YOU COULDN’T EXACTLY describe Hoolahan as a mobile quarterback but, then again, Tom Brady is no speedster either and he has four Super Bowls to his name. The Ireland international’s vision and ability to thread the eye of a needle with a pass makes him the natural candidate for the quarterback position.
Running back – Brian O’Driscoll
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Of course we don’t mean the retired O’Driscoll but rather the Leinster and Ireland centre who cut teams to shreds with a swift sidestep or dummy pass. At his peak BOD was almost the perfect weight (93kg compared to NFL average 96kg) and height (1.78m compared to NFL average 1.79m) to do the job and there can be no question over how safe those hands were.
As was highlighted again in Mayo’s quarter-final against Donegal, O’Shea has a rare combination of speed, skill, power and strength that would make him ideal for the tight end position. While we don’t doubt his ability to go up and grab a pass, we’re sure his blocking could come along nicely with the right coaching.
If Canning can rise through the air and catch a sliotar — probably one tenth the size of an American football — while lads with sticks are trying to stop him, we’re certain the Galway man could do a job in the NFL. It helps that a source close to the Galway team has told us Canning has the biggest hands of any Irish sports person.
Murphy is ideally built to play the slot receiver role in the Wes Welker mould and could, using his natural strength, aggression and competitiveness, become the go-to-guy for any number of quarterbacks around the NFL. He’d easily make 100 catches in a season.
Defensive end – Sean O’Brien
Ireland’s version of JJ Watt, the Tullow tank would be your only man for bursting through the blocks and getting to the quarterback. Given his adeptness at winning possession, we’re almost certain the Leinster man would set a new NFL record for strip sacks if he were to play a season.
Linebacker – Jamie Heaslip
Inpho / Billy Stickland
Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
Heaslip and O’Brien could become the perfect D-Line, Linebacker tandem to put the fear of God into NFL offences. The Leinster captain rarely misses a game through injury so could be the inspirational three down player every NFL defence values.
Corner back – Jackie Tyrrell
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
We already know Tyrrell has a grá for gridiron and his eight All-Ireland titles and four Allstars shows he knows how to perform in a big game. At 1.88m he’s probably taller than your normal corner but it’s a role he’s made his own for 12 years with Kilkenny so why not in the NFL.
The Dublin defender is among the most accomplished in the country and is often the last line of defence for the Blues when his more attack-minded colleagues flood forward. His ability to spot a pass before it’s happened puts the Kilmacud Crokes man into the team.
10 Irish sports stars who could make it in the NFL
Quarterback - Wes Hoolahan
YOU COULDN’T EXACTLY describe Hoolahan as a mobile quarterback but, then again, Tom Brady is no speedster either and he has four Super Bowls to his name. The Ireland international’s vision and ability to thread the eye of a needle with a pass makes him the natural candidate for the quarterback position.
Running back – Brian O’Driscoll
Of course we don’t mean the retired O’Driscoll but rather the Leinster and Ireland centre who cut teams to shreds with a swift sidestep or dummy pass. At his peak BOD was almost the perfect weight (93kg compared to NFL average 96kg) and height (1.78m compared to NFL average 1.79m) to do the job and there can be no question over how safe those hands were.
Tight end – Aidan O’Shea
As was highlighted again in Mayo’s quarter-final against Donegal, O’Shea has a rare combination of speed, skill, power and strength that would make him ideal for the tight end position. While we don’t doubt his ability to go up and grab a pass, we’re sure his blocking could come along nicely with the right coaching.
Wide receiver – Joe Canning
If Canning can rise through the air and catch a sliotar — probably one tenth the size of an American football — while lads with sticks are trying to stop him, we’re certain the Galway man could do a job in the NFL. It helps that a source close to the Galway team has told us Canning has the biggest hands of any Irish sports person.
Slot receiver – Michael Murphy
Murphy is ideally built to play the slot receiver role in the Wes Welker mould and could, using his natural strength, aggression and competitiveness, become the go-to-guy for any number of quarterbacks around the NFL. He’d easily make 100 catches in a season.
Defensive end – Sean O’Brien
Ireland’s version of JJ Watt, the Tullow tank would be your only man for bursting through the blocks and getting to the quarterback. Given his adeptness at winning possession, we’re almost certain the Leinster man would set a new NFL record for strip sacks if he were to play a season.
Linebacker – Jamie Heaslip
Heaslip and O’Brien could become the perfect D-Line, Linebacker tandem to put the fear of God into NFL offences. The Leinster captain rarely misses a game through injury so could be the inspirational three down player every NFL defence values.
Corner back – Jackie Tyrrell
We already know Tyrrell has a grá for gridiron and his eight All-Ireland titles and four Allstars shows he knows how to perform in a big game. At 1.88m he’s probably taller than your normal corner but it’s a role he’s made his own for 12 years with Kilkenny so why not in the NFL.
Safety - Rory O’Carroll
The Dublin defender is among the most accomplished in the country and is often the last line of defence for the Blues when his more attack-minded colleagues flood forward. His ability to spot a pass before it’s happened puts the Kilmacud Crokes man into the team.
Kicker – Bryan Sheehan
The best dead ball kicker in the country, could there be any other choice?
They’re our selections, what about you? Let us know in the comment section below who you think could cross the divide.
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