Smyth secured his first Saints contract last March after impressing in the NFL Combine, which was a series of trials for aspiring American Footballers.

As an Ulster Under-20 Championship winner with Down in 2021, Smyth had a bright goalkeeping future in Gaelic football, the sport he had played his entire life.

However, after deciding to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, he started to train with Tadhg Leader, a kicking coach for the NFL international player pathway (IPP) programme.

Along with Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan, Wicklow’s Mark Jackson and former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader, Smyth attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Having impressed at the Combine and at pro-day trials, Smyth was invited to the Saints’ training facility before signing a contract.

While he later missed out on a place in the Saints’ roster, practice squad members remain on the books of their original teams in a pool of players that will continue to train and are on hand should injuries occur.