Watch: Jude McAtamney becomes first Irishman to score NFL points in 39 years
DIFFERENT FOOTBALL: Derry's Jude McAtamney made history on Sunday night as he became the first Irishman in 39 years to score points in the NFL. Pic: ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
Jude McAtamney made history on Sunday night as he became the first Irishman in 39 years to score points in the NFL.
Following Daniel Jones's passing touchdown for the New York Giants against the Washington Commanders, the Derry native was called into action to kick the field goal.
Not since Dublin's Neil O'Donoghue scored for the St. Louis Cardinals back on the 27th of October 1985 has an Irishman registered a score in the NFL.
But that long wait has now been ended as McAtamney added the extra point for the first coversion of his professional American football career.
McAtamney, who won an U20 Ulster football title with Derry in 2020, has now joined Daniel Whelan of the Green Bay Packers as an active Irish player in the league, becoming the first player from Derry to play in a regular season NFL game in the process.
Following that opening score of his career, the 24-year-old kicked another field goal, this time from 31-yards but ultimately, despite scoring both his kicks in the game, he couldn't prevent the Giants from falling to a 27-22 defeat at MetLife Stadium.
McAtamney also kicked three touchbacks from kickoffs during the loss - their third in a row for a win-loss record of 2-7 overall - meaning that he kicked from his own 35-yard line and sent the ball past the opponent’s endzone for a distance of over 60 yards on each occasion.
Jude’s hometown of Swatragh definitely enjoyed the Irishman’s first career field goal 🇮🇪 (via @Michael_NFL) https://t.co/mRePIGImXQ pic.twitter.com/uDvXQ9fEiy
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) November 3, 2024
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