Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson secure tryouts with NFL franchises

Gaelic footballers Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson have both secured tryouts with NFL franchises this weekend.

Monaghan goalkeeper Beggan will be working with the Carolina Panthers, while Wicklow stopper Jackson will have an opportunity to impress the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Beggan and Jackson took part in the NFL's International Player Pathway earlier this year, impressing with their kicking abilities at the NFL Combine, a programme which allows team to scout new talent.

The Panthers and Steelers have now decided to take a closer look at what each could offer ahead of the new NFL season.

They could now join Charlie Smyth in the NFL, after the Down goalkeeper signed a three-year deal to become a kicker with the New Orleans Saints back in March.

Wales rugby international Louis Rees-Zammit also picked up a contract via the International Player Pathway, after he signed a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs as a running back.

Both Beggan and Jackson returned to train with their counties after their initial stints Stateside, with the former lining out in Monaghan's Ulster preliminary round defeat to Cavan back in April.

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