NFL teams, they're
going to get a reception that they will probably only
normally get in their hometown. I mean, Jonlin is is
sporting mad. You know, we follow every single sport with
a massive passion, so whether that's GA or soccer, rugby.
I mean every venue is filled out for the big game.
(16:44):
So I think there'll be a massive clamor for tickets.
I think this is going to be really successful and
I think, you know, we will be up there with
the other great cities in Europe to say yeah we
can host this and not really is it Dublin event
is going to be the whole country I think Ireland
is small, so everyone's going to get in behind this.
(17:06):
That's what makes it very unusual. That's why the Rider
Cup is in Limerick. It's going to be very very
special because you know we will all be pushing and
rooting for the for the Irish team there and the Steelers,
you know with them, the Rudy families in involvement and
you know the the late great Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rudey.
(17:28):
I mean they got an immediate homemade fan bise.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Peter. Look, the time is perfect obviously, the g SC's
and ends in July or August. The field will be
in great condition.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
The field will be immaculate. It's we're very proud. It's
one of the great services. In fact, meeting with the NFL,
you know, advanced team. They're very impressed with the fact
that we have our own tar farm, so you know
we can take in Tariff, which is closer to what
the NFL want in terms of their playing surface then
they get anywhere else in Europe. And I was we
(17:57):
scored very high marks on that too, Peter.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
This has been a great opportunity to speak to you
on a historic day. I really really appreciate the chance
to chat to you, and I know there's so many
Staters fans and NFL fans alike that will be listening
to this podcast. Thankful to hear what you've had to
say today. We'll chat to you very soon and we're
looking forward to getting down to the Crook Park at
some stage in the new season in the NFL. Foreign
history will be made when the Pittsburgh Staters play in
(18:21):
Crook Park. We'll chat to you soon.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Love to tell you that, Michael, take care.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
It has been an absolute honor to hear from both
guys after the brilliant news that the Pittsburgh Staters will
be the first ever designated home team to play in
Dublin for an NFL game. We can't wait for later
on this year, and I can tell you we're going
to have some great podcasts coming up to celebrate this
momentous milestone, not just for Irish American football fans, but
(18:45):
for the Pittsburgh Staters. Will chat to you soon. Thanks
for listening.
And everybody welcome into a very very special episode all
of the Irish Stadious podcast. I'm your host Michael mcquid,
as we celebrate a historic day not only in the
history of American football in Ireland, but in the history
of the Pittsburgh Staeters. You're listening to the Irish Stadters
podcast presented by aer Lingus, the Irish airline. Air Lingus
has just announced on Friday plans to become an official
(00:26):
airline partner of the Pittsburgh Staters. As the founding partner
of Stedars Ireland, Aerlingus will be welcoming the Staters and
all of Staters Nation to Dublin this autumn for what's
said to be a fantastic NFL showdown. For listeners outside
of Ireland. You can book your flight to Dublin now
at erlingus dot com to make sure you don't miss
out on any of the actions. And that's right. There's
a really historic day here for the Pittsburgh Staters as
(00:48):
they have been announced as the first ever designated home
team to play a game on the island of Ireland,
an NFL game in Croke Park Stadium later this year.
This is a very special podcast we're going to be
joined by Don Rooney, the director of Business Development and
the Strategy for the Staters, and we're also going to
be joined by Peter McKenna, who is the stadium director
(01:09):
for Kroke Park Stadium. On the day that the Steelers
make history. They will play a game in Kroke Park
Stadium at some point this year, which will be confirmed
over the next few months. Let's firstly hear from Director
of Business Development and Strategy Don Rooney as he reflects
on a historic day for the Pittsburgh Staters franchise. Absolutely
(01:33):
delighted to be joined by Don Rooney after the historic
announcement of the Steelers playing their first game in Krooke
Park for a regular season game. Don, it's great to
see how you feeling this morning.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Doing well, Michael. Exciting times here in New Orleans around
this big announcement and pretty incredible as we were chatting
the Steelers making the global markets announcement back in May
of twenty twenty three, and now we're looking at a
game in Dublin, Ireland in Croke Park in twenty twenty five,
so we're extremely excited.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
It's one thing to talk about the actual announcement. You know,
for yourself personally, for the team, what is most exciting
to you to have this opportunity not just to plan Onland,
but you're the first team to do so as well.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yeah, I think it just starts with our family history, Michael,
the Rooney family immigrating over from the island of Ireland
back in the eighteen hundreds, and you know, just all
the connection we have with the Irish people and how
special the country is to my family, and the fact
that the Steelers played a game over at Croke Park
in nineteen ninety seven. I think I was around seven
years old back then, but have vague memories of it,
(02:41):
and you know, my grandfather's time as the US Ambassada Ireland.
