Beggan's kicks his way into NFL contention

Rory Beggan gave his chances of potential earning a contract with an NFL franchise a huge boost with perfect field goal kicking display at a kicker's pro-day in Florida on Wednesday.

The Monaghan kicked a perfect 10 field goals.

Beggan is joined across the Atlantic by Down youngster Charlie Smyth who hit nine of his ten kicks between the posts, while Wicklow hopeful Mark Jackson landed seven.

Footage from Conor Mangan, who was on site at the Pro Day which took place at the University of South Florida, showed All Star and Scotstown native Beggan’s kicking over in front of NFL scouts from 25 right up to yards.

The other Irish player taking part of the International Player Pathway (IPP), former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader, was limited in his perfornance as he continues to rehab from injury.

All four Irish players have been signed by agents.

Beggan, Smyth and Leader are with Pro Star Sports.

Since the IPP program began in 2017, 37 participants have signed with NFL teams, and five have been active for at least one game.

The Irish players, as free agents, can sign to a team at any stage, however, it is more likely that they may need to wait until after the NFL college Draft which takes place in Detroit at the end of April.

Fellow Irish kicker Ronan Patterson, declared last month that he had accepted an offer of a place in the upcoming Canadian Football League draft.

Last year the Ramor United clubman and former Cavan minor footballer took up the chance of a lifetime when offered a Special Teams place with the prestigious Monmouth University in New Jersey, a Division 1 American College Football League programme.

He joined Connaught Rugby's Tadgh Leader's cohort in making the transition, and is now preparing himself to take the next step in what could be an exciting sporting career across the Atlantic.