Tadgh Leader Irish-born Professional American and Canadian Football Player 2021-2022

Player Details and Statistics

#
76
Name
Tadgh Leader
Nationality
irlIreland
Position
Kicker, Punter
Height
6'02
Weight
205
Past Teams
Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Panthers Wroclaw
Leagues
European League of Football East Division, CFL Canadian Football League East Division
Seasons
2021, Preseason 2022

CFL Canadian Football League East Division

SeasonTeamFGSafetyPAT2XPTDCompAttRush YdsRecRec YdsIntLngFumLost
Preseason 2022Hamilton Tiger-Cats00000000000000
Total-00000000000000

European League of Football East Division

SeasonTeamFGSafetyPAT2XPTDCompAttRush YdsRecRec YdsIntLngFumLost
2021Panthers Wroclaw00000000000000
Total-00000000000000

Career Total

SeasonFGSafetyPAT2XPTDCompAttRush YdsRecRec YdsIntLngFumLost
Total

[References: 1-21]

Biography

Born: Galway, Ireland, 1 March 1992.

College: International (Ireland); Lindenwood University (USA).

Professional Career: Connacht Rugby (Pro 12 Rugby); New England Free Jacks (Major League Rugby, 2019); Aviators (The Spring League 2021); Panthers Wroclaw (European League of Football 2021); Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Canadian Football League Preseason 2022)

Former Connacht Rugby player Tadgh Leader was born in Galway, Ireland. At the age of 15 he and his brother Darragh headed out to kick some Rugby balls at their local pitch on Christmas Day. His dad, a former Galwegians RFC Rugby player made a bet with them that they could not kick the ball over the bars from the halfway line. Both Tadgh and his brother Darragh won €50 each.

Tadgh went on to play Rugby Professionally for Connacht and Darragh now lives in USA where he coaches at Clemson University Tigers. Tadhg suffered a number of injuries during his last few years at Connacht and after playing in Italy he ended up studying in USA and playing for both New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby and making his Test debut for USA Eagles Rugby Union National Team.

Tadgh was signed up to play another year of Rugby Union in 2021 when the kicker started kicking American Footballs for fun. People took notice and said he should try out for American Football teams and so he went off to San Diego where he was kicking alongside Super Bowl-winning athletes. Unsure of his own ability he asked John Carney, who has 23 years of experience kicking Footballs and Carney said he could mix it with the NFL players.

Before long Leader found himself playing for the Aviators in The Spring League in USA. The Aviatiors, one of four teams based in Indianapolis, a COVID-19 Pod and one of two Pods in the 8-team league in 2021 finished with an 0-6 record in 2021. On May 7 versus Alphas Tadgh Leader scored the first points of his American Football career kicking a Field Goal to make the score Aviators 3 Alphas 7 at Halftime.

After spending Spring in Indianapolis with the Aviators Tadgh signed for Panthers Wroclaw in the European League of Football, making his debut on August 1 in a 31-33 loss at Cologne Centurions. Tadhg scored a 35-yard Field Goal in that game to make the score 16-7 [References: 7-8] On August 22 he kicked a 52-yard Field Goal, his personal highlight in a 30-24 victory at Hamburg Sea Devils [References: 9-10]. The Hamburg game was his fourth of the ELF season [References: 11]. Panthers Wroclaw finished the season with three straight wins to finish on 6-4 and reached the Playoffs where they lost to Hamburg Sea Devils 27-30.

In March 2022 Leader signed for Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, scoring the winning Field Goal with seconds left in the Ti-Cats opening preseason game versus Montreal Alouettes. After their second and last preseason game of the 2022 season where Leader sat on the bench and did not feature, Tadgh was released. [References: 15-21]

Note: Video Clip of Tadhg’s 52-yard FG versus Hamburg Sea Devils can be seen by clicking the link in Reference Number 9 below the Standing Section:

The Spring League 2021

The Spring League 2021PWLTPFPAPct
TSL North (Indianapolis)
Linemen (C)6510177117.833
Conquerors6420164118.667
Alphas6330118137.500
Aviators606053140.000
TSL South (Houston)
Jousters (C)642012162.667
Generals6420131104.667
Blues633078107.500
Sea Lions615090141.250

[References: Compiled from results in 2]

DateHome TeamAway Team
Mega Bowl ChampionshipRice Stadium, Houston, TX
19/06/2021Linemen26Jousters23

[References: 2]

