The Pittsburgh Steelers held on for a thrilling 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings as the NFL staged a historic game at Dublin’s Croke Park on Sunday.
The Steelers led 21-6 going into the final quarter before the Vikings claimed two touchdowns to set up a nail-biting finale in the first regular-season game to be held in Ireland.
But Pittsburgh ensured it was a triumphant homecoming for the team owners, the Rooney family, whose ancestors emigrated from the island of Ireland to Pennsylvania in the 1840s.
They have maintained close links to their Irish roots, bringing a pre-season game to Croke Park in 1997, and they were again the driving force behind the NFL’s return to the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
The Steelers were the designated home team and they enjoyed raucous support from the majority of the 74,512 crowd as they charged into a 14-6 lead at half-time.
Kenneth Gainwell ran in two touchdowns for Pittsburgh but the play of the day came from DK Metcalf, who took a pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers and produced a barnstorming run to force it in for an 80-yard touchdown.
Pittsburgh added a field goal early in the fourth quarter before two quickfire scores from Zavier Scott and Jalen Nailor meant the Steelers’ Irish fans and travelling supporters had to put the celebrations on hold.
More to follow.
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