Michael McQuaid is co-host of the Irish Steelers Podcast. Listen to the podcast here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
As the island of Ireland is in the midst of its annual St Patrick's Day celebration, the Pittsburgh Steelers are fresh from a visit to the Emerald Isle.
Steelers Tight End Pat Freiermuth joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson for a trip to Ireland last week, as the team gets ready for the fall, with a historic first regular season game on the horizon in Dublin.
One of the biggest sporting events of the year in Ireland took place last weekend, when Ireland hosted France in the Aviva Stadium in rugby's Six Nations Championship. Pat Freiermuth had the chance to attend the game and meet Ronan Kelleher ahead of kickoff.
"The atmosphere was great - very competitive", Freiermuth told The Irish Steelers Podcast. "It was my first rugby game that I saw in person and it was so cool to see how the guys competed."
LISTEN TO THE IRISH STEELERS PODCAST: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Later in the week, Freiermuth met Hugo Keenan, who presented him with a jersey.
"It was super cool. I can't wait to frame it and hang it in the basement."
Freiermuth also presented a Steelers jersey to American Football Ireland, at the UCD Sports Campus, as the reigning Irish champions welcomed the Belfast Knights to County Dublin.
Outside of Freiermuth's trip to the Aviva Stadium, Woodson had the chance to learn both Gaelic football and hurling at the Sport Ireland Campus, where he was joined by multiple All Star and former TG4 Senior Player's Player of the Year, Armagh's Aimee Mackin. Woodson was also joined by Wexford hurler Lee Chin, where he had the chance to gain an insight into both codes of Ireland's sport.
On Wednesday, the Steelers held an NFL FLAG clinic on the field at Croke Park, where they will play later in the year. More than 50 young players aged between the ages of 10-12 had the chance to showcase Flag Football skills.
Along with Freiermuth and Woodson, in attendance on the day was Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (President of the GAA) Jarlath Burns, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Patrick O'Donovan, General Manager NFL UK & Ireland, Henry Hodgson and Director of Business Development and Strategy for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dan Rooney.
Woodson was delighted to see the growth of the game in Ireland and the new initiative with Flag football. "It's great to see what the Steelers have done", he said.
"For me, It's great to see the growth of the sport - and what I love about flag football, girls can play, boys can play. It's going to be an Olympic sport and for the young kids, they're learning how to play the game at a baseline, at the grassroots level."
"Hopefully, they can keep playing as they get older."
It's fair to say that this Saint Patrick's Day, the atmosphere is at fever pitch for the historic first regular season game in Ireland, which takes place later this year - with the Steelers as the designated team.
Woodson was blown away by Croke Park.
"I love the stadium", he said. "I love how much field space you have, as in NFL stadiums, the field space is smaller and then the stadium is right on top of you, but Croke Park is kind of spread out a little bit."
"I love the area. I love the way it is."
For Freiermuth, it is a matter of months until he will return to Dublin - and it's fair to say that he is looking forward to it.
"Man, the stadium is so big."
"The field is massive and it's going to be great to see it all packed out."
"It's going to be loud - it's going to be awesome".
It will be the fall before you know it.
For now, Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit.
