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Jude McAtamney has been released by the New York Giants after he missed two kicks in Sunday’s 33-32 defeat by the Denver Broncos.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 25-year-old former Derry Under-20 gaelic footballer played in four NFL matches for the Giants after an injury to regular kicker Graham Gano.<\/p>\n
After being elevated from the practice squad, McAtamney produced a perfect kicking performance as the Giants beat the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers 21-18 at MetLife Stadium, and he followed that up by being part of the team which lost to the New Orleans Saints the next week.<\/p>\n
He was unable to be elevated from the practice squad for a third time so had to be signed to the full 53-man roster in order to play against defending Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles on 10 October.<\/p>\n
McAtamney celebrated that call-up by making four kicks from five attempts as the Giants ran out 34-17 winners over the Eagles.<\/p>\n
But he missed two points in the one-point loss to the Broncos on Sunday as the Giants conceded 33 points in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
His future has not been confirmed, but he is eligible to return to the Giants’ practice roster through exemption as he is part of the NFL’s international player pathway programme.<\/p>\n
McAtamney helped Derry win an Ulster title in 2020 before moving to the United States to play with Rutgers University.<\/p>\n
He joined the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2024 and became the first Irish-born placekicker to feature in a regular NFL game since 1985 when he stepped in for the injured Gano against the Washington Commanders in November.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n