Kicker McAtamney scores twice for New York Giants in NFL debut

It was a night to remember for Derry native Jude McAtamney as he made his NFL debut for the New York Giants in their 27-22 reverse against Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The good news from the Swatragh man’s point of view is that he produced a 100 percent kicking game by landing both his efforts.

Jude played U-20 football for his native county with whom he won a provincial title four years ago before transferring Stateside to play with Rutgers University. (See an Irish Echo interview with him here from August.)

The door to the big time opened for McAtamney when usual Giants placekicker Greg Joseph suffered an injury which ruled him out of the Washington game.

Jude slotted over the extra-point in the second quarter after Chris Manhertz’s touchdown and later added a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter.

However McAtamney was denied the opportunity to convert two further kicks as his side unsuccessfully pursued two-point conversion attempts.