This year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic will take place on Saturday 27th August in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. The highly anticipated clash between Northwestern University (Wildcats) and the University of Nebraska (Cornhuskers) will mark the first time either of these two titans of college football have ever played in Ireland.
Both teams will be bringing the full American Football experience to Ireland with pre-game tailgates, pep rallies, marching bands, cheerleaders, and of course a halftime show.
The game will be held at the magnificent Aviva Stadium, which also held the 2012 Emerald Isle Classic between the University of Notre Dame and U.S. Naval Academy, as well as the 2016 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Boston College and Georgia Tech.
Waterford has designed and crafted two trophies for the game; the Keough-Naughton College Memorial Football Trophy and the Coach’s Award. From the initial design to the finished product, a significant amount of craftsmanship is required to create these unique sporting trophies.
The Keough-Naughton College Football depicts an American football mounted on three individual sculpted pillars of crystal, resting on a beautiful base and plinth. The concept for the trophy is a ball in flight while the pillars represent the players’ arms catching the ball.
The Coach’s Award is a masterful replica of an American football helmet. The instantly recognisable shape, sparkle and quality reflect the unique craftsmanship of Waterford Crystal.
Tickets for the game can be purchased here