The fact that we're now staring at a regular season
game where our team and our fans are going to
get a chance to travel to Dublin to take in
you know, big time American football, you know, historic moment
for our franchise.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
It really really is. I remember we were talking another
ago about the initial press conference in Dublin a couple
of years ago. How did this allt transpire? Did it
really start from Nan or has it really been a
process going for an ongoing period of time. How did
you get to the stitch?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
It's really an ode to the NFL and their vision
to expand our game globally. You know, the NFL's initiative
to increase the inventory of international games, and as the
commissioner set that mission out, Dublin became a real possibility.
You see, how the College Football Classic performs on a
yearly basis shows off the you know, the spirit and
(03:33):
energy in Dublin being able to host large scale events.
And I do think the league has taken notice to
the number of American football fans in Ireland, across the island,
and you know, all of the excitement the Steelers have
been able to generate there over the past few years.
That's all been noticed by the NFL, and Dublin is
situated perfectly to be next on the map for a game.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You mentioned the College Football tossic There one thing that
really has changed since ninety seven with that preseason game
is probably the improvement and infrastructure and also stadia. How
was Krook Park selected? How did Krook Park stand out
in that sense?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, again, another question for the NFL in terms of
how they made a decision. There are two you know,
elite venues in Dublin, Aviva in Croke. You know, Croke
has so much history that we've been able to learn
more of over the past few years, and you know,
the GAA's presence there is immense the big time concerts
(04:27):
that take place at Croke Park. Just really excited for
for our franchise to be able to join in on
that history that I know is very special to the
Irish people.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
I spoke with Peter mccawna today as well and sort
of mentioned that it's really the dawn of a new
year for the stadium. I think a lot of people
Steelers fans are apple say it's a very very exciting time.
So we're really looking forward to that. What's the value
for the NFL but also the steters of playing a
game internationally. Yes, you can bring funds over, but don
it seems like a lot, like a like a lot
more than that as well.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, there's nothing better than a live American football game.
So the fact that you know, fans from all over
the world can can travel to this game, our our
Irish fans will have it right right there in their backyard,
you know, huge for for growing the fan base of
American football fans and Steelers fans and you know, promoting
our sport of American football, and you know, we know
(05:16):
there's a big passion for for participating and playing in
the sport. We've held several youth football clinics across the
island over the past few years and have seen a
big interest. So this game is only going to further
ignite the you know, the power of American football and
sharing that with the with the Irish people.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Talk about sharing it with the Irish people. You're buying
on because some of the things that you guys have
done over the last couple of years have been so memorable,
from watch parties to flag football events. Just in terms
of from now until the game later in the year,
what type of activities do you have planned? There is
a very much a witnancy in terms of an exciting way.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, I mean, if you look at what we've done
over the past few years around big NFL events, the
Steelers have had a presence in Ireland. So if it's
something around the draft, you can expect that bringing our alumni,
big big name former Steelers over to to you know,
engage with the Irish and teach our game, also bring
current players over to see the country that they'll be
(06:14):
playing a game in next season. All important for us,
and you know, we're really excited to continue to travel
over to Ireland to bring the Steelers brand.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
I feel like the next team months are going to
fly in and you mentioned the fans there, but I
feel as well when we've got our kidded league with
AFI and so many different things go on. How have
you seen the game of American football growing Ireland? Even
from that announcements with the Global Markets program in twenty
twenty fleets, it's got bigger and bigger, even in the
space for a couple of years.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah, every time we travel over, we hear more chatter
about American football. We see more terrible towels in Steelers
jerseys walking around Ireland. So we've certainly seen it from
that level. We've seen our listeners go up on this
great podcast that you host, and all of our followers
on our Steelers Irish channels, and you know, we know
that the Irish people like to tune into red Zone
(07:06):
in our games and love fantasy football, so all of
that continues to go up. And you know, the work
that the AFI has done to really grow the sport
from a grassroots level. They've been fantastic partners of ours
and in all of our camps, and the NFL has
done a fantastic job with the International Player Pathway program
and NFL Academy. You're you're seeing Irish athletes participate in
(07:29):
all these programs, and you know, some great athletes coming
from from the island, and they seem to have a
liking for American football.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
I don't recall a time where I've seen such an
excitement honestly, not just with the game, but just around
everyone else. So it's it's just an exciting time. Look,
what do you hope comes of this scheme in terms
of the status planet art and what would you like
the legacy to be in terms of the scheme coming
up this year.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Really continuing on what has already been established. We said
from the start, the Steelers want to be Ireland's NFL team,
and that's through you know, real real connection that's through
my families. You know, ties back back to the back
to the island. Everything my grandfather you know, has worked
on with Ireland. You know, we hope this game only
(08:13):
furthers our connection with the Irish people, and you know,
we're we're excited to get you know, Pittsburgh on on
the global map. This is big for our hometown of
Pittsburgh as well, to play a game internationally and put
a big spotlight on on our hometown, which we love
so much. So, you know, just continuing to further the
connection between Pittsburgh and Ireland, the Steelers in Ireland, in
the NFL and Ireland. The game is going to be
(08:36):
a great launching pad for that.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Yeah, the first time is twenty thirteen. It's it's just
really really cool to see what happened, especially for the
Steels and for the city of Pittsburgh as well. So
it's going to be a great few months. I guess. Finally,
it would be a missively not to say it. Don
you talk about your grandfather there and your family. You know,
we've seen through the years ninety seven the push to
hopefully get well and even offer out there. It came
to pass, and we know, I how the opportunity this
(08:58):
year really creating his tree. You almost be very very
proud of what you've achieved even to this point, because
it's it's a monumental achievement. And I think when we say,
you know, fank you for what has happened over the
last few months. But the excitement done is is just
something else.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Yep, the excitement is certainly bubbling up and we'll continue
to the closer we get to this game next season.
