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Georgia Tech beat 10th-ranked Florida State thanks to a late field goal [Getty Images]
A sold-out Aviva Stadium hosted a thrilling opening game as this year’s NCAA College championship season got under way in Dublin. An Atlantic Coast Conference match between Georgia Tech and Florida State saw the 10th-ranked Seminoles beaten 24-21 by a last-second field goal.
The game was a neutral venue for all but one of the players involved. It’s not often that a punter is the centre of attention in the match build-up but in David Shanahan, Georgia Tech have a history maker.
Three years ago Shanahan, from Castleisland in County Kerry, became the first Irishman ever to earn a full scholarship to play college football.
Now in his senior year, the cheers for Shanahan’s punts from the near 50,000 crowd were among the very loudest of the night.
Georgia Tech’s punter David Shanahan hails from County Kerry, in the Republic of Ireland [Getty Images]
There were also outstanding special teams performances in the game from FSU kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who impressed with two long-range field goals, and the Georgia Tech’s Aidan Birr, who held his nerve to deliver the game-winner.
The contest had started ominously for Shanahan’s team, who had no answer to Florida State’s ground game on the opening possession.
A 28-yard touchdown run by Lawrence Toafili ended a seven-play, 75-yard drive for the Seminoles. But Georgia Tech responded well, quarterback Zach Pyron powering through for a touchdown to cap a rapid, six-play drive.
Shanahan was first called into action towards the end of the first quarter after Georgia Tech’s second drive of the game stalled. The Kerryman placed a tactical 44-yard punt to the FSU 25-yard line.
The Seminoles had to settle for a field goal on their subsequent drive, Fitzgerald landing a 52-yard attempt.
The Yellow Jackets took a 14-11 lead with running back Jamal Haynes surging into the endzone three minutes from half-time. But there was enough time for FSU to get…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-classic-delivers-dublin-195248554.html
Author : BBC
Publish date : 2024-08-24 19:52:48
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