Gaelic Games

Mark Jackson’s return puts spring in Garden County’s step

Big-kicking goalkeeper’s availability a boost for Wicklow in advance of tough championship assignment against high-flying Westmeath

Mark Jackson: the Wicklow man spent much of the last two months in the US trying to impress NFL scouts in an effort to secure a contract as a kicker with one of the franchises, Photograph: Ashley Cahill/Inpho

Gordon Manning
Thu Apr 4 2024 - 06:00

Mark Jackson’s return to Wicklow training has come as a boost to the Garden County ahead of their Leinster senior football championship opener against Westmeath in Portlaoise on Sunday.

Jackson spent much of the last two months in America trying to impress NFL scouts in an effort to secure a contract as a kicker with one of the franchises, having participated in the Combine in early March.

Both Jackson and Monaghan’s Rory Beggan have now returned to Ireland and rejoined their respective county set-ups, while Down’s Charlie Smyth managed to land a contract with the New Orleans Saints.

NFL offers could still come for Jackson or Beggan, but both goalkeepers are currently back training in more familiar environments ahead of the championship start this weekend.

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“Mark was back at our training last Saturday, it was great to have him back around the group and he was kicking as well as ever,” said Wicklow forward Kevin Quinn.

“It has been great to have him training because we’ve all kept an eye on how he was getting on in America.

“Everybody in the group is 100 per cent supportive of him, we were watching the Combine and he has been doing us proud. He brings a great amount to the group, so it has been brilliant to have him back around this week.”

It remains to be seen if Jackson will be parachuted straight back into the starting team or whether any possible return between the sticks will be pushed out.

Shane Doyle was Wicklow’s first-choice goalkeeper for six of their seven Division Three games, with Cathal Fitzgerald stepping in for their fixture against Offaly. Doyle started most of their O’Byrne Cup/Shield matches in January too, with Fitzgerald playing in the Shield final.

Westmeath, who won the Division Three league title at Croke Park last Sunday, will enter Sunday’s O’Moore Park clash as favourites against a Wicklow team who were relegated from the same division.

“We are going there on Sunday to get a result, we are not going there for anything less really,” added Quinn. “We obviously know how good Westmeath are and we’ll give them due respect, but we are going there for a win.”

Quinn was speaking at the launch of the 2024 Leinster championships at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks on Tuesday – which is currently showcasing a superb exhibition, GAA: People, Objects & Stories.

In launching the championships, provincial chairman Derek Kent issued a strong defence of the provincial competitions.

“Whenever anyone says that the provincial championship is on its last legs or it’s finished, I always believe there isn’t a person or player in this room who doesn’t want to win a Leinster hurling or football medal – this year, or every other year,” said Kent.

“The championship is there, it’s alive and kicking. It’s up to us in Leinster GAA to bring teams up to the level required to go hunt and win All-Irelands.”

Gordon Manning

Gordon Manning

Gordon Manning is a sports journalist, specialising in Gaelic games, with The Irish Times

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