For the uninitiated, it might have felt like there was an All-Ireland final on this weekend in Dublin.
However, if you took a closer look at the signs and banners you will quickly realise that American College Football has descended on the capital city.
The Georgia Tech Yellowjackets and Florida State Seminoles officially kicked off the season as they did battle at the Aviva Stadium.
It was a special day for Georgia's Tech punter David Shanahan, who played his first game in his home country.
The Kerryman played for his county at under-17 level, winning the Munster Championship in 2017.
In 2019, he decided to join the ProKick Australia kicking Academy, which has produced a number of NFL kickers and punters through the years.
Irish connection
He joined the Yellowjackets back in 2021 and has enjoyed three successful years with the team from Georgia.
The game was a sell-out again this year with thousands of Americans making the trip across the Atlantic to support their teams.
With kick-off at 5pm, there was plenty of time for fans to soak up the atmosphere as Dame Street came to a standstill for ESPN's kick-off show College Gameday.
For the first time, it was broadcast from outside the US as fans gathered near Parliament House to cheer on their own team and boo anytime any other team was mentioned.
While things were certainly loud and rowdy, there was a family-friendly feel as multiple generations of college football fans were able to soak up the atmosphere.
While rain was forecast, it managed to stay dry for most of the day, meaning fans did not have to worry about getting out the ponchos.
For many, it was their first time outside the US, so they might get the false impression that Ireland is a generally dry country.
Local economy
The pre-match festivities were clearly a boon for Dublin city as last year's game generated around €180 million for the local economy.
It is expected to generate close to that figure again this year and, judging by the number of people wandering in and out of shops, it was a much-needed boost in the arms for local retailers.
Dublin is a city that has been struggling with an image problem in recent years, with many feeling unsafe walking around certain parts of the city.
The riots last year did nothing to quell these fears, but it is clear when push comes to shove Dublin can host a big event of this magnitude.
That is especially when the scale of the operation is this big. Both teams have up to 100 players on their roster with offence, defence and special teams.
Then there are the coaches, backroom and admin staff along with the marching band who have over 100 members as well. Hosting a game of this size is no mean feat.
As the fans began to head towards the Aviva, the streets were lined with merchants selling various hats and scarfs to remember the occasion by.
When the game eventually kicked off, the noise was so deafening it felt more like a rock concert than a football game, such were the decibel levels.
Standing pitchside before the game, you got a real sense of the size of the players and physicality. Even during the warm-ups, the intensity was apparent.
— Kenneth Fox (@kennyboyfox92) August 24, 2024
As for the game itself, despite being the home team for the day, Georgia Tech came in as the underdogs. They finished with a record of 7-6 last year, while the Seminoles finished with an almost unblemished record of 13-1.
The Seminoles started off strong, scoring a touchdown with a 28-yard run after just four minutes, but the Yellowjackets hit back with a touchdown of their own four minutes later.
Compared to the blowouts we have seen in previous years (Notre Dame beat Navy 42-3 last year), it was intriguing to see such a defensive tussle.
The Yellow Jackets are ahead as we enter the 4th quarter at the @AVIVAStadium! 🏟️@GeorgiaTechFB and @FSUFootball are giving us a thrilling game at the 2024 @AerLingus College Football Classic. 🔥#MuchMoreThanAGame | #TouchdownDublin pic.twitter.com/nxgaWt63Zm
— Aer Lingus College Football Classic (@cfbireland) August 24, 2024
In a game as tight as this, a missed field goal or drop pass would make the difference.
Both teams traded field goals in the second and third quarters, with neither team able to land the killing blow.
That was until the start of the fourth quarter, when Georgia Tech's running Jamal Haynes went over from two yards to make it 21-14.
However, that was not all she wrote as, with 6 minutes left, Roydell Williams got a touchdown of his own for the Seminoles, tying the game at 21-21, with minutes to go.
Then, with seconds on the clock, up stepped Aidan Birr to slot home a game-winning field goal to send the Georgia Tech faithful into raptures.
As the sun set on Dublin city, it was clear this is a game neither team will forget for a long time.
Wow a game winning field goal for @GeorgiaTech what an ending!!! pic.twitter.com/NudsH1zmZO
— Kenneth Fox (@kennyboyfox92) August 24, 2024
