Derry’s Jude McAtamney makes debut for New York Giants

JUDE McAtamney made his debut for the NFL’s New York Giants in a preseason win over the Detroit Lions.

The Swatragh-born former U20 Derry star signed for the blue half of New York after impressing for Rutgers University.

McAtamney kicked a point-after-touchdown and averaged 62.5 yards per kick on his kick-offs.

He shared kicking duties on the night with seasoned veteran Graham Gano, who has Scottish roots.

The Giants ended up winning the game 14-3 thanks to two rushing touchdowns from Eric Gray.

The New York Giants’ next preseason game is against away to the Houston Texans at the NRG Stadium on Saturday, August 17 at 6pm.

The season for the New York Giants kicks off at home in MetLife Stadium, which is actually in New Jersey, against the Minnesota Vikings.

A key clash for Irish NFL/GAA fans will be the week 15 match between the Giants and the New Orleans Saints, which will see former Oakleafer McAtamney come up against Down’s Charlie Smyth.

That game takes place on December 8 at 6pm in New Jersey and will be the first clash of the two former Gaelic footballers in the NFL.

McAtamney first became interested in American Football after seeing fellow Gaelic footballer David Shanahan get a college scholarship with Georgia Tech University.

McAtameny, keen to try and use his talents to take him abroad, sent off film of him kicking balls to college coaches and before long he got a division two scholarship to Chowan University in North Carolina.

After a year, he entered the transfer portal and got an offer from Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he stayed for two years before attempting to go professional.

After impressing at his pro day, McAtamney was invited to try out for the Giants, where he made all 10 of his attempted kicks in front of scouts.

He was signed as an undrafted free agent into Big Blue’s dedicated international player slot.