Boston College alumnus Jim O’Brien, the man behind the Emerald Isle Classic–the first American college football game played in Europe, has released a commemorative book about the historic event. The Match, tells the story of the BC-Army game played on November 19, 1988 before more than 40,000 spectators in Dublin’s Landsdowne Road Stadium. The Emerald Isle Classic attracted an estimated 15,000 fans from the US and took place during Dublin’s Millennium celebrations. BC upset Army by a score of 38-24. “There is only one first and we were the first: BC-Army,” said O’Brien, who played football for the Eagles and was drafted by the Detroit Lions. “When you are first, you are always special.” The Match is available through O’Connor Studios.