The exciting Croke Park Classic is the first in a series of American College Football games for Dublin, whereby teams will compete for the coveted Dan Rooney Trophy, named after the former US Ambassador to Ireland and Chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The trophy is made of bog yew, the remains of forests which grew 4,200 years ago in the Irish midlands as well as Pittsburgh steel.
Playing their first game outside of the United States, University of Central Florida (UCF) host Penn State in their Season Opener in the Croke Park GAA Headquarters in Dublin on Saturday the 30th August 2013. Supported by Corporate.ie event management company Dublin, the game is certainly shaping up to be a great battle of these two giants of American College Football. 2013 was a busy year for both teams with UCF completing the most successful season in their history and winning the American Athletics conference outright and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Penn State also welcomed new head coach James Franklin in early 2014 following Bill O’Brien’s departure to the NFL Houston Texans.
Shaping up to be a great battle of two giants, the exciting Croke Park Classic game between UCF and Penn State takes place Saturday the 30th August.
Outside of GAA games, the event is set to be the biggest sporting event of the year and the city is also set to host a series of citywide events and activities including the Pep Rallies, Tailgate Party and much more. A range of pre and post match festivities are also set to take place in bars and restaurants in Dublin and the world famous Irish Dance phenomenon Riverdance is also set to host a free Céili at the CHQ building on from 10:30am until 12 noon on the North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 on Sunday the 31st August.
The tourist haven of Temple Bar is also set to become a Croke Park Classic fanzone over the weekend from Thursday August 28th to Sunday August 31st providing fans and locals with an area to mix and mingle and get behind their chosen teams. Croke Park Stadium, which holds 82,300 people will be transformed for the American Football spectacle.
It is expected that thousands of tourists from the United States, the UK and Europe are set to make a trip to Ireland over the coming days to flock to watch these two colleges face off in the first game of the season. Dublin bus are also set to provide a shuttle bus service from Temple Bar to Croke Park to take fans from the tailgate to the game.
This event is proudly supported by corporate.ie and the Mansion House, the ultimate Dublin city centre events conference venue Dublin has to offer. For meeting rooms in Dublin, the Conference and Events Centre at the Mansion House boasts an excellent Dublin city centre location, soaring ceilings of 19th century and stained glass windows overlooking the Lord Mayor’s Garden. If you are hosting or looking for ideas for a Dublin Stag, you will be spoilt for choice in Dublin this weekend!