Ex-Derry GAA star McAtamney ends long Irish drought on NFL bow for NY Giants

FORMER Derry U20 star Jude McAtamney made history this afternoon as he made his debut for the New York Giants.

The Irishman has become the first player from the Emerald Isle to score a point in the league for 39 years.

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The former All-Ireland under-twenty champion kicked the extra-point in the second-quarter after a Chris Manhertz touchdown.

It came during their match against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Swatragh native McAtamney went on to land 100% of his four kicks for the Giants.

But unfortunately his side dropped the seventh game of the season in a 22-27 loss to Washington.

They now move to 2-7 in the National Football Conference East division.

The Washington Commanders now move to 7-2 in the conference with the win at Metlife.

He first made the move into the sport in 2020 after being inspired by fellow Irishman David Shanahan’s leap into American football.

He trained in the U.S. before playing college football first at Chowan University before transferring to Rutgers University.

He set a record there in 2023 with 40 touchbacks on 60 attempts.

After going undrafted in 2024, McAtamney joined the New York Giants through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

He made his preseason debut in August, marking history as the first Irish-born player for the Giants.

And with starting kicker Graham Gano sidelined by injury, McAtamney was promoted from the practice squad before his regular-season NFL debut on Sunday.