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The intense interest in the upcoming 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL game in Croke Park was brought up in Stormont this week by MLA Justin McNulty who proudly highlighted Steelers owners, the Rooney family's connection to Newry.
Speaking during Assembly business on Monday 10 February Mr McNulty said "On 28 September this year, the Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Packers at our GAA HQ, Croke Park. [The date and team haven't been officially confirmed] The excitement and anticipation surrounding that global sporting contest's taking place in Ireland will reach fever pitch.
"I met Dan Rooney and former quarterback Kordell Stewart in Newry with Feargal McCormack when the seeds were being sown for the fixture a number of years back. The Rooney family, who are from Derrybeg on the Armagh side of Newry, have had a positive connection with Ireland for many years. The late Dan Rooney was, of course, the US ambassador to Ireland and was a great friend of my predecessor, Séamus Mallon. Dan Jr and Art are now very actively involved in running the Steelers organisation, and it was heart-warming to hear Dan referring to Ireland as his family's motherland."
The Newry and Armagh MLA added "I want to pay tribute to a number of people who have made the event possible: the Rooney family; Feargal McCormack; the GAA, including the current president, Jarlath Burns, for having the vision; Charlie McConalogue, the Irish Minister for sport; and, most of all, Peter Quinn. A long time ago, Peter Quinn had the vision to build Croke Park and make it a global sporting stadium. What dividends we have reaped since that time. I say that with a degree of sadness, because it is an awful pity that there is nobody here with that leadership, ambition and vision for our stadia in this part of Ireland."
In a media statement making the announcement a Steelers representative explained "Steelers' President Art Rooney II and his family have a rich history and deep connection with the Island of Ireland, having family from Newry, County Down. The late Steelers Chairman Daniel M. Rooney, Art Rooney's father, served as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012 and was a co-founder of the Ireland Funds charity."
The Steelers are one of only two NFL teams to have played a game in Ireland to date, the only other team being their clash with the Chicago Bears at Croke Park in 1997 in a preseason matchup. The game this year will be the first ever regular season game here.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers to Croke Park,” said Jarlath Burns, GAA President. “This event will not only highlight our stadium's world-class facilities but also reinforce the connections and love of sport shared between our communities. Croke Park is a proud symbol of Ireland’s rich sporting heritage, and hosting one of the world’s best sporting organisations is a momentous occasion for the entire country. It will be a special and unique event, celebrating the passion uniting two great sporting codes in the heart of Dublin.”
