Irish kickers become en-vogue for NFL teams as Packers sign McNamee

In recent years, many NFL teams have shown increasing interest in Irish kickers. Much has to do with the kickers background particularly in the sport of Gaelic football (where accurate kicking major is a skillset) and rugby. This coupled with the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program has put Irish kickers centre stage.

Emerald isle kickers such as Charlie Smyth (New Orleans Saints), Jude McAtamney (New York Giants) have paved the way with Mark McNamee the latest NFL signing after penning a deal for the 2025 season with the Green Bay Packers this week.

The 25-year-old is a former goalkeeper for his Gaelic club Ballyboden St Endas in County Dublin and he spent June with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League before signing with the Packers on Tuesday.

He becomes the second Irish kicker on their roster, joining Wicklow-born Dan Whelan.

GAA skills

Players in Gaelic football (Ireland’s most popular GAA sports) and rugby frequently kick the ball directly off the ground, which hones a strong and accurate leg swing. This translates well to the soccer-style kicking common in the NFL.

From playing Gaelic football from an early age, many Irish athletes have accumulated years of “foot skills” through these sports, making the transition to American football kicking relatively seamless.

The International Player Pathway (IPP) Program

The NFL has actively sought to expand its global talent pool through the IPP program which program provides an avenue for international athletes, including those with no prior American football experience, to train and potentially earn a spot on an NFL roster.

This programme coupled with the likes of “Leader Kicking,” founded by former Irish rugby player Tadhg Leader, are actively identifying and developing Irish talent specifically for American football. These programs help bridge the gap between the sports and prepare athletes for the NFL combine and pro workouts.

NFL teams are increasingly sending scouts to Ireland and participating in international combines to find these hidden gems.

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