NFL Dreams Dashed: Irish Prospects Cut From Rosters

Two Irish players hoping to make their mark in the NFL have faced disappointment, with both Charlie Smyth and Jude McAtamney failing to secure places on their respective teams' 53-man rosters for the upcoming season.

Smyth, a former Down Gaelic football goalkeeper, was released by the New Orleans Saints. The 25-year-old had signed a three-year deal with the Saints in March after graduating through the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) programme.

Smyth's performance during pre-season had offered a glimpse of his potential. In a pre-season contest earlier this month, he kicked a 37-yard field goal in the final seconds to secure a 16-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. However, he ultimately lost out on the Saints' starting kicker position to Blake Grupe.

Despite his recent release, Smyth's journey may not be over. He could potentially be added to the Saints' practice squad or be signed by another team seeking a talented kicker.

Meanwhile, former Derry Under-20s Gaelic footballer Jude McAtamney also faces a challenging path ahead. Despite impressing in the Giants' recent pre-season defeat to the New York Jets, kicking two successful field goals from 23 and 43 yards, he has not been awarded a place on the Giants' main roster.

Both Smyth and McAtamney's experiences highlight the competitive nature of the NFL. While their initial attempts to break into the league have been unsuccessful, their talent and pre-season performances suggest that they may not be done with their respective NFL aspirations. Both players could still find opportunities to showcase their skills and potentially secure a place on an NFL team in the future.