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Dan Whelan to become first Irishman in 41 years to play in NFL play-offs as Green Bay win

Dan Whelan is set to become the first Irish-born player to play in the NFL play-offs for 41 years.

The County Wicklow native's Green Bay Packers side defeated the Chicago Bears 17-9 at Lambeau Field on Sunday evening to secure their place in the play-offs.

The last Irishman to do so was kicker Neil O'Donoghue, with the then St Louis Cardinals in 1983.

Punter Whelan made his regular-season NFL debut in September, which was also a victory against the Bears.

The 24-year-old supplanted nine-year veteran Pat O'Donnell for the punter position at Green Bay this season.