Judd McAtmanney: The New York Giants punt after defeating the Denver Broncos

The New York Giants released Judd McAtamney after he missed two kicks in Sunday’s 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos.

The 25-year-old former Derry Under-20 Gaelic footballer has played in four NRL games for the Giants after regular kicker Graham Gano was injured.

After being promoted from the practice squad, McAtamney turned in a perfect kicking performance as the Giants beat the previously undefeated Los Angeles Chargers 21-18 at MetLife Stadium, and followed that up by being part of the team that lost to the New Orleans Saints the following week.

He was unable to move up from the practice squad for a third time, so had to be signed to the full 53-man roster to play against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on October 10.

McAtamney celebrated the call-up by making four kicks from five attempts as the Giants ran out a 34-17 winner over the Eagles.

But he dropped two points in a one-point loss to the Broncos on Sunday in which the Giants conceded 33 points in the fourth quarter.

His future has not been confirmed, but he is eligible to return to the Giants’ practice roster via waiver because he is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

McAtmanney helped Derry win the Ulster title in 2020 before moving to the United States to play for Rutgers University.

He joined the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in April 2024 and became the first Irish-born reliever to appear in a regular-season NFL game since 1985 when he stepped in for the injured Gano against the Washington Chiefs in November.