Vikings stars keen for regular Croker game

The concept of a regular season NFL game coming to Ireland has been given the thumbs up by three Minnesota Vikings stars who attended a Sky Roadshow event at Croke Park this week.

Kyle Rudolph, Harrison Smith and John Sullivan were the main attractions with Rudolph fresh off an MVP performance in the annual Pro Bowl in Hawaii earlier this year.

“I would certainly think [it’s possible], as long as you could fill the stadium,” said Sullivan, whose performances at centre were pivotal in allowing running back Adrian Petersen rush for 2,000 yards last season.

“Based on what we are seeing here, with the reaction we have got talking at this Roadshow, people are obviously excited for NFL players to come visit here in Dublin and the UK as well.

Talk of a professional American football in Dublin has been a regular occurrence in recent years with Dan Rooney, chairman and co-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the most high-profile advocate.

A former US Ambassador to Ireland, Rooney’s leanings were given added weight last year with the success of the Navy-Notre Dame college game at the Aviva which all three Vikings watched with considerable interest.

Rudolph, Smith and Sullivan are all ‘Irish’ alumni.

“It was very well-publicised in the US,” said Smith, “the ‘Irish’ going to Ireland. All three of us went to Notre Dame as well so it was something we really wish we could have done.”