Football

Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth to visit NFL side New Orleans Saints this week

The Mayobridge man will go down to Louisiana to work out with the NFC South outfit in a bid to win a contract after coming through the International Player Pathway programme.

Charlie Smyth smiling at the Indianapolis Colts' Lucas Oil Stadium
Charlie Smyth The Down goalkeeper has been invited for a visit to the New Orleans Saints in Louisiana in a bid to win a contact. PICTURE: NFL UK

DOWN GAA goalkeeper Charlie Smyth will visit the New Orleans Saints NFL facility later this week, as per Pro Football Ireland.

The Mayobridge man will go down to Louisiana to work out with the NFC South outfit in a bid to win a contract after coming through the International Player Pathway programme.

Smyth impressed in his combine and pro-day, which was attended by 31 NFL scouts at the University of South Florida.



He is one of four Irish athletes currently seeking pro contacts, with Monaghan’s Rory Beggan, Wicklow’s Mark Jackson and former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader making up the quartet.

The Down u20 Ulster Championship winner is the first Irish player to have announced a visit to an NFL team.

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Fellow International Player Pathway player Rory Beggan was seen talking to the director of pro scouting of the New York Giants, Chris Rossetti after his pro day performance.

There have been no confirmed visits for Beggan, Jackson or Leader as of yet but Beggan has said that there have been “conversations” with teams following his pro day.