And I do know my grandfather would be proud of
the organization for taking this step and the fact that
the NFL opened this opportunity up where we're just thankful
and you know, can't can't wait to kick the kick
(09:32):
the ball off over there in Dublin.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
I have no doubt he'll be looking down smiling when
it happens. Thank you so much for your time, not
just today but also over the last couple of years.
Congratulations and we will chat to you very soon. Again. Done. Thanks.
It's great to hear from Don Rooney and what's not
just a fantastic day for the team, but surely you know,
an emotional day for the Rooney family and a fantastic
day of day that we really have been waiting a
(09:55):
long time to hear and see we're gonna hear from
stadium director and crok Park Peter mcckennon on what it
means to actually have this game in such an iconic
stadium like Croup Park. Peter, You're very welcome to the
R Shooters podcast on this historic there, Peter, this is
a landmark moment for Crook Park. You know, talk to
us around the planning that was involved and the work.
Did it actually talked for us to get to this stage.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Yeah, it's it's amazing, Michael. You know, our first I
suppose an application to the NFL was back in twenty twelve,
and I remember sending a guy over to New York
with our application to see we could be considered to be,
you know, part of their new international program. And now
you roll on, you know, fourteen years or so, and
(10:41):
now it's real, and it's just unbelievable. It's it's I
mean massive excitement that I mean, the the NFL is
without the biggest sport that there is, So it's it's
it's a huge it's a huge achievement and we're all
thrilled to be to be selected.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
You know, Peter, for you personally, you were on the
scene when this team played here in nineteen ninety seven,
and you're obviously not a key stakeholder in the venue
hosting the game this fall on a personal level. What
does this mean to you?
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Yeah, way back in ninety seven, I was working in
a publishing company, so I was involved in producing programs
and stuff for it with one of the national sponsors,
the Smartfet Group. So now to have it moved right
through and into sports, which has transformed since then, particularly
only in the domestic front, this is I mean, it's like,
(11:38):
I don't know how to describe it, like getting flying
erraws or something like that. So you know, We've I've hosted,
I've been in charge of fifty or our on finals
or more here and crow Parark International, soccer, international, rugby
six nations, some of the world's great concerts. You two, Coldplay,
Rolling Stones. But this is the big baby, This is
(12:01):
the This is when opera comes to town in its
great magnificence.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Obviously, Peter Today itself is going to be quite different
to a GA game. What can fans expect from Crewe
Parkler on this year?
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I think it's going to be a great mingling you have.
You know, American fans are going to come across and
they will be well used to you know, what is
a very very long day or day that's full of excitement,
you know of you know the tail party and Crowns
gathering and then go into the game and you know
all the the entertainment and they have food and drink
(12:33):
to go with that for the for the g a
fan for the Irish fan. More and more used to
like arriving, you know, half an hour before the whistle,
whistle goes and so on. So I think you're going
to get two cultures coming together. Certainly any of the
big fan bases here in Dublin. When when you sit
into a broad they get right into it. They know
(12:54):
exactly what where, and I think the number of I
was surprised when we in Munich. Every supporter where's their
team colors, even though their team may not be playing.
So it's a massive pageantry. It's almost like commodi grand
a sense.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
I mean, it is tremendous, Peter, it's a big, big day.
