Navy vs Notre Dame in Ireland

Ambassador Dan Rooney and Taoiseach Enda Kenny perform the coin toss at Aviva Stadium, Dublin. September 1, 2012.

‘The Midshipmen’ of the U.S. Naval Academy met ‘The Fightin’ Irish’ of the University of Notre Dame in a gripping battle of American football at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, September 1.  As the longest running series in American football history, this annual contest is a favorite of supporters of both teams and this is the second time they have held the contest in Dublin.  (The teams met in Croke Park in 1996.) 

Pre-game excitement included the traditional Naval Academy ‘March On’ with hundreds of Midshipmen marching on to the field in formation and tipping their hats in unison.  An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney assisted with the coin toss at the start of the game and the Naval Academy Glee Club sang the national anthems. 

The game kicked off with a great cheer from the stands and the sun shone off the gold helmets of the Fightin’ Irish as they scored an early touchdown in the game.  Notre Dame’s offense led the way to a 50 – 10 victory over their opponents in a game that was broadcast around the world and watched live by a sold-out crowd of 50,000 American, Irish and international supporters. T

The afternoon was a wonderful display of college football and for those still unsure of the rules of the game, there was plenty to see throughout the game including a fabulous half-time show provided by the University of Notre Dame’s marching band playing classic Irish songs while creating the shape of a shamrock and the map of Ireland before unfurling a massive Irish flag on the field.