No sooner had the NFL circus packed up its tent and rolled out of town on Sunday than thoughts turned to whether the sporting spectacle would be returning to Dublin.
The Pittsburgh Steelers held off a fourth-quarter comeback attempt from the Minnesota Vikings to secure a 24-21 victory in the first regular-season game held in Ireland.
Had Kevin O’Connell’s men come from 24-6 behind with 11 minutes and 21 seconds remaining, it would have been a turnaround no Vikings fan would have forgotten in a hurry.
But, even before they were turned over on downs to end the game, it already felt an occasion to remember for the 74,512 in attendance.
For the Steelers organisation, the game was the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
Returning to Croke Park 28 years after they defeated the Chicago Bears in a pre-season fixture, a repeated theme through the week was what it all would have meant to the side’s late owner Dan M Rooney, whose ancestors hailed from Newry in County Down.
It remains to be seen whether Sunday’s fixture was a fitting way to honour one of the NFL’s first families, or the start of a regular spot in the International Series rotation.
Dublin was the fourth European city to stage such a fixture following on from London, Munich and Frankfurt. Berlin and Madrid will join that list next month.
Games have also been taken to Brazil and Mexico with another set for Australia next year. Asia could be next.
What was once America’s game is now clearly global in scope but, with such competition to play hosts, can the Emerald Isle expect a swift return?
There is certainly one prominent supporter in their corner.
“100%,” said the Steelers four-time Most Valuable Players quarterback Aaron Rodgers when asked by BBC Sport NI if Dublin deserved more games in the future.
“The whole experience was fantastic. Shout-out to the country and everybody who made this happen. Win or lose, I would have said the same thing.
“I just felt like the reception from the people here was outstanding.”
