McAtamney moves a step closer to NFL debut

An opportunity of a lifetime for Swatragh’s Jude McAtamney is on the horizon in New York.

Starting kicker for the New York Giants Graham Gano will reportedly be out for a number of weeks after injuring his hamstring in the Giants’ loss against the Washington Commanders at the weekend.

Gano injured himself during the opening kickoff, with punter Jamie Gillian filling in on the day as McAtamney was not active.

A former Derry U20 player, McAtamney won an Ulster U20 title in 2020, before moving to the United States to play with Rutgers University.

McAtamney recently graduated from Rutgers in New Jersey, where he was an honours student majoring in labor and employment relations.

In his first season with Rutgers, McAtamney made 12 out of 18 field goal attempts, with his longest attempt from 49 yards, as well as making 23 out of 24 extra-point attempts.

In his second year, the Swatragh man was used primarily on kickoffs, making a school record 40 touchbacks during the season.

The Derry man impressed during a pro day with the Giants and was signed as part of the International Player Pathway, which allows international players to be part of a team for up to a period of three years.

Down’s Charlie Smyth of the New Orleans Saints is in a similar position, awaiting his chance. Now it seems that the Swatragh man has an open opportunity in New York.

This is not the first time in recent months that Gano has been injured with the Giants. Last year, the kicker missed the end of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

In his debut with the Giants in preseason, McAtamney scored both field goal attempts, becoming the first Irish-born player for the historic New York franchise. In his moments during preseason, McAtamney has looked calm and focused.

On Monday, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that the team will hold an open workout for the kicking position, which would include McAtamney.

“We’ll make a decision off of the workout,” Daboll said.

Daboll decided not to elevate the Derry man from the practice squad on Sunday, even when the team were aware that Gano was not fully fit. That decision has been heavily criticised locally in New York, with the Giants eventually losing by a field goal.

McAtamney practices on Monday and Tuesday alongside other players, such as Randy Bullock, who has played with the Giants previously in 2023 as a replacement for Gano.

Being in-house could be an advantage for McAtamney and regardless of the decision, he is expected to remain on the roster as an international player at the very least.

The New York Giants are scheduled to play the Cleveland Browns at 6pm on Sunday.