Delve into the mind of those that stand alone in their sport, in their journey, on their quest; those that stand over the ball with everything on the line... Enter The Arena is a podcast series following those that are Masters of accuracy and power: placekickers, free takers, dead ball specialists, etc.
Hosted by Conor "Dropkick" Mangan (Current professional American Football player from Cork, Ireland), and in association with Leader Kicking, we delve into the techniques, the stories, the pressure and the mental training of the best kickers on the planet.
10. The NFL Combine - "I walked into Lucas Oil Stadium and my resting heart rate was well above 100 bpm..."
A look back at a monumental weekend for the 4 Irish IPP athletes: Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson, Charlie Smyth and Darragh Leader. And how exactly did they get on in Indy?
We begin the episode with a recap of Conor Mangan's adventures, before diving straight into what the lads experienced, and how they are feeling (13.10).
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Conor Mangan.
29 Feb 2024
9. NFL Combine Preview - "4 Irish Players Enter The Arena For The First Time In History..."
For the first time in it's history, the NFL Combine will host 4 Irish born players through the International Player Pathway (IPP) Program as Kickers/Punters. Conor Mangan and Tadhg Leader (NFL IPP Coach of Leader Kicking) review what the lads have been through, what's to come, and we ask the question: Will there be an Irish kicker on an NFL roster in the '24/'25 season?
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. This episode was recorded and produced by Conor Mangan, with help from Michael McQuaid.
22 Feb 2024
8. John Carney - "A bang on my door came at 6am, and I was cut from the team... it was 3 years before I would play again with the Chargers"."
John Carney is a 23-year NFL Veteran Kicker and Super Bowl winner, playing for the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Diego Chargers, and more. He is the fifth highest point scorer of all-time in the National Football League. He now owns and operates the world renowned Carney Training Facility (https://www.carneycoaching.com/), coaching some of the best kickers in the world, in San Diego, California.
Carney played across 4 decades in the NFL, racking up a total 2,062 points. After 11 years with the San Diego Chargers, Carney signed with the New Orleans Saints, In 2005, Storm Katrina hit the city causing the deaths of almost 2,000 people. In 2009, the city bounced back, winning the Super Bowl as underdogs on the their first ever appearance. He also made the Pro Bowl at the age of 44, the oldest player ever at the time.
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Patrick Villa of CTF, Conor Mangan and Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
15 Feb 2024
7. Tadhg Leader - "There's two sports in the world where you kick from the grass through uprights: GAA, and the NFL"
Tadhg Leader is a former International Rugby Player, CFL Kicker/Punter with Hamilton Ti-Cats and current IPP Coach with the National Football League. Tadhg is the founder and operator of the Leader Kicking program in Ireland.
In 2019, Leader was called up to the U.S. squad for the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship, after several years playing the MLR. In 2021, he played in the Spring League, the European League of football with Panthers Wrocław, and ultimately earned a roster spot in the Canadian Football League with Hamilton in 2022. Tadhg Leader has spearheaded the Leader Kicking program, opening the door for Irish Kickers to earn scholarships in the States, and the first ever Irish Kickers to compete in the NFL combine.
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
If you're interested in kicking, and want to follow in Rory, Mark, Charlie, Darragh or any other Irish Kicker’s footsteps, fill out this interest form.
8 Feb 2024
6. Andy Quinn - "The NFL Academy called my Dad and asked him if I could make it in on Monday..."
Andy Quinn is a current Kicker/Punter in the NFL Academy, and is a former Connaught rugby underage player. Andy is part of the Leader Kicking (leaderkicking.com) program, and is coached by Tadhg Leader.
In 2023, Andy Quinn became the first ever Irish Player to be part of the NFL Academy. He is the youngest winner of Ireland’s Kicking King competition, nailing a 45-yard field goal in the Aviva stadium in front of 55,000 people.
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
If you're interested in kicking, and want to follow in Andy's Footsteps, fill out this interest form (https://linktr.ee/leaderkicking?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#250802582).
