Irish-born duo Daniel Whelan and James McCourt sign with NFL franchises as undrafted free agents

Daniel Whelan and James McCourt have moved a step closer to becoming the first Irish-born players to feature in the NFL since the mid-1980s after signing with the New Orleans Saints and LA Chargers respectively as undrafted free agents.

Enniskerry, Wicklow, native Whelan remained undrafted after the 2022 NFL draft concluded at the weekend but the 23-year-old, who has lived in the US with his family for the past decade, subsequently signed with the Saints as a free agent.

Whelan is a punter, coming through as a college prospect at University of California-Davis.

Dublin-born McCourt, who played high school football in Florida and whose alma mater is University of Illinois where he developed as a kicker, was confirmed as one of 14 undrafted free agents signed by the Chargers.

Both Whelan and McCourt will now try to earn a place in the final rosters of their respective teams via training camps ahead of the next NFL season.