Croke Park opens its doors to Pittsburgh Steelers nation

It's 40 years since the NFL first appeared on our screens via RTÉ and Channel 4, but this felt like a new departure for the sport on these shores.

STEELING A MARCH IN IRELAND: Alan Faneca at the Pittsburgh Steelers watch party in Croke Park. PICTURE: Pittsburgh Steelers

Santonio Holmes is resting his head on a hand partially obscured by the outsized bling wedged onto his ring finger. He is digesting the question as to why anyone new to the NFL should plump for the Pittsburgh Steelers as their team of choice.

It was Holmes who caught one of the most famous passes in league history when he evaded triple coverage in the Arizona Cardinals end zone to claim a six-yard Ben Roethlisberger throw with 36 seconds to play - and the Vince Lombardi Trophy with it.