Pittsburgh Steelers owner named US ambassador to Ireland

THE man who led the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers football team to an historic sixth Superbowl title has been named US ambassador to Ireland.

Irish-American businessman Dan Rooney, 76, will succeed Thomas C Foley, who recently returned to the US.

Mr Rooney, owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has strong Irish connections — his grandparents are from Newry, Co Down, and he co-founded the Ireland Funds charity with Anthony O’Reilly 33 years ago. It has raised more than $300 million (e230m) for charities in Ireland.