Mark McNamee (L) and Ross Bolger (R) at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.AP / Handout
Dublin native Mark McNamee and Co Laois native Ross Bolger are two of five specialists joining the International Player Pathway (IPP) program Class of 2025, the NFL announced on Thursday, February 27.
Mark, 25, was most recently a goalkeeper with the Dublin-based GAA club Ballyboden St. Enda's, while Ross, a former Laois Under-20 footballer, is out to impress after a successful season of college football as Punter/Kicker at Idaho State University in the US.
On Wednesday, the Irish duo showcased their abilities in front of NFL scouts at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ross Bolger at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (AP / Handout)
Heading into Wednesday's Combine, Mark had a bit of luck on his side thanks to some well wishes from his home GAA club Ballyboden St Enda's in Dublin:
Best of luck to club goalkeeper Mark McNamee who takes part in the 2025 Kickers & Punters @nfl Combine today in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Mark kicks on front of all 32 NFL teams and is one of only two Irish kickers in the combine.
Do us proud Mark 🏈 pic.twitter.com/3eX1egQu2Z
— Ballyboden St Endas (@Bodengaa) February 26, 2025
Established in 2017, the IPP program aims to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately work to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Charlie Smyth, a former goalkeeper with Down GAA, secured a place on the New Orleans Saints practice squad via the IPP program in 2024.
Alongside Mark and Ross, three other specialists are joining the program's Class of 2025 - Bastian Roppelt (Germany), Lenny Krieg (Germany), and Jonata Loria (Italy).
These five specialists joined the Class of 2025 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, training with IPP coaching staff before travelling to Indianapolis, Indiana, to showcase their abilities in front of NFL scouts at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
The term ‘specialist’ refers to a position in American football responsible for kicking or punting the ball, or the related mechanics of these plays. This includes but is not limited to, field goal kickers, punters, long snappers, holders and kickoff return specialists.
Specialists can be signed as a free agent or, if eligible, selected during the 2025 NFL Draft.
The five specialists are participating in the IPP program alongside the Class of 2025’s 13 athletes representing 12 nations around the world, which features fellow Irish athlete Aaron Sexton, a former Ulster rugby player.