Pittsburgh Steelers share vision to play NFL games at Croke Park

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long-term vision to play an NFL game on Irish soil, with a fixture at Croke Park an ambition openly held by the American franchise.

The Steelers played the Chicago Bears in a pre-season match at the GAA headquarters back in the summer of 1997.

That contest remains the only NFL clash ever to be played in this country, albeit college football games have been played here since the late 80s. Indeed, tickets for August's College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy have already sold out.

The NFL may follow suit in the next few years after the Steelers had a successful bid to gain the NFL marketing rights for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland through the NFL's Global Markets Program, which grants clubs access to international markets for commercialisation activations in an effort to build the game's brand. The Jacksonville Jaguars have also been granted rights in the Republic of Ireland.

The Steelers Director of Business Development and Strategy Daniel Rooney - grandson of Dan, the late Steelers owner and US ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012 - told RTÉ Sport that they have big plans to bring pro football to these shores.

"The NFL has a global markets programme that opened up two years, allowing NFL teams to break into international markets," said Rooney.

"The Steelers first applied to Mexico a year ago. When the opportunity came up for Ireland, north and south, the entire island, we thought it was a no-brainer. We now have the opportunity to grow our brand in this country, engage with the fans, bring our events here, and some commercial opportunities as well. We're very excited."

"We now have the opportunity to grow our brand in Ireland' - Daniel Rooney,