DUBLIN :From locals kicking field goals in the grand surroundings of Dublin Castle to travelling fans taking over some of the city's best known pubs, it was hard to escape the latest stop in the NFL's overseas push in the Irish capital on Friday.

The second of a record seven international NFL games this season will be contested in Dublin on Sunday, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings facing off in the first ever regular-season showdown held in Ireland.

Over 80,000 curious locals, American visitors and diehard Irish NFL fans are expected in the Gaelic sports home of Croke Park for Sunday's game with organisers hoping three days of fan events around the city can help grow its European fanbase.

"This being the first NFL game in Ireland, I'm not too surprised by it (the e

See Full Page