‘I’m living the dream’ – Laois footballer Bolger bags American Football scholarship at Idaho

“Last September, this was the dream. So I have achieved my dream – I have got a scholarship to a Division One college team.”

So says Killeshin’s Ross Bolger after he signed a contract for a two year scholarship with Idaho State.

The Bengals are a charter member of the Big Sky Conference and play their home games at the Holt Arena, a 12,000 indoor stadium.

Speaking to OTB Sports, Bolger, who played minor and U-20 football for Laois, was delighted with the outcome.

He said: “I’m just taking it day by day. Obviously everyone wants to go to the NFL and play professionally but I know that if that doesn’t work out, I can still turn around after two years and say I have made history and done something that I never thought was possible.

“Living in America for two years and playing American Football will just be an unbelievable experience so anything that happens after that will be the cherry on the top.”

Bolger is the latest Irish recruit who will head across to America with dreams of going to the top of the game.

And he explained why he decided to pick Idaho over Boston who had also offered him a deal.

He said: “We loved it from the get go. The Idaho State corordinator came to meet me in Howth and he was really nice.

“When I met the head coach, he was very sound and had coached in Europe so he knows what it is like moving away from home.

“They are taking me as a punter and a kicker which means I will be able to excel in both.

“Other colleges were only offering me one or the other. They alsio have an indoor stadium which is ideal for elevation so my kicks will go higher and further.

“I also found a course that I like in sports management. That will enable me to work on coaching which is something I have discussed with Tadhg about doing in the future.

“Idaho is a nice place. There is lots to do – it is only two hours away from Yellowstone National Park.

“Fishing and hunting is commonplace there so it will be an experience. I have found the Laois of America.”

Tadhg Leader, the former Connacht and US Eagles rugby player, is Bolger’s coach.

And Ross explained how he will soon be moving permanently across the Atlantic.

He said: “They are looking to get me out after the July 4 break. So I plan to start training on July 10 and I look forward to that.

“The first game is against San Diego on September 3 so I am really looking forward to that.”

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