Jude McAtamney: Swatragh native cut from New York Giants’ practice squad

Jude McAtamney has been released from the New York Giants practice squad with his place taken by German tight end Maximilian Mang.

The former Derry U20 Gaelic footballer returned to the Giants’ practice squad in October after missing two extra points in the 33-32 defeat by the Denver Broncos.

McAtamney had played four regular season games following an injury to first choice kicker Graham Gano in September.

The first of those games saw him produce a flawless performance in the 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers before the Giants suffered a defeat away to the New Orleans Saints.

On both of those occasions, McAtamney was elevated from the practice squad, but with rules stipulating he could not be brought in for a third time, he was signed to the team’s full 53-man roster.

The Swatragh native made four kicks out of five as the Giants beat defending Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles 34-17, but would be cut after the one-point defeat by the Broncos who scored all of their points in the fourth quarter.

With Gano continuing to battle injuries, Younghoe Koo has deputised with rookie kicker Ben Sauls added to the practice squad earlier in November.

McAtamney was eligible to retain his place on the practice squad with one spot set aside for the international player pathway, but that has now been taken by Mang.

The 25-year-old initially signed for the Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2024 following a college career with Rutgers University.

Last season, he became the first Irish-born kicker to play in a regular season game since Dublin’s Neil O’Donoghue in 1985 when standing in for the injured Gano against the Washington Commanders.