American football captures Dublin's imagination at Croke Park Classic

Check out all the best photographs from an entertaining afternoon of football at GAA HQ.

FOR THOSE UNINITIATED sports fans who turned up, as well as the American football diehards, yesterday’s Croke Park Classic between Penn State and UCF did not disappoint.

After a thrilling second half, Penn State grabbed victory with a 36-yard field goal as time ran out to leave UCF lamenting in front of a raucous 55,000-strong crowd at the GAA’s headquarters.

The event was a success, with many attendees reporting back positively and stating their desire for a similar fixture to be played in Dublin as soon as possible. Check out some of the best photographs from an excellent day of entertainment at Croke Park.

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It was a very different-looking Croke Park layout yesterday

A general view of The Croke Park Classic Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The cheerleading squads went down a treat

A general view of a University of Central Florida cheerleaders in Croke Park Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

A general view of a University of Central Florida cheerleader in Croke Park Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

A general view of a University of Central Florida cheerleaders Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

A general view of a University of Central Florida cheerleader Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The UCF players looked pumped up as they walked onto the Croke Park turf

A general view of University of Central Florida players as the walk out onto the Croke Park pitch Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Speaking of the turf, there was lots of help on hand to keep the GAA’s pitch in good nick

Croke Park grounds people wait for their opportunity to work on the pitch at half-time Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

When the action got underway, some of the hits were ferocious

Chris Goodwin with Jordan Ozerities, Terrance Plummer and Troy Gray Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

esse Della Valle with Jordan Akins Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Vonn Walker has his helmet knocked off in a tackle Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The support at Croke Park certainly got into the game

A general view of an American Football fan at the game Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

American Football fans at the game Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

There were some stunning moments of skill

Josh Reece makes a catch as he is tackled by Trevor Williams Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Bill Belton clears some trouble Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Breshad Perriman makes a catch Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Before Sam Ficken held his nerve to win it at the death

Sam Ficken kicks the winning goal Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Kyle Carter celebrates the final whistle Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Allowing Penn State coach James Franklin to lift the Dan Rooney trophy

James Franklin lifts the Dan Rooney trophy Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Anthony Zettell and Austin Johnson celebrate with the Dan Rooney trophy Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Rannell Hall celebrates their win Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO