American football is played in the Phoenix Park

To celebrate the Fourth of July US Ambassador Dan Rooney organised an American football game on a specially prepared playing field in the front garden of his official residence in the Phoenix Park. The 600 or so guests enjoyed a barbecue while watching the 20-minute game which involved GAA players, US military personnel and US ex-pats. Two of Mr Rooney's sons had coached the participants two days earlier. Among the guests was Taoiseach Brian Cowen.