Down’s Charlie Smyth kicked the game-winning field-goal for the New Orleans Saints in his first ever NFL game on Saturday.
The Saints got the opportunity with eight seconds left in the game and the 22-year-old from Mayobridge seized the moment, nailing his kick between the posts. It was cheered with great celebrations by his crowd and his team-mates helping the team to a 16-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in their first pre-season game of the season.
It was Smyth’s first ever in-game field-goal attempt having signed for the Saints after coming through the international player pathway. He impressed at the NFL Combine and was then drafted by the New Orleans outfit but all of his kicking has been in practice situations so far.
It was his first taste of the real-deal on Saturday but it was no problem for him, splitting the posts from 37 yards. The cardinals called a time-out in an attempt to un-nerve him but it made no difference.
“No matter the situation, I would have been nervous, but I just told myself to lock in on the process,” Smyth said after the game.
