Criticism of NFL game in Croke Park dismissed by Government minister - Irish Mirror

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

A Government minister has shot down opposition to the historic NFL clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings taking place at Croke Park on Sunday.Former Dublin footballer Michael Darragh MacAuley is among those who have expressed unease about the fixture going ahead at GAA HQ, with the All-Ireland winner claiming this week that the game is 'planting a flag of America in Ireland'.The Government's decision to pay the €10m requested by NFL chiefs for the first regular season game to be played in the capital has also come in for criticism."I think GAA people see the benefit of having income coming into the stadium," said Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue. "No more than with the Oasis concerts for example this summer as well, which were a great cultural occasion and which many people enjoyed.

"So I think it'll be of benefit to the GAA and to Croke Park in terms of actually being able to host what is a world class event. And we hope to see many similar types of events in the years ahead as well."Each event, whether it's this or whether it was the UEFA soccer event last year (Europa Cup final) or indeed the Ryder Cup in two years' time (at Adare Manor), we assess them very closely in terms of their benefit to the country."And in this instance, whereby the Government is contributing €10m towards it, the tax return will be €20m coming back. So it makes a lot of sense on a lot of fronts.

"What we're hosting here is a really significant sporting occasion, and we're delighted to be able to do that and look forward to it being a big success this weekend."

The Minister added: "The reality is it's a regular season American Football game, it's great to have it coming and to have so many people coming.

"Our focus this weekend is to make sure everybody feels at home and gets a warm welcome. We'll see the benefits of it in the years to come as well."I don't agree that there's any political aspect to this match, other than the fact that social and cultural ties can continue to be developed and renewed for the many people that are coming. We're hosting what should be a wonderful sporting occasion."