The Irish are ready to take over kicking in the NFL ,as Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson given the opportunity to potentially sign with teams after they accepted tryouts with the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers respectively.
The pair were a part of the group of GAA goalkeepers alongside Down's Charlie Smyth that signed up for the NFL's International Player Pathway, something that also included Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit.
Both Beggan and Jackson impressed at the NFL Combine and on their pro days, hitting kicks from 60 yards. After the draft, teams begin to put their squads together of pre-season and it looks like both Beggan and Jackson could have new homes at the Panthers and Steelers.
🚨 From Baltinglass to Pittsburgh: Mark Jackson has accepted an invite to tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers - he will join the teams rookie mini camp this weekend.
What an opportunity for the Wicklow man 👏 pic.twitter.com/Pldsx91ENO
— Michael McQuaid (@Michael_NFL) May 10, 2024
From Scotstown to South Carolina: Monaghans Rory Beggan will work out with the Carolina Panthers this weekend.
Here we go. pic.twitter.com/z5ChhfXqhN
— Michael McQuaid (@Michael_NFL) May 10, 2024
The Monaghan and Wicklow men could now follow in the footsteps of Charlie Smyth, who last month signed with the New Orleans Saints after a successful tryout. With Enniskerry native Daniel Whelan a punter with the Green Bay Packers and Derry's Jude McAtamney having signed with the New York Giants, we could have a situation where five Irishmen are playing in rhe league next season.
Over the last month, both men had returned to the inter-county scene. Jackson trained with Wicklow but didn't play in the Leinster Championship and now looks set to miss their Tailteann Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, Beggan played for Monaghan during their Ulster Championship defeat to Cavan and will now miss the All-Ireland series match against Kerry next Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers potentially picking up Jackson is quite apt as the team have a strong connection to Ireland as their owners the Rooney family have deep roots in Ireland.
They famously played a pre-season game in Croke Park in 1997 and since last year have had marketing rights to the whole island of Ireland. This means they can pursue activities in Ireland and they have also been vocal in looking to bring an NFL match to Dublin.
This could end up being a massive day in the history of Irish sports as in Beggan, Jackson and Smyth, we could be seeing the start of a new opportunity for athletes in Ireland.
READ ALSO: Irish NFL Invasion Continues As Derry U20 All-Ireland Winner Signs With New York Giants
