International visitors, mostly from America but also from Europe, will make up around 50 per cent of the 50,000-plus crowd inside the Aviva, with the remainder of the capacity attendance travelling from across Ireland.
“It’s one of those things you don’t want to make it any bigger than it already is,” explained Shanahan.
“I feel lucky that I’m a senior and I’ve played a lot of college football so far so I really want to treat it just like any other game. I think that’s the recipe for success for a specialist in college football.
“I’ll definitely enjoy the atmosphere in warm-ups as much as I can but once game time comes it will be just another game. Giving exposure of the game to a whole new audience will be really cool.”
With Dan Whelan turning out for the Green Bay Packers, Down gaelic footballer Charlie Smyth having secured a deal with the New Orleans Saints and ex-Derry Under-20s player Jude McAtamney a rookie kicker with the New York Giants, Saturday’s game is set to further strengthen the growing Irish ties with American football.
McAtamney and Smyth will play their third and final pre-season games in the NFL this weekend before squads are trimmed down for the regular season.
“I like to think I show guys a path to alternative high-level sports,” added Shanahan.
“I always have guys on my PMs on Instagram or Twitter, asking me questions or sending me films so that’s a really cool aspect of it.
“I’m really close with Jude. When I got my scholarship he was one of the guys messaged me on Instagram. I’m really stoked for him about the Giants. He’s doing really well and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
Shanahan also told reporters that he has ambitions to progress his career in the sport.
“I definitely will be giving it the best shot I can to play at a higher level.
“But for me my sole focus is on this season. If you think too far ahead you’re doing yourself an injustice, you’re not going to perform at the best of your abilities so I’m just concentrating on one rep at a time.”
