Game Day in Dublin: The Aer Lingus College Football Classic

Our journey to Ireland and Scotland was centered around the game. Our alma mater, Florida State University, was competing against Georgia Tech at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for the season's opening match (Week Zero).

The game was set for a Saturday, and we got to the city by Thursday. From the airport to Temple Bar, signs and banners about the game and the two teams were visible everywhere. Over 25,000 people from the United States traveled to Dublin, with the majority being FSU fans. These visitors from the US stayed in Ireland for an average of seven nights, making a substantial contribution to the local economy.

The celebrations kicked off on Friday afternoon with a Pep Rally at Smithfield Square, temporarily renamed 'Seminoles Square.' Despite the rain, our band, the Marching Chiefs, continued to play without pause. Dublin's Lord Mayor, James Geoghegan, greeted FSU fans who had come from all over the world.

The game was set for 5:00 pm (Irish Standard Time). That morning, we initially walked to ESPN College Game Day, which was broadcasting live from College Green near Trinity College. Arriving early, we managed to pick up some great memorabilia. 

We took a taxi to our Tailgate Party, which was hosted at the RDS Arena near the stadium. This arena is renowned for annually hosting the Dublin Horse Show. We bought FSU hospitality packages for the game, which included the tailgate party that left a lasting impression. Upon arrival, FSU Cheerleaders greeted us outside, offering photo opportunities. The interior hall was beautifully adorned, with ample seating for everyone. Everything was provided, including beer, wine, whiskey, and a variety of food trucks outside the hall serving burgers, BBQ, Mexican, Indian cuisine, and more. The entertainment was fantastic, featuring live music with traditional Irish dancers. We particularly appreciated the glass sculptor from Waterford, who crafted two trophies for the game: the Keough-Naughton College Memorial Football Trophy and the Coach’s Award. 

After nearly three hours of celebrations, we made our way to the stadium after the RDS staff gave us some memorabilia. It took us about thirty minutes to find our seats. The Aviva Stadium boasts a contemporary design and is primarily used for soccer, rugby, concerts, and conferences. It can accommodate 48,000 people for American football events. We enjoyed ourselves immensely until the fourth quarter when Georgia Tech clinched the game with a 44-yard field goal as the clock ran out.

That wasn't the ending we expected, but we had such a great time that it didn't matter much. We had an incredible day and thoroughly enjoyed watching our FSU Seminoles play in another country.