2 Feb 2024
5. Ross Bolger - " I had 5 or 6 Full D1 Scholarships almost overnight..."
Ross Bolger is the current Punter/Kicker for Idaho State, who play in the Big Sky Conference in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. He’s the first player to receive a full kicking scholarship through the Leader Kicking program, and is coached by Tadhg Leader.
Hailing from Killeshin, Co. Laois, Ross comes from a GAA, Boxing and Rugby background. In 2022, Bolger went viral on twitter after a video emerged of him kicking perfectly off his Left and Right foot during a college tryout in the US, leading to multiple D1 scholarship offers.
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted and produced by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
1 Feb 2024
4. Darragh Leader - "What do you mean you're in the NFL combine? You don't play football..."
Darragh Leader is a former International Rugby player for Ireland and Connacht, playing Fullback and Wing. Darragh is one of 4 Irish athletes that will be competing in the 2024 NFL combine in Indianapolis, IN, in March 2024, along with Rory Beggan, Charlie Smyth and Mark Jackson through the International Player Pathway program. Darragh is currently trained by his brother, Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking. (leaderkicking.com)
Leader holds the record for one of the longest kicks in rugby union at 62 metres (almost 68 yards). He moved up through the ranks from Connaught academy, to Ireland u20s, to finally a call up to Joe Schmidt's Ireland squad in 2014. He’s also coached at the prestigious Clemson University, SC.
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
1 Feb 2024
3. Charlie Smyth - "I had 30 seconds to warm-up, and then made all 4 kicks in a row..."
Charlie Smyth is an Irish Gaelic Football player from County Down, and specializes in the goal keeper position. Charlie will be competing in the 2024 NFL combine in Indianapolis, IN, in March 2024, along with Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson, and others, through the International Player Pathway program. Mark is currently trained by Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking. (https://leaderkicking.com/)
Charlie was selected as Player of the Province for Ulster U-20s in 2021, and has played county at every level, including senior. From looking up to players like Rory Beggan, to kicking alongside him in the NFL combine, 2024 is set to be quite the year for Charlie Smyth.
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
1 Feb 2024
2. Mark Jackson - "Pressure is a privilege, and it's where I want to be..."
Mark Jackson is an Irish Gaelic Football player from County Wicklow, and specializes in the goal keeper position, making his debut at 18 years old for County Wicklow. Mark will be competing in the 2024 NFL combine in Indianapolis, IN, in March 2024, along with Rory Beggan, Charlie Smyth, and others, through the International Player Pathway program. Mark is currently trained by Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking. (https://leaderkicking.com/)
In his first ever county game, Jackson scored 7 points, saved a penalty and was named man of the match - all at the tender age of 18 years old. In addition, he has scored over 100 points from the goalie position since (by the age of 24). Only 2 other players have ever accomplished such a feat - one being Rory Beggan of Monaghan (Ep 1 of Enter The Arena).
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
1 Feb 2024
1. Rory Beggan - "Ideally, I've played my last ever game for Monaghan..."
Rory Beggan is an Irish Gaelic Football player from County Monaghan, specializing in the goal keeper position. Rory will be competing in the 2024 NFL combine in Indianapolis, IN, in March 2024, along with Mark Jackson, Charlie Smyth, and others, through the International Player Pathway program. Rory is currently trained by Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking. (https://leaderkicking.com/)
He has revolutionized the goal keeper role with his dynamic outfield play, passing ability, and his long range free kicks (including 65+ metres). This earned him a 2018 GAA All-star award, beating out Stephen Cluxton, from Dublin. He currently plays county football for Monaghan in the Ulster Championship, and plays his club football for Scotstown GAA.
Enter The Arena is a series podcast hosted by Conor Mangan (Professional American Football Kicker from Cork, Ireland). An LK podcast production. Recorded and produced by Lee Murray of MURR Media. Special thanks to Lochlainn Harte for audio assistance and consultation.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
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