NOISE IN GREEN

NFL in GAA HQ is loud, proud and they 'will be back

- BY KARL O'KANE

AMERICA Inc was on full show at Croke Park as the first ever NFL game was staged in Dublin.

At times, it was easy to forget there was a game but the taking place entire event itself was one hell of a show.

It wasn't quite a 76,000 sellout with Croke Park's capacity reduced from 82,000 - with a 74,521 attendance, but that didn't matter one iota, with TV where it's at.

During one break in the game in the second quarter a random punter kicked three short range field goals in a row in his loafers to win eight grand.

Then, out of nowhere, a céilí band suddenly burst into life from a podium in the shadow of a seated Hill 16.

No sooner had they stopped, than DK Metcalf scored an 80 yard touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers off an Aaron Rodgers pass.

Next up were the 'Pop Tarts, Love Hearts, where a camera scanned Croke Park, picking out couples on the big screens to check out their level of affection when 75,000 people are watching.

The only surprising thing was they didn't win a toaster and packet of Pop Tarts.

This was all in the space of two relentless minutes. Soon afterwards, Myles Smith was out for the half-time show.

It's no secret that the Americans know how to put on a show, but the NFL is in a different league.

The sensory onslaught continued. Soon enough there were kids shooting free gear into the crowd. A countdown clock for the start of the game.