Got the early morning train up. I'd say it was about 90% full with men aged between 30 and 50 talking about fantasy football wearing box fresh NFL merch. Mostly Steelers, Some Vikings a few hipsters with throwback Pats or Eagles gear. It was a lovely crisp still day weather wise only spoiled by the dude burning his rubbish in the yard up around Portlaois. Not a breath of wins to shift the smog settling for miles around twas a real 80s throwback.
Landed into Heuston and strolled up benburb street along the Luas line rather than deal with the great unwashed. In fairness the Dublin city council or board Failte put on a great show above. The whole city was geared up for it. Colours, Murals, Signs everywhere. Events like matches can get lost in places like London but there was no escaping it in Dublin yesterday. It made for a nice atmosphere.
Got breakfast and a pint and had a few pints along the way..landed into CP just as they were singing the anthems. Pubs were busy and people were drinking but other then some diddly eye shite there wasn't much music or whatever for fans, I'd say the pubs didn't know how to play it, but I mean that positively everywhere was busy with people talking to each other and enjoying themselves over a few Sunday morning pints. it was like everyone was cheating on life.
The Match itself was great craic. Way better than expected. The lulls between plays are short not much different to rugby when they get into kicking tennis or there is a knock on and the whole thing keeps moving forward. The music and PA stuff enhanced matters and were all part of the show.
We were in the upper Cusack kind of on the 45 so maybe the 30 yard line yesterday. Great place to watch formations and see how hard they hit and how fast they run. DK Matcalf's score was sensational and Justin Jefferson was electric, they just had him in double coverage so Nailor and Addison made hay while JJ was unlucky with a few slips.
The crowd I would say were 1/3 yanks, 1/3 German, 1/3 Irish. 74,900 was what they told us but the Nally was empty and there were definetly empty seats in the Hill.
Crowd were very into it. Atmosphere was great not manufactured even though there was a lot of "Get Loud" shit from the MC. The terrible towel is a nifty little fan tradition and a good spectacle.
Vikes fans came alive when it looked like Wentz was going to pull off the great escape in the 4th Quarter.
The game is set up To be exciting and it really was. TJ Watt pulling off the pick made the place erupt. The Steelers D were.hitting Wentz all day. He seemed like a fella who was a bit punch drunk by the end, that intentional grounding call really killed it.
Bit of grub and a few more pints..Home by midnight. happy out.
Would definetly recommend but pick your match. Yesterday was really enhanced by 2 teams with star players in a close game. Watching some 30 point blowout of the jags would be shit enough.
Really glad I went but will leave it off a few years now.
