Tide, Fighting Irish Fans Packing Bars & Pubs

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – As the countdown click ticks closer to the match up between the Notre Dame Fight Irish and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS Championship, fans of both teams are packing local bars and pubs sporting home team pride.

"We are the Fighting Irish and we are ready," said Bob Bulfin at Macguires Hill 16 Pub in Ft. Lauderdale.

Local Fighting Irish fans have watched the games in the pub all season long.

"This is the grand finale," said Bulfin. "We started with Navy on Labor Day."

And now they'll watch the last game of the season with a whole host of Fighting Irish faithful.

"We probably typically at least have 50 to 100 people come to those game watches. Tomorrow for the game watch we might have a few thousand I'm sure," said Terry Kirchmier with the Notre Dame Fort Lauderdale Alumni Association.

For bar owner James Gregory, the party he's planning for Monday will rival another big day on the Irish calendar.

"We'll treat it like St. Patrick's Day," said Gregory.

Gregory said he's doubled the staff for Monday and stocked up on plenty of food and drinks.

"Usually we have 40 to 50 kegs in our regular cold room, but on the big truck we also have 150 kegs," said Gregory.

Less than 10 minutes away similar preparations are under way at Quarterdeck restaurant on Las Olas Blvd.

"If I run out of beer I'll be very impressed. We stocked up pretty heavy for this event," said general manager Robert Skinner.

Alabama's Fort Lauderdale Alumni Club will gather Monday to watch what it hopes will be Bama's 3rd championship win in 4 years.

"Plans are to raise hell. Let 'em know we're going for three out of four and then when we're finished with that, we'll do it again in 10 months," said Tide fan John Cornell.

No matter which team comes out on top these businesses are no doubt the big winners.

"We've pretty much been busy all week since the Orange Bowl, so we're really excited about having the BCS down here" said Skinner.