Pittsburgh Review

The Steelers made a bit of history on Saturday by returning to the ancestral homeland of the Rooney family, Newry, County Down. They held a youth American Flag Football clinic at Páirc Esler in association with American Football Ireland. Approximately 60 young male and female GAA players participated in this first-ever clinic in Newry. Steelers legends Willie Parker and James Farrior assisted during the event.

Numerous members of Down GAA joined the Steelers, including Pat Havern from the Senior Football Team, Caolan Taggart from the Senior Hurling Team, Meghan Doherty from the Senior Ladies Football Team, and Dearbhla Magee from the Senior Camogie Team. The Tailteann Cup, which is Down's first senior men's trophy since the 1990s, was presented to both Parker and Farrior.

For Willie Parker, visiting Ireland for the first time was an exciting opportunity. "It's my first time in Ireland and I'm having a blast," he said. "There are some great people out here. I've had the chance to stroll around Dublin and check out the sights and sounds and I love it."

Charlie Smyth from Mayobridge, who recently signed with the New Orleans Saints, is highly regarded by young athletes attending the clinic. His signing with an NFL team just five miles from Newry has motivated many participants.

Parker expressed his hope for more Irish players making it to the NFL alongside Smyth and Dan Whelan of the Green Bay Packers. "I think it would be cool to see some Irish players continue to make it in the league," he said.

John Devaney, chairman of Down GAA, attended Páirc Esler as well. He emphasized building connections between Down and the Steelers: "It's a unique thing to happen with sport connection and also linking between Rooney family and County Down," he said. "What happened today did not just happen out of blue; there is genuine connection between Steelers-GAA as well as Croke Park... perhaps only beginning journey - that's great to see."

Steelers Director of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney also attended camp expressing pride on returning family's ancestral homeland: "It's really special being in Newry," Rooney said. "Anytime Steelers come island Ireland special but even more today County Down where Rooney family hails... bringing James Farrior & Willie Parker multiple Super Bowl Champions guys played best football our team ever seen teaching game youth here really exciting."