American eagle flies over Phoenix Park as Taoiseach helps kick off festivities

THE US ambassador’s nearest neighbours and more than 30 members of his family were among the hundreds who gathered at his Phoenix Park residence for a Fourth of July football game yesterday.

Ambassador Dan Rooney, owner of the the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Taoiseach Brian Cowen watched the game from the bleachers of a specially constructed American football field in his front garden yesterday.

President Mary McAleese’s children Emma and Justin were among the novice players in the flag football teams alongside American ex-pats, US marines and Gaelic football players. The pitch was designed and built by staff from Croke Park.

Many US business people and executives working in Ireland were among the crowds sitting in the temperamental sun watching the game.

The hundreds gathered enjoyed classic American fare from barbecued burgers and hot dogs to a US flag-decorated cake and blue, red and white cupcakes as the “Dublin 8s” took on the “Phoenix Park Pirates”.

The 77-year-old ambassador donned a black coach’s coat as he watched the players who had tried out on Friday and been coached by his sons Art and Dan.

As touchdowns were replayed on a giant screen and the 20 minutes of play took over an hour, his son Jimmy Rooney took the lead in the commentary box with plenty of family football jokes.

The football standard was “surprisingly good” and it was “exactly as I hoped for” the ambassador said of the game which he hopes will become an annual event.

He presented Mr Cowen with an American football before the Taoiseach tossed the coin and stood on the pitch to listen to Amhrán na bhFiannand The Star-Spangled Banner.

Mr Cowen kicked his new ball before taking his seat beside Mr Rooney on the front bench.

At last year’s White House St Patrick’s Day party, An Taoiseach had extended an open invitation to Mr Obama.

Asked about the prospect of such a visit the ambassador said that a busy schedule and crises such as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill had so far prevented Barack Obama’s visit here.

“Whenever they get that worked out he’ll be here,” he added.

Mr Rooney was also hopeful of an increase in US investment in Ireland. “The American companies think highly of Ireland with a great, educated citizenry, willing to work and do things properly. It’s a great place to come,” he said.

Mr Rooney described Mr Cowen as a “fine person” and a “friend”. His presence was described as a “great endorsement” by Joanne Richardson, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce.

She felt it was a time to “celebrate and recognise” the very positive relationship between Ireland and the US. The economic ties were “phenomenal” and especially important to Ireland at the moment, she said.

Ireland would benefit from US connections as the global economy improved, she added.