Cheers, cheers for old Notre Dame!
Fans of the Fighting Irish in green-saturated Long Island are set to flood local bars Monday to watch the Catholic university try to take home its first national championship for football since 1988.
Fifth-ranked Notre Dame goes to war against the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes at 7:30 p.m. in what’s shaping up to be a winner-take-all dogfight to remember.
Kevin Cassidy, owner of Finnbar Pub, a watering hole frequented by Golden Domers in Mount Sinai in Suffolk County, said the fan support is palpable on the emerald isle east of New York City.
“Every Irish person on Long Island has been a Notre Dame fan since the 70s. It’s ridiculous,” Cassidy told The Post.
“It’s all about the Fighting Irish here, and there’s so many Irish on Long Island,” said Cassidy, a family friend of former Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan, who went to Sayville High School in Suffolk.
A handful of popular Irish pubs on LI will reward fans who show up on gameday wearing ND gear.
Others also have some kickin’ specials for kickoff as fans watch the college football playoff finale with their blue and gold brethren:
Johnny McGorey’s
This watering hole, one of Massapequa’s most popular bars — with a new second location in Lynbrook — is a one-stop shop for Notre Dame fans.
McGorey’s manager, Rishi Matadeen, told The Post that anyone who sports Fighting Irish apparel for the event will receive a complimentary green-tea shot.
On game day, there will also be a special menu featuring $8 mini shepherd pies along with drink bucket specials: $25 for six imports and $20 for six domestics. High Noon and Suncruiser buckets are $35.
131 Front St., Massapequa Park, (516) 797-8584, 46 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, (516) 239-2458.
Doc O’Grady’s
Throughout Notre Dame’s impervious playoff run, Doc O’Grady’s owner, Michael Spieler, has given out a free first round to any fan wearing team gear at his Garden City pub.
That newfound tradition will continue Monday as he projects more than “a good amount” showing up in blue and green to shake down the thunder.
Doc O’Grady’s will also offer Bud Light and Miller Light pitchers for $18, domestic buckets of five beers for $20 and Surfside buckets of five beers for $30, among other specials, such as wings for $13.95.
73 Nassau Blvd. S, Garden City South, (516) 246-9614.
Paddy Power
Another Irish staple in Nassau County, Paddy Power of Merrick will give anyone wearing anything Notre Dame-related a free Miller on the night of the national championship.
Beer buckets of five will also cost $20, and appetizers will cost $7. Guests can toast the luck of the Irish with a $5 Jameson shot.
70 Merrick Ave., Merrick, (516) 223-3900.
Cornerstone
“Lots of Notre Dame fans” gather at this Jericho Turnpike bar, an employee told The Post.
The Mineola mainstay is doing a dollar off draft beers, $35 import buckets of six beers and $30 for domestic.
288 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, (516) 741-6095.
Lilly Flanigan’s
Although Mondays are typically much more mellow than the usual lines out the door on weekends at Lilly Flannigan’s, the bar is sure to be full of Fighting Irish fans Monday.
Every Notre Dame touchdown means a free green-tea shot for anyone in ND garments.
The Babylon Village bar also will offer $1 wings served 10 at a time, $25 Corona buckets of five, $35 Suncruiser buckets of five and $2 off on selected taps.
345 Deer Park Ave., Babylon, (631) 539-0816.
Finnbar Pub
Cassidy has 50-cent wing specials along with $15 buckets of any five domestic beers and $20 for imports.
340 NY-Route 25A, Mount Sinai, (631) 828-1417.
