History was made on Sunday as Croke Park hosted its first-ever NFL regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings.

It was the NFL’s first foray to Ireland as America’s game expands its global footprint. There was big build-up across the country all week, though it wasn’t without incident as a Steelers player was mugged on Saturday in Dublin.

It was a pretty eventful first half with Jalen Ramsey hitting the griddy after returning a fumble for a touchdown for Pittsburgh, only for the touchdown to be brought back.

The Vikings scored the game’s first points with a field goal, and the Steelers replied with a 1 yard touchdown run from Kenny Gainwell. DK Metcalf would catch an Aaron Rodgers pass and run it 80 yards for a touchdown in the most electric play of the game. The halftime score was 14-6. The Steelers controlled the third quarter but a late Vikings comeback made the score 24-21.

It was technically a home game for the Steelers and there was a huge display of Black and Gold fandom at GAA HQ.

There were also a tonne of well-known people, both Irish and American, in attendance.

Here’s some of them.

Bill Murray

The iconic American actor continued his month-long Irish tour with a visit to GAA HQ on Sunday. Murray was interviewed by multiple media outlets, including pitchside by Tommy Martin for Virgin Media Sport.

Paudie Clifford and Stephanie Zambra

28 September 2025; Kerry gaelic footballer Paudie Clifford and Shamrock Rovers women’s head coach Stephanie Zambra during the 2025 NFL International Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The Kerry great is probably the most famous Irish Steelers fans. He was joined by Ireland WNT great Stephanie Zambra near Hill 16 as the Steelers came out onto the pitch.

Bundee Aki, Katie McCabe and Hannah Tyrell

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Aki, McCabe and Tyrell were all introduced to the Croke Park faithful for the coin toss. Some were surprised there was no male GAA brought out for the coin toss.


Jason Kelce

The retired Philadelphia Eagles legend and New Heights co-host had an eventful trip in Ireland this week. He was pitchside – pint in hand – in an Ireland rugby jersey and met Bill Murray as well.

28 September 2025; Jason Kelce during the 2025 NFL International Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Roger Goodell

The NFL commissioner – who earns nearly $64 million per annum – was in Dublin all weekend. He met Jarlath Burns and Micheal Martin before the game.

28 September 2025; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, Pittsburgh Steelers vice president Arthur J Rooney Jr, centre, and Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns before the 2025 NFL International Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose

Goodell watched the game beside Ireland captain Caelan Doris, Aki and Garry Ringrose.

Joe Davis: “I just happened upon a rugby game (in Ireland). My jaw dropped watching these dudes pummel each other…”

Greg Olsen: “Why don’t you tell everybody what they told you they refer to American football as?”

Davis: “I don’t think I can use that word.” #NFL pic.twitter.com/12K6UE7i5O

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 28, 2025

Damien Duff

The former Shels manager was spotted in the NFL Shop near Stephen’s Green on Saturday and he had loads of complementary things to say about the NFL when speaking to Virgin Media at the game.

“There’s amazing energy, not only in Croker but around the city today”

Damien Duff chats to @BernardOToole at today’s game pic.twitter.com/IgWZeqNn0R

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 28, 2025

Alex Dunne

Offaly’s F2 phenom shared a photo from his insta story feed from the lower Hogan Stand.


Sharlene Mawdsley and Mikey Breen 

The Tipp sporting power couple Sharlene Mawdsley and Mikey Breen both shared sideline content on their instagram stories, while Cork great Patrick Horgan and Dublin All-Star nominee Ciaran Kilkenny also shared content from their instagram feeds.

 

SEE ALSO: Opinion: Why We Should Be Questioning The GAA Hosting An NFL Game