Charlie Smyth: ‘Here we go’ – What’s it like to make your NFL debut?

Smyth said the support, whether that be those close to home or some famous faces such as golf legend Padraig Harrington or GAA star Paudie Clifford, was “unbelievable”.

But in the midst of the noise surrounding his NFL debut, Smyth said he made a call to “shut off the outside world” whenever he got on the flight to Miami.

“I want to give everyone at home as many days like Sunday as possible, and the only way I can do that is by being selfish almost, and shutting off.

“The messages were unbelievable, but I want to perform to my best and you can kind of get distracted by that.”

After the highs of making his NFL debut, Smyth says he has had to remind himself about a self-imposed “24 hour rule”.

As successful as his debut was, Smyth wants to be there for the long haul and his attentions are now on the Saints’ game with Tampa Bay on Sunday.

“Whatever emotions come up from the previous game, you either get to enjoy them or feel sorry for yourself for a day.

“But after that, you have to move on.

“That’s easier said than done but you really have to get yourself in the mindset of that because this is an unforgiving business.”

An unforgiving business is an understatement.

Smyth only got his chance when the experienced Grupe was waived after costly missed field goals.

And if he wanted to look closer to home he needs to only see what happened to Jude McAtameny, another former gaelic football player, who started well for the New York Giants before he was unceremoniously cut after a number of missed kicks.

“Everyone thinks you are great because you’ve made one kick, but if you go and miss an extra point of a field goal in the fourth quarter then the fans might not like you as much,” Smyth said.

“I’m in the mind space that I’m feeling so confident with how my kicking has gone lately, that I want to keep that going. When it’s time to kick the only thing i’m thinking about is making it.”