Bringing "Home" the Fighting Irish to Ireland

The man who played the key role in bringing Notre Dame back to Dublin -- along with his good friend Don Keough, Life Trustee -- is Ireland businessman and Trustee Emeritus, Martin Naughton .  (Photo -- that's Naughton on the left and Keough on the right)

Notre Dame fans will enjoy this story that ran in the IRISH TIMES yesterday.  Click on the link below.

LINK:  NAUGHTON & KEOUGH

LINK:  AN INTERVIEW OF MARTIN NAUGHTON

Vatican's Papal Nuncio to Ireland -- a Domer!

Archbishop Charles John Brown is a 1981 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the current nuncio to Ireland.  Brown was named to this post by Pope Benedict XVI last November. 

The Archbishop will be one of 40 expected concelebrants for Saturday's Mass at Dublin Castle -- prior to kick-off of the Notre Dame / Navy game.

LINK:  ORDINATION OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES BROWN

LINK:  ARCHBISHOP BROWN IN THE NEWS

Irish Eyes Just Might Be Smiling in Dublin!

Here's a first look at the weather forecast for Notre Dame's opening game this Saturday in Dublin, Ireland... 

I'm liking what I see for Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- have my fingers crossed!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WEATHER IN DUBLIN

Domer On David Letterman Last Thursday

Michael Somerville '94, was on The Late Show with David Letterman last Thursday night doing his stand-up comedy routine -- FUNNY!  Here's a link to Michael's performance and a link to his official website:

LINK:  MICHAEL SOMERVILLE ON LETTERMAN

LINK:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Notre Dame Football Facemask Turns GOLD!

I am lovin' this move!!!

I can't wait to see what the finished product looks like -- but word broke today that the facemasks on the GOLD HELMETS of Notre Dame are being replaced with a new mask that has some GOLD in them!

This photo was "tweeted" by Ryan Grooms, Notre Dame Football Equipment Manager.

Notre Dame Sets Guinness World Record!!!

The folks at Guinness World Records just announced that the University of Notre Dame set a world-record on March 2, 2012 in the Purcell Pavilion in a game called "knock-out basketball."

433 participants -- smashed the previous world record of 379!

Here's a link to how you play this game -- along with a link to the World Record:

LINK:  KNOCKOUT BASKETBALL RULES

LINK:  GUINNESS WORLD RECORD!

Golden Tate Returns Punt 92 Yards for TD!

Tonight in an NFL Exhibition game, former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate -- returned a punt 92 yards for a TD!  The Seahawks rolled over the Chiefs 44 - 14.  Here's a link to Tates' TD!

LINK:  GOLDEN GOES 92!

Photo "Tweets" -- ND Football Equipment Mgr.

Ryan Grooms has been busy packing the Fighting Irish for Ireland -- yet, he continues to find time to "tease" the Notre Dame Nation with his tweets.  His "tweet' associated with the photo above was "back up jerseys" for Ireland..."

Coach Kelly with ESPN's Mike & MIKE

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was on ESPN's Mike & MIKE show this morning.  Here's an audio link to the segment:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY ON MIKE & MIKE

Notre Dame Football Tickets On Sale Today!

At 8:30 AM ET -- TODAY -- a few tickets to select Notre Dame football games will go on sale.  You can call 574.631.7356 or visit the Notre Dame Ticket Office at the Purcell Pavilion.

LINK:  TICKETS RELEASED FOR PUBLIC SALE

Coach Kelly Names ND's Starters for Navy

In today's press conference, Coach Kelly let the media in on who we would see on the field first on both sides of the ball.  And, you're going to see some new faces!  (One of those new faces is starting corner Keivarae Russell -- pictured above.)

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Is this the FASTEST ND Offense of All-Time?

I ask this question for good reason...

If you were to go "five wide" on offense with these players -- it just might be the FASTEST team ever to wear the GOLD HELMET -- add don't forget our QB Everett Golson:

• George Atkinson III
• Chris Brown
• Davonte Neal
• Davaris Daniels
• TJ Jones / Cierre Wood / Theo Riddick

Can you think of five with more speed in the same offense at Notre Dame?

Davonte Neal: The Next Rocket @ ND?

Notre Dame freshman, Davonte Neal -- was named this afternoon as the starting punt returner for the FIGHTING IRISH!

Now, we all remember the IRISH had a total of 3 return yards ALL SEASON in the punt return game in 2011.  I'm counting on Davonte surpassing that on his first return!

I've been following ND football for a very long time -- and on film -- I must say he's the closest I've seen to Mr. Raghib "Rocket" Ismail in an IRISH uniform.  He has special skills with the football in his hands -- as you'll see in his highlight video linked below.  YOU MUST WATCH HIS VIDEO!

I can't wait until Navy's first punt...

LINK:  THE NEXT ROCKET?

Notre Dame Football Names its Starting QB!

Folks, there's not a more scrutinized position in all of sport than the QB for the University of Notre Dame...

This afternoon, Coach Kelly announced that Everett Golson had won the starting position for the IRISH!

Everett Golson joins a select fraternity of some of the greatest names in college football history; Huarte, Hanratty, Theismann, Lamonica, Montana, Clements, Rice, Jackson, Mirer, Rice, Beurlein, Quinn, etc., -- who've worn the GOLD HELMET under center.

Everett -- the Notre Dame Nation will be rooting for you!  To get you excited about Mr. Golson's talents -- here's some video highlights from his senior year in high school and his first official press conference as a starter:

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE

NINE DAYS to NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL!!!

Folks, if you're like me -- you can't wait!!!

Here's a video that will get you fired up for the start of the 125th season of the greatest college football program in the land...

GO IRISH!


LINK:  ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

Coach Longo Firing Up His Troops!

Notre Dame Football's head strength and conditioning coach Paul Longo is seen in this video (linked below) coaching his boys.  You'll enjoy the intensity he brings to his craft.

LINK:  GO IRISH

Samardzija Talks Notre Dame Football

Folks, former Notre Dame football All-American Jeff Samardzija was on TV with a couple MLB "talkin' heads" -- click on the link below -- pretty funny...

LINK:  JEFF SAMARDZIJA

Photo: Turf Additions to Notre Dame Stadium

The University of Notre Dame's highly acclaimed photographer Matt Cashore -- took this recent photo of the interior of Notre Dame Stadium.  You'll note the addition of "field turf" that rings the grass field and covers the Irish and opposition sidelines.

Domer Gets Four-Year Contract Extension

Former Notre Dame basketball star Monty Williams -- signed a four-year contract extension today to continue on as coach of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets.  Congratulations Monty!

LINK:  MONTY WILLIAMS EXTENSION!

The Maturation of ND's Everett Golson

The South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen sat down with Notre Dame QB Everett Golson to discuss his journey to what looks like will be a starter's role 12 days from now in Dublin, Ireland.  You'll enjoy this story.

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON -- MATURING