American football in Ireland hits new targets

Last month, the NFL announced that an official 2025 regular session game would be hosted in Croke Park for the first time, making it a historic occasion for Irish NFL fans. 

Only one team has been confirmed in this fixture so far, and it is no surprise it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers – the historic Pennsylvania team has long-standing connections to Ireland. 

Art Rooney II, is the current president of the Steelers and the son of the US ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012. The family’s connections in Newry, County Down, have been fuelling their involvement with the growth of American football in Ireland. 

There are currently 28 American football teams in Ireland, a mix of full-contact and flag teams. Starting player for the UCD American Football Team, Fionn Meates feels that the game is picking up like “wildfire” in Ireland. 

“There was always an interest, but the popularity has grown in the last few years. It’s now the norm for a college in Ireland, especially Dublin, to have an American Football team, whether it’s a flag football team or not,” said Meates.

The Dubliner was also involved in the Irish Wolfhounds U19 squad in 2024. “It’s mental to think that a sport I picked up in college got me this experience. You’d be surprised how professional the set-up is,” said Meates.

Flag football is the non-contact version of the sport and is seen as the easier alternative to setting up a fully padded, 53-man squad. Trinity Flag Football player Adam Finally said, “It’s the best way to get the sport off the ground here, we can get involved in the sport without the cost of pads and equipment.”

The NFL’s official youth flag football programme, NFL Flag, was launched in Ireland in 2024 in partnership with American Football Ireland. 

Although active playing numbers are low, the NFL says there has been an increase in Irish NFL followers, estimating that 350,000 Irish people followed or watched the sport regularly in 2024. 

Jimmy English of the Gaelic Gridiron website and podcast says the increase in popularity can be traced to the current involvement of Irish players in the US. 

“The biggest factor is Irish players going over and having success in getting signed by NFL teams. There was a huge flurry of media activity here when Charlie Smyth got a contract with the Saints last year, and it’s making it more common for former GAA or rugby players to go play American football,” said English.

Last year, former GAA player Smyth famously made the move as a kicker and earned himself a spot on the New Orleans Saints practice squad. Smyth and others have entered the NFL combine for kicking through the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme (IPP). 

Last week, the IPP announced that two Irish-born players will join the IPP class of 2025. Ross Bolger, who has recently played at Idaho State University, and Ballyboden GAA club star Mark McNamee will join the programme, both as kickers.

The NFL’s investment in programmes like these allows them to cast their net wider in finding talent and creating global connections. Rugby and GAA seem to be a production line for NFL talent that English feels says is still relatively “untouched”.

“When the NFL sees the response they get, I think they’ll be planning a few more games here. But there’s also the economic boost the country will get from all of the fans travelling over. 

“This game will really put Ireland on the map in terms of the NFL internationally. It will also definitely convert a lot of non-followers,” said English.