European League of Football Autumn 2021

European League of Football Division North 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPAStreak
17300.700274178L2
26400.600314259W3
35500.500295320L1
43700.300228289W1

European League of Football Division South 2021

PosTeamWLTPctPFPAStreak
19100.900357132W9
25500.500320365L1
33700.300230277L2
42800.200157355L6

European League of Football Playoffs 2021

[References: 12-13]

CFL Canadian Football League Preseason 2022

CFL Canadian Football League East Division Preseason 2022

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
11100.50049445L1
21100.50042411L1
31100.5005051-1W1
41100.5003540-5W1

CFL Canadian Football League West Division Preseason 2022

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
12001.000781365W2
21100.5004546-1W1
31100.5003757-20L1
40100.0001625-9L1
50100.000641-35L1

[References: 15-21]

Tadgh Leader CFL Games Log

Results

Team1234T
Hamilton Tiger-Cats739625
Montreal Alouettes960823

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

# Player Position FG Safety PAT 2XP TD Comp Att Pass Yds Rush Att Rush Yds Rec Rec Yds Int Lng Fum Lost FR Tckl Solo Asst Sack PR KR Punt PYds PAvg BFG OR
76Tadgh Leader Kicker1000000000000000000000000000
 Total 1000000000000000000000000000

Montreal Alouettes

Position FG Safety PAT 2XP TD Comp Att Pass Yds Rush Att Rush Yds Rec Rec Yds Int Lng Fum Lost FR Tckl Solo Asst Sack PR KR Punt PYds PAvg BFG OR
 0000000000000000000000000000

References (WEBSITES)

[1] The 42 (2021) The former Connacht man now trying to make it as an NFL kicker [Internet] Available from: https://www.the42.ie/tadhg-leader-connacht-nfl-5425042-May2021/ [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[2] The Liberty (2021) Leader and Mayo: Meet the two Irishmen with the NFL in their sights [Internet] Available from: https://www.theliberty.ie/2021/12/01/leader-and-mayo-meet-the-two-irishmen-with-the-nfl-in-their-sights/?fbclid=IwAR1g3KnLD1lmr5GsnTTOrYiBJpVYPuyZzhjcgWKz54lKAc1ychvTjBiYwqA [Accessed 3 December 2021]

TSL Career References

[3] The Spring League (2021) Schedule [Internet] Available from: https://thespringleague.com/?page_id=5732 [Accessed 20 June 2021]

[4] The Spring League (2021) Aviators [Internet] Available from: https://www.thespringleague.com/?page_id=5809 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[5] The Spring League (2021) Post, May 7 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/thespringleague/posts/306326787531251 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

ELF Career References

[6] Rugby Players Ireland (2021) The Journey Continues for Tadhg Leader [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[7] Tadhg Leader Facebook (2021) Post, July 30, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/tadhg.leader/posts/4428767077162803 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[8] Tadhg Leader Facebook (2021) Post, August 3, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/tadhg.leader/posts/4440139309358913 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[9] European League of Football (2021) Video, August 26, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=4160723400714711 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[10] Tadhg Leader Facebook (2021) Post, August 26, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/tadhg.leader/posts/4511404508899059 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[11] Tadhg Leader Facebook (2021) Post, September 1, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/tadhg.leader/posts/4530606193645557 [Accessed 3 December 2021]

[12] European League of Football (2021) Stats [Internet] Available from: https://europeanleague.football/stats [Accessed 10 November 2021]

[13] European League of Football (2021) Schedule [Internet] Available from: https://europeanleague.football/schedule [Accessed 11 July 2021]

CFL Career References

LOGOS [1] Sports Logos (2021) 2757__canadian_football_league-primary-2016 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/2573/full/2757__canadian_football_league-primary-2016.png [Accessed 31 July 2021] REFERENCES

[15] Canadian Football League (2021) Schedule 2022 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/2022/ [Accessed 18 December 2021]

[16] Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2022) Tadhg Leader [Internet] Available from: https://ticats.ca/video/may-28-tadhg-leader  [Accessed 10 June 2022]

[17] Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2022) Transactions [Internet] Available from: https://ticats.ca/article/tiger-cats-transactions-june-5 [Accessed 10 June 2022]

[18] Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2022) Tiger-Cats add Global Kicker Leader [Internet] Available from: https://ticats.ca/article/tiger-cats-add-global-kicker-leader  [Accessed 10 June 2022]

