Talented Irish legs impress at Steelers football clinic in Dublin
IrishCentral Sta
Ireland had a Pittsburgh flflavor on Tues‐ day, April 16, when the Steelers hosted their fifirst- ever American Football Kick‐ ing Clinic at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.
Former Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham and punter Jordan Berry, as well as Dan Rooney, the Steelers Director of Busi‐ ness Development & Strategy, led the free clinic, along with Galway native Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking.
Day 2 of our Irish trip! ☘ Shaun Su‐ isham, Jordan Berry and @TadhgLeader are ready to go, as we host our first-ever Kicking Clinic in Ireland Stay tuned across our social channels today as as‐ piring Irish kickers and punters get firsthand coaching from our former Steelers. pic.twitter.com/sdrxHhmOsq
- Steelers Ireland (@SteelersIreland) April 16, 2024
The day wrapped up with a youth clinic for young people from across Ireland.
Growing the game
An afternoon to remember for these fu‐ ture stars at our Youth Clinic, who re‐ ceived top class coaching from @Tad‐ hgLeader and our former Steelers, Shaun Suisham and Jordan Berry #SteelersIreland #HereWeGo pic.twit‐ ter.com/LYmWhSDfGa
- Steelers Ireland (@SteelersIreland) April 16, 2024
"I had a ton of fun," said Berry, who pun‐ ted for the Steelers from 2015 to 2020. "It was great to be out here with the guys. They're really dedicated to the game and its great to see so much in‐ terest in American football." Suisham added: "It's a real honor to be here with Jordan to represent the Steel‐ ers and help teach the game we love so much.
"There is talent here and we hope we've been able to leave these young athletes with something they can build upon." Our first Irish Kicking Clinic over and out #SteelersIreland #HereWeGo pic.twit‐ ter.com/Tk3u16Sbye
- Steelers Ireland (@SteelersIreland) April 16, 2024
Over 25 aspiring Irish kickers and pun‐ ters took part in clinics throughout the day, with Berry and Suisham leading them through drills and providing tips and advice.
Among those taking part were Mon‐ aghan's Rory Beggan, Wicklow's Mark Jackson, and Galway native Darragh Leader, who all participated in the NFL's International Player Pathway Program earlier this year.
Jackson was named the Kicking Clinic "Champion" for his overall performance. No need for Hawkeye on these field goal attempts! Tá ✅
Some top quality kicking and punting on display from the guys this morning! @mark_jacko1 coming through with the W #SteelersIreland #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/CraPfk55Ir
- Steelers Ireland (@SteelersIreland) April 16, 2024 "There are a lot of great athletes over here, especially in the kicking game," said Berry.
"For those in America who don't know, they have a strong background here not just with soccer but also rugby and Irish football. They have great kicking games. A lot of these guys have got a great base to work with.
"If they can stick with it, get in the gym, get stronger, get bigger and continue to hone that technique, there is definitely a great opportunity for them to progress in their careers."
'Legs are alive and well in Ireland!' Check out the highlights from our firstever Kicking Clinic in Ireland, as @Tad‐ hgLeader and former Steelers Shaun Suisham and Jordan Berry, put a group of Irish athletes through their paces. ☘ #SteelersIreland #HereWeGo pic.twit‐ ter.com/Dwwc29peF5
- Steelers Ireland (@SteelersIreland) April 17, 2024
The Kicking Clinic is part of the Steelers embracing the area after the team was awarded the rights to expand their brand and host activities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as part of the NFL's ' Global Markets Program.' The Program allows teams access to in‐ ternational markets to expand their team brand, and the Steelers have done so already through a youth football clin‐ ic, a Fan Watch Patry at Croke Park in Dublin, and other activities.
"Any time we can get our alumni to an event, and they get to teach the game to a group of young men that are passion‐ ate about our sport, that makes it a suc‐ cess," said Rooney.
"Today, we saw a group of Irish athletes of varying ages that are passionate and talented, and its clear that they want to get better. It was great to see Jordan and Shaun help them to do that today. "These guys play Gaelic football and rugby at high levels and their ability to perform under pressure, and we saw that first-hand. There was some talented legs here today."