Advertisement
Notre Dame's running back Theo Riddick scores the opening touchdown despite Keegan Wetzel and Chris Ferguson of the Navy. INPHO/James Crombie
success

49,000 fans watch on as Notre Dame cruise to victory in Aviva

It is expected that today’s Emerald Isle Classic will be worth in the region of €100m to the Irish economy.

NOTRE DAME SCORED touchdowns on its first three possessions and defensive end Stephon Tuitt returned a fumble 77 yards for another TD as the Fighting Irish routed Navy 50-10 in Saturday’s season opener in Ireland.

A crowd of 49,000 filled Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for the first US college game in Ireland since 1996 in a game that will reportedly be worth around €100m overall to the Irish economy.

Theo Riddick and George Atkinson ran for first-quarter touchdowns, and tight end Tyler Eifert caught a 5-yard TD pass.

Tuitt scooped up quarterback Trey Miller’s fumble and rumbled to the end zone to put the Irish up 27-0 in the second quarter.

Navy kicked a 26-yard field goal before halftime and opened the second half with a three-pass drive capped by Shawn Lynch’s 25-yard grab to make it 27-10. Atkinson and Riddick replied with two of Notre Dame’s three second-half touchdowns.

Speaking ahead of the game, Minister for Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar had said the occasion was a huge success and estimated that the short-term dividend for the event was approximately €60m.

Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy

Read: In pictures: The ‘Emerald Isle Classic’ at the Aviva Stadium>

Read: Paralympics: Disappointment for Irish athletes in field, track>

Author
Associated Foreign Press
Your Voice
Readers Comments
57
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.