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25 Sept 2025
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25 Sept 2025
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With the NFL clash of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings taking place in Croke Park, Dublin, we looked at when former Washingston Redskins quarterback was in Belmullet. Pic: Sportsfile
Croke Park is set to be the scene of NFL history this Sunday, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings make their way across the Atlantic for the first-ever regular-season game in Ireland.
The sense of carnival and splendour in GAA HQ will be like nothing Dublin has ever experienced before. Ahead of the carnival getting underway, we decided to revisit when one of the sport's history makers touched down, so to speak, in this particular corner of the world.
Mark Rypien was part of the Washington Redskins side that reached the pinnacle in 1992 during the Super Bowl XXVI season.
The Calgary native was the first ever Canadian quarterback to win the competition, and was rewarded MVP in the Minneapolis showdown, throwing 292 yards and two touchdowns in the 37-24 win over the Buffalo Bills.
In August, Rypien was seen taking in the wonders of the other side of the Atlantic, as he called into O’Donoghue’s Bakery in Belmullet.
The former Washington State college man took time for pictures with bakers and fans alike in the Main Street bakery as he enjoyed his time sampling the best the West of Ireland has to offer.
Time will tell if a certain Mr Rypien will be back on these shores on Sunday as the Steelers and Vikings go toe-to-toe on Irish sport's hallowed turf. However, if he does happen to make his way to the capital, one suspects one Mayo bakery would welcome him in once more.
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