Enter The Arena

Mar 07 2024 10 ep. 40 mins 2

Enter The Arena Podcast artwork

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.

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10. The NFL Combine - "I walked into Lucas Oil Stadium and my resting heart rate was well above 100 bpm..."

Mar 07 2024 45 mins

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 Manga

9. NFL Combine Preview - "4 Irish Players Enter The Arena For The First Time In History..."

Feb 28 2024 21 mins

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 sea

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"."

Feb 21 2024 40 mins

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, coaching some of the best kickers in the world, in San Diego, California. Carney

7. Tadhg Leader - "There's two sports in the world where you kick from the grass through uprights: GAA, and the NFL"

Feb 14 2024 46 mins

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 Spri

6. Andy Quinn - "The NFL Academy called my Dad and asked him if I could make it in on Monday..."

Feb 07 2024 38 mins

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 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 stad

5. Ross Bolger - " I had 5 or 6 Full D1 Scholarships almost overnight..."

Feb 02 2024 41 mins

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 we

4. Darragh Leader - "What do you mean you're in the NFL combine? You don't play football..."

Feb 01 2024 52 mins

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 Lea

3. Charlie Smyth - "I had 30 seconds to warm-up, and then made all 4 kicks in a row..."

Feb 01 2024 42 mins

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. Charlie was selected as

2. Mark Jackson - "Pressure is a privilege, and it's where I want to be..."

Feb 01 2024 29 mins

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 Tadh

1. Rory Beggan - "Ideally, I've played my last ever game for Monaghan..."

Feb 01 2024 43 mins

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. He has revolutionized the