The small community of Mayobridge in Northern Ireland erupted in excitement as a pivotal moment unfolded 4,000 miles away in Miami on Sunday.
Local star Charlie Smyth made a memorable debut for the New Orleans Saints against the Miami Dolphins after patiently waiting in the practice squad.
His opportunity came when he was promoted to the active roster just a day prior, stepping in for Blake Grupe, who had been released the previous week. Smyth seized this moment to shine on the NFL stage.
Once a goalkeeper for Down in GAA, Smyth found his way into the NFL through the International Player Pathway. He scored his first career points with a successful field goal attempt during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.
The 24-year-old’s impressive 56-yard kick narrowed the score to 11-19, bringing the Saints within reach of a touchdown and a two-point conversion against the Dolphins. This achievement set off jubilant celebrations back in County Down.
Michael McQuaid, an Irish NFL correspondent, captured the moment, sharing a video from a bustling Mayobridge pub where locals gathered eagerly around a TV.
Former Gaelic football player Charlie Smyth made his NFL debut for the Saints on Sunday
Smyth’s hometown of Mayobridge went wild as he scored his first NFL points
The crowd crammed around television screen in a pub to watch Smyth in the Saints’ game
As Smyth’s attempt sailed through the posts, they began raucously celebrating, cheering and waving their arms in the air, in a wholesome scene.
McQuaid likened the atmosphere to a ‘mini Super Bowl,’ claiming that many viewers were already making plans to return for the Saints’ clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday.
Smyth also executed a sensational onside kick late in the fourth quarter to help prolong the Saints’ comeback attempt.
Although New Orleans was unable to complete the rally against the Dolphins, falling to a 21-17 loss, Smyth still managed to impress.
Smyth was idle on the sideline for the entire first half as New Orleans was held scoreless and was only called upon twice, but he may have locked himself in as the Saints’ new primary kicker.
‘Charlie, I thought, kicked really well. Big-time field goal. The onside kick obviously was really well-kicked. Phenomenal kick there and put us in a position to have a chance at the end,’ Saints head coach Kellen Moore said.
‘Charlie’s