This weekend marks the beginning of the NCAA College Bowl season across the United States. The next 3 and half weeks will see thousands of players, coaches, fans and students zig-zag their way across America in the hope of securing some end of season silverware for their college campus.
The NCAA Bowl season is the reward for a select few teams after a gruelling 15 or 16 week football schedule. The festival of football kicks off today in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, North Carolina and finishes at the NRG Stadium Houston, when one of Alabama, Michigan, Texas or Washington will be crowned as National Champions.
The regular college football season came to a close last weekend in Foxborough, Massachusetts as Army secured a dramatic 17 – 11 win over Navy at the home of the New England Patriots. The Navy Midshipmen were also involved in the season opener in a truly memorable weekend in Dublin at the end of August when the Irish came home under the banner of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Dublin and Ireland opened its doors to welcome the biggest migration of sports fans from the USA ever recorded. From South Bend, California, New York, Belfast, Glasgow and many, many more the spectacle of a home match for Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Aviva stadium in Dublin was an event not to be missed.
Almost a week long book of events including an open air mass celebrated at Dublin Castle and a tailgate party on Notre Dame street, culminated in the Fighting Irish romping to victory and winning the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. This was more than a game, this was an opportunity for Ireland to firmly pitch itself as a home from home for College Football.
Next August Dublin will once again roll out the red carpet for the college football elite as Georgia Tech take on the Florida State Seminoles. This time the added spectacle of ESPNs flagship show College Game Day will be broadcast from the Irish capital.
As the appetite for Americas Game continues to grow on this side of the pond, the NFL announced another expansion to their International series matchup recently. This announcement coupled with Pittsburgh Steelers marketing rights award in Ireland will only whet the appetite even further.
The success of the Notre Dame trip to Ireland, both in terms of income and interest generated will be a significant bargaining tool for the Irish government, tourist board and business partners to raise the question about another game, or dare I say it, an end of season bowl match up. Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but hopefully not out of the question.
Either way, the Georgia and Florida match is another 9 months away. In the meantime we can all enjoy the pride and passion of the college bowl season as well as the climax of yet another absorbing NFL regular season.
