Smyth's debut NFL season ends in loss to Falcons

Charlie Smyth made three of four kicks as the New Orleans Saints' season came to a close with a 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The former Gaelic footballer from County Down in Northern Ireland kicked a 29-yard-field goal in the third quarter and added the extra point after both of his side's two touchdowns.

The 24-year-old did, however, miss a 56-yard field goal and the game ended when his onside kick attempt was gathered by the Falcons.

The NFC South divisional defeat saw the Saints finish the season with a 6-11 record.

Both sides came into the game out of play-off contention yet there was still plenty riding on the contest for other teams.

Given the meeting's impact on strength of schedule calculations, the Falcons' victory ensured the Carolina Panthers won the division and advanced to the play-offs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat the Panthers on Saturday night, would have made the play-offs at Carolina's expense had the Saints been victorious but instead their season is over.

Former GAA goalkeeper Smyth was signed to the Saints' practice squad as part of the NFL's international player pathway programme in March 2024.

He was first elevated to the active roster in November and started in each of the team's final six games of the season.

During the run, Smyth made a game-winning kick against the Carolina Panthers, tied a franchise record with five successful field goals against the New York Jets and was rewarded with a new three-year contract after his promotion to the 53-man roster.

Across the season, he made 12 of 16 field goal attempts with a long of 57 yards and was successful on all 13 of his extra points.