Georgia Tech returns to Ireland for Football Opener 2024
georgia tech‘s football team will return Ireland for next year’s football kick-off in a competition that Atlanta Boosters will likely use the town again to showcase the town to Irish investors.
On August 24, 2024, the Yellow Jackets will face off Florida State University In Dublinwhere they defeated Boston College 2016 with a last minute touchdown at their first football game abroad, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
A delegation from Atlanta took advantage of the PR boost with local companies freshwater brewing To Equifax use the game as an opportunity to raise their profile in the Irish market.
The announcement came through two days before St. Patrick’s Day during a visit to Atlanta Darragh O’Brienthe Irish Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
At a press conference, Mr O’Brien said they still remembered Georgia Tech’s dramatic victory in seven years and next year’s game in Dublin Aviva Stadion – normally used for football and rugby – would likely bring another sell-out crowd of over 40,000 spectators.
More than 1.2 million people watched the game in 2016, and organizers expect that number to dwarf 4 million in 2024.
“I know this announcement will be met with great enthusiasm in Ireland and will be greatly welcomed by the people,” said Mr O’Brien, who was on an extensive tour of Georgia this week, meeting with businesses, heritage groups and government officials .
Graduated from Georgia Tech and Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickenssaid Mr O’Brien, delighted as the Minister whispered the news of the football match ahead of the unveiling.
“Sport goes beyond a lot of things and sport brings people together and there is a real interest in American football in Ireland,” said Mr O’Brien.
Look no further than Georgia Tech for an example: punter David Shanahan hails from Ireland and was among the members of the tech team who smiled as a video revealed they would be crossing the pond next year.
John Antonthe founder of Irish American Events Ltd. and the Aer Lingus Classic, said the competition is “much more than a game” but also a chance for young men to gain global exposure.
“Our history tells us that about 75 per cent of players are currently out of passports, so it’s really meaningful and impactful to know that this will be the first international experience these student athletes will ever have,” Mr Anthony said.
If history is any guide, ticket holders will come from 20 countries and some 20,000 people will make the journey across the Atlantic, deepening ties between the US and Ireland.
The teams will compete for the Keough Naughton Trophy, named after the late Irish-American Coke executive Don Keough And Martin Naughtonan Irish billionaire who made his fortune from electronics.
