A trio of Irish Gaelic football goalkeepers impressed at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Sunday, March 3 as the top 32 teams in the US looked on.
Former Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan, Down's Charlie Smyth, and Wicklow's Mark Jackson all impressed at the Combine in Indianapolis, which allows the 32 NFL teams to take a look at players eligible in the upcoming draft.
The kickers were competing with a number of college kickers at the Lucas Oil Stadium as part of the International Players Pathway.
Galway native and former Connacht Rugby player Darragh Leader, also a part of the IPP, will take part in the second day of the Combine on Monday.
As players in the International Players Pathway, the Irish athletes can be approached at any time by NFL clubs as they are free agents.
So proud.
Congrats to all of the Leader Kicking lads. ☘️#NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/dZBcIyf5py
— Pro Football Ireland (@NFLIreland) March 4, 2024
On Sunday, Smyth was the most accurate of the Irish trio, landing 12 of his 16 kicks and narrowly missing an attempt from 60 yards.
Beggan, meanwhile, landed 11 out of 16 kicks, with Jackson successfully kicking 10 field goals.
All three kickers looked comfortable as they attempted kicks from different angles and distances, attempting some kicks when the ball was held by a pin and others with a snap and hold involved.
All three also excelled in a series of kick-off drills, with Beggan's accuracy and Jackson's distance coming to the fore.
Rory Beggan, from the @officialgaa to the NFL combine! 🏈🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/kbACiD1wMa
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) March 4, 2024
The players also held interviews with representatives from all 32 NFL franchises before the Combine and will now wait to see if they will be selected for the upcoming season.
IPP Special-teams flying the flag at the NFL Combine last night! 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/C1r3mM6rnd
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) March 4, 2024
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