Charlie Smyth’s second NFL start saw him kick three extra points and one field goal in New Orleans Saints’ shock 24-20 win over division rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite missing an earlier 48-yard attempt, the former Gaelic footballer’s 30-yard field goal tied the game at 17-17 in the closing minutes of the third quarter.
The Saints, who had previously won just twice all season, then sealed victory thanks to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s second touchdown run of the game with eight and a half minutes remaining.
Smyth added the extra point on all three of the Saints’ touchdowns in the game.
The Bucs are still top of the NFC South division but are now tied with the Carolina Panthers with a 7-6 record. The Saints, meanwhile, remain bottom of the standings at 3-10.
The 24-year-old Smyth made his regular-season debut for the Saints in the defeat by the Miami Dolphins last week after previous starting kicker Blake Grupe was waived.
The Mayobridge native registered his first points in the NFL with a 56-yarder in the first field goal attempt of his career.
He also managed an onside kick in the game, but could not prevent his side from falling to a 21-17 reverse.
Smyth is only the third placekicker from the island of Ireland to feature in a regular NFL game, after Neil O’Donoghue between 1977 and 1985 and Jude McAtamney in each of the past two seasons.
Former Down goalkeeper Smyth had been a member of Saints’ practice squad as part of the NFL’s international player pathway programme after signing his first contract in March 2024.
The Saints next play against the Panthers in New Orleans on Sunday, 14 December.