[19] Canadian Football League (2022) Schedule Preseason 2022 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 25 Montreal Alouettes 23 Box-Score [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/games/6206/montreal-alouettes-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/?_ga=2.173484064.2086368179.1654856618-1214091020.1654856618#boxscore [Accessed 10 June 2022]

[20] Canadian Football League (2022)  Schedule Preseason 2022 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 25 Montreal Alouettes 23 Play-by-Play [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/games/6206/montreal-alouettes-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/?_ga=2.173484064.2086368179.1654856618-1214091020.1654856618#playbyplay [Accessed 10 June 2022]

[21] Canadian Football League (2022) Tadgh Leader [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/players/tadhg-leader/166367/ [Accessed 10 June 2022]

ELF Logo References

[7] Barcelona Dragons Facebook (2021)Profile Picture: March 24, 2021: 164100830_143302991038424_6685619488922431445_n [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/164100830_143302991038424_6685619488922431445_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-4&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=7nF5AhntfsEAX9glptP&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=a430079a20cfb0956dd3ea5a7c8db22e&oe=61316F91 [Accessed 11 July 2021]

[8] Panthers Wroclaw Fabecook (2021) profile Picture September 20, 2013 1235513_483738095055993_896136457_n [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/PanthersWroclaw/photos/a.483738081722661/483738095055993/ [Accessed 6 August 2021]

[9] Hamburg Sea Devils Facebook (2021) Profile Picture March 9, 2021: 159505975_122355319823281_3096303558860788527_n [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/HamburgSeaDevils/photos/a.106420621416751/122355316489948 [Accessed 6 August 2021]

[10] Stuttgart Surge Facebook (2021) Profile Picture July 27, 2021: 224860379_157740426432198_682630597869113461_n [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/StuttgartSurgeFootball/photos/a.101150422091199/157740416432199/ [Accessed 6 August 2021]

[11] Leipzig Kings Facebook (2021) Profile Picture April 23, 2021 176481610_124322863083112_5924150060350890678_n [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/105240348324697/photos/a.105240374991361/124322859749779 [Accessed 6 August 2021]

[12] Cologne Centurions Facebook (2021) Profile Picture March 22, 2021 164225775_104312295086165_3866117950552195047_n [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/164225775_104312295086165_3866117950552195047_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-4&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=q-FxP6s2FecAX8leJ2f&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=b85f562fcd7282fd92b580c46312ec3d&oe=61329D2C [Accessed 6 August 2021]

[13] Frankfurt Galaxy Facebook (2021) Profile Picture April 18, 2021 175159880_127159659432418_8771340701865027771_n  [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/frankfurtgalaxy21/photos/a.100834638731587/127159656099085 [Accessed 6 August 2021]

[14] Berlin Thunder Facebook (2021) Profile Picture May 6, 2021 182443261_131030875743347_4880774321224305568_n  [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/BER.Thunder/photos/a.106909338155501/131030872410014/ [Accessed 6 August 2021]

CFL Logo References

[3] Sports Logos (2021) 8827_bc_lions-primary-2016 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/91/full/8827_bc_lions-primary-2016.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

[4] Sports Logos (2021) 6644_calgary_stampeders-primary-2019 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/92/full/6644_calgary_stampeders-primary-2019.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

[5] Sports Logos (2021) edmonton_elks_logo_primary_2021_sportslogosnet-5957 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/6790/full/edmonton_elks_logo_primary_2021_sportslogosnet-5957.png %5BAccessed 31 July 2021]

[6] Sports Logos (2021) 6261_saskatchewan_roughriders-primary-2016 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/98/full/6261_saskatchewan_roughriders-primary-2016.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

[7] Sports Logos (2021) 2517_winnipeg_blue_bombers-primary-2012 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/100/full/2517_winnipeg_blue_bombers-primary-2012.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

[8] Sports Logos (2021) 6242 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/94/full/6242.gif [Accessed 31 July 2021]

[9] Sports Logos (2021) 4816_toronto_argonauts-primary-2021 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/99/full/4816_toronto_argonauts-primary-2021.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

[10] Sports Logos (2021) 9827_ottawa__redblacks-primary-2014 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/5033/full/9827_ottawa__redblacks-primary-2014.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

[11] Sports Logos (2021) 5778_montreal_alouettes-primary-2019 [Internet] Available from: https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/8/95/full/5778_montreal_alouettes-primary-2019.png [Accessed 31 July 2021]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Todd Zboyan, Decy Maher, Steve Hearn and Anton “Pippo” O’Grady

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 10 June 2022

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2022

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

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