But can you tell us what it's been like to
work with both the NFL and the Stads to really
make history to have this first game on the island
of Ireland. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
The NFL have a really professional team in Henry Hodson
and Tom Kylie. Both men have really their attention to detail.
It's meticulous match deepually, I guess with with Dan Dan
Rooney and his team and it really strikes you and
everyone's very courteous and nice, but the focus on detailed,
(13:40):
detailed detail, it really is quite extraordinary. So I think
for my team it was a surprise that we thought
we were best in class. But I suppose every day
is a school day. We've learned a lot just in
the six months been working with the teams.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
And I'm led to believe Peter to Crewe Park operations
have visited a number of different outlets for the NFL,
including but also the NFL Munich game in November. How
impressed have you been with football operations for an NFL game?
On what key aspects have you taken to it? Here
to in Dublin.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
So, I think the the NFL really focuses on the
fan experience. So the fan comes very very early to
the stadium, so food, beverage, the whole entertainment, you know,
getting pictures, getting meet and great noise, music, pageantry, side
games that you know, people can try their experience, their
(14:32):
expertise and and and look foolish when they can only
throw a ball half half a distance and stuff. So
it's a it's a really really powerful day out. Again
in terms of I say from a stadium perspective, You're
you're looking at the attention to detail in terms of security,
be far tighter than we would normally be used to
(14:52):
in an Irish context. Magno trons and you know, searches
and stuff for people coming into the stadium, the focus
on fans safety, books on fan comfort and fan entertainment.
And then that the players are they really are treated
as top class athletes. So nothing is too too small
(15:12):
an ask or too big an ask to to to
be sorted. So it's it's a spectacular experience essent. You
understand that, Michael, It's like this great opera. And you know,
I think we're just so proud to have been selected.
You know, you think of all of the cities in
(15:33):
Europe that the NFL could have gone to, you know,
the big sporting history cities to be selected is I
mean that in itself is a huge win. Well, we've
got to do now is not let anybody down, not
least ourselves, and we won't do that.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Peter Cook Park is a world class venue for not
only sporting but other live events. It feels like this
is the start of a new year for the stadium.
How excited do you and the team to finally get
this over the line and begin a journey with NFL.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Well, I think it gives us a sense of like
we have we have arrived, you know, we've we have
hosted a lot of really important matches in an Irish
context and in the European context. It just puts us
on the world stage like I think only a cold
Player YouTube concert could do. But this is this is
the next level up again. So you know, I think
(16:22):
the American fan traveling and the two NFL teams, they're
going to get a reception that they will probably only
normally get in their hometown. I mean, Jonlin is is
sporting mad. You know, we follow every single sport with
a massive passion, so whether that's GA or soccer, rugby.
I mean every venue is filled out for the big game.
(16:44):
So I think there'll be a massive clamor for tickets.
I think this is going to be really successful and
I think, you know, we will be up there with
the other great cities in Europe to say yeah we
can host this and not really is it Dublin event
is going to be the whole country I think Ireland
is small, so everyone's going to get in behind this.
(17:06):
That's what makes it very unusual. That's why the Rider
Cup is in Limerick. It's going to be very very
special because you know we will all be pushing and
rooting for the for the Irish team there and the Steelers,
you know with them, the Rudy families in involvement and
you know the the late great Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rudey.
(17:28):
I mean they got an immediate homemade fan bise.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Peter. Look, the time is perfect obviously, the g SC's
and ends in July or August. The field will be
in great condition.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
The field will be immaculate. It's we're very proud. It's
one of the great services. In fact, meeting with the NFL,
you know, advanced team. They're very impressed with the fact
that we have our own tar farm, so you know
we can take in Tariff, which is closer to what
the NFL want in terms of their playing surface then
they get anywhere else in Europe. And I was we
(17:57):
scored very high marks on that too, Peter.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
This has been a great opportunity to speak to you
on a historic day. I really really appreciate the chance
to chat to you, and I know there's so many
Staters fans and NFL fans alike that will be listening
to this podcast. Thankful to hear what you've had to
say today. We'll chat to you very soon and we're
looking forward to getting down to the Crook Park at
some stage in the new season in the NFL. Foreign
history will be made when the Pittsburgh Staters play in
(18:21):
Crook Park. We'll chat to you soon.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Love to tell you that, Michael, take care.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
It has been an absolute honor to hear from both
guys after the brilliant news that the Pittsburgh Staters will
be the first ever designated home team to play in
Dublin for an NFL game. We can't wait for later
on this year, and I can tell you we're going
to have some great podcasts coming up to celebrate this
momentous milestone, not just for Irish American football fans, but
(18:45):
for the Pittsburgh Staters. Will chat to you soon. Thanks
for listening.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.