The green wave of Irish talent entering the fold in the United States continued on Wednesday as the NFL Combine kicked off in Indianapolis.
Dublin footballer Mark McNamee took part in a specialist workout alongside Ross Bolger of Laois at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The workout is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme, with two specialist representatives from Ireland taking part this year.
The IPP looks to identify global talent, with the aim of providing elite athletes the opportunity to develop their skills in American football.
McNamee plays with Ballyboden St Enda's GAA in Dublin as a goalkeeper. He impressed on the field on Wednesday, with 13 out of 14 successful field goal attempts.
Bolger transitioned to American football in 2022, signing with Idaho State and playing primarily as a punter.
"Travelling around to states I've never been in, cities I've never been in, playing in these big stadiums with a load of fans and then going out and killing a 66-yard ball, it's quite a good feeling afterwards when you're running off and you're getting high fives and pats on the back as well."
Bolger kicked 12 successful field goal attempts out of 14, with scouts from each NFL team watching on.
Both McNamee and Bolger are registered in the NFL Combine as kickers and not punters. They have been trained by Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking.
Kicker and coach Conor Mangan was in attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium and he was impressed by the international talent on show at the specialist position.
"It was unbelievable to be there live to watch them compete. NFL coaches would sit up and sharpen their pencils every time the international kickers stepped up to hit a field goal," Mangan said.
"You could tell early on in the showcase that the Irish came to compete. Several American kickers had missed and every single IPP kicker was at 100%. It didn’t stay that way but the effect lingered… and that’s what we want."
"We want the NFL to take notice and realise that we are more than cut out for this – mentally and physically."
Both athletes followed in the steps of Down's Charlie Smyth, Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan, Wicklow’s Mark Jackson and former rugby player Darragh Leader by taking part in the process.
Both Beggan and Jackson secured tryouts with the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers respectively. Leader joined the European League Of Football last season, signing with Raiders Tirol.
Mayobridge man Smyth signed with the New Orleans Saints at the end of March. After kicking a game-winning field goal in preseason, Smyth was the back-up kicker in Louisiana.
He signed a new two-year deal last month with the Saints.
Both McNamee and Bolger will be looking to emulate the success that Smyth has had in the International Player Pathway process.
There is another Irish representative in the NFL Combine in Ulster’s Aaron Sexton, who is currently training as a wide receiver.
"Around four or five years ago now, when I was still sprinting and seeing DK Metcalf (Seahawks wide receiver) race, I was at the US trials, where he was racing sprinters," Sexton revealed.
"He ran 10.34 and I was running 10.43, so I know that I have got the speed."
"I'm just champing at the bit right now. I'm running in a park on my own, doing my drills, doing my homework.
"Obviously, I do know I still have a lot to grow and a lot to learn. But yeah, I'm looking to go out, enjoy it and perform."
The Bangor man will not take part in this weekends drills, but he is expected to have a Pro Day workout in Florida in early March.
