Irish eyes were smiling on Friday as the Pittsburgh Steelers were announced as the designated team for the first ever NFL regular season game in Dublin, Ireland - with the game to be played later this year in the iconic Croke Park stadium.
For so many fans across the island of Ireland, but for Steelers Nation with or without Irish roots across the world, this was a historic moment.
I am currently in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX and the interest here alone from the world's media has been palpable - there hasn't been a spare minute since the announcement was made.
For this special piece, I wanted to contact Steelers fans across the island of Ireland to have a feel for just how special this announcement is – and what it means to Steelers Nation on the emerald isle.
Firstly, I contacted Mickey Brady, a lifelong fan from Newry, County Down - the ancestral home of the Steelers.
It's fair to say that the Mourne man is looking forward to later in the year.
"It's hard to put into words how proud I am to be an Irish Steelers fan since hearing this news", he said.
LISTEN TO THE IRISH STEELERS PODCAST: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
"To think that my team will be playing in our national stadium in Croke Park is beyond special. The thought of watching the Steelers run out onto the hallowed turf in Croker and then hearing Renegade blasting, with green Terrible Towels twirling has me ready to run though a brick wall with excitement."
In the Irish capital of Dublin, it's fair to say that fans are ready for Tomlin's men to enter the city in the fall. I had the chance to speak with lifelong Steelers fans Tom McComack, Emmet Ryan and Adam Byrne about the historic news.
For McCormack, this has been a long time coming. He has been a fan of the Steelers for over fifty years.
"The late, great Dan M. Rooney called Croke Park hallowed ground - so it was fitting to see the stadium named as the venue for the first game", he said.
"I have no doubt that Dan would be smiling down on us this week. To be honest, I had a huge lump in my throat when I heard the game confirmation, as I was privileged to work with Dan and Tony O'Reilly on the growth and development of The Ireland Funds."
"It was a day that meant so much to so many."
For Ryan, his connection with the team is coupled with memories of his parents down through the years.
"Through all the ups and downs, my parents didn't get my infatuation with the Steelers", he said.
"They understood the love and I would get the call from Ma the next morning asking 'Did your team win?' after big Steelers games."
"Now, I get to tell her that my team just found their way to Dublin."
For Adam Byrne, the Steelers 1997 preseason game lives long in the memory.
"I still remember when I was walking down Jones' Road as an eleven year old to a hige spectacle that was taking place in Croke Park", he said.
"The Steelers were in town and everyone was excited. My dad and brother loved the NFL and that had me involved that day. That date was the first day I started following the Pittsburgh Steelers."
"What the Steelers have shown since and put in to help promote the NFL in recent years with their watch parties and kicking clinics shows the investment and dedication they have to the fans here - I cannot wait to walk down Jones' Road again."
Outside of the capital, there is also excitement. Patrick lives in County Clare and realises how much this game will change the landscape of the game on the island of Ireland.
"The game itself will be massive for Ireland and football in general", he said.
"Having your own team playing will be a total game changer - especially with it being in Croke Park".
In Clonmel, County Tipperary, Peter Cahill is ready for the return of the Steelers to Ireland.
"I've always wanted to go to see the Steelers in Pittsburgh, but I am not a good flyer", he said.
"Having our team come to play a regular season game in Ireland is a dream come true. It's something that I had always wished would happen - but it never occurred, until now."
"I cannot wait to set foot in Croke Park."
At the bottom of the island, the excitement still runs deep. Thomas O'Mahony is a Steelers fan in Waterford.
"Firstly, as an NFL fan - I am just delighted", he said.
"I know that the event will be a huge day for the team, and hopefully the first of many such games going forward."
You can see just how much this news means to Steelers fans across the island of Ireland.
Quite simply, it means more.
Roll on Croker.
LISTEN TO THE IRISH STEELERS PODCAST: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
