Genuinely shocked and surprised that you picked up on that amazingly obscure (to North America at least) reference.
When they had the game in Melbourne, it was FLOODED with red shirts. Unbelievable.
Rugby > American Football/NFL.
I just figured that if you of all people want the Irish to be left out, it had to do something with Rugby. Googled it, saw I was right :lol
Also, feel-good thread of the day to be found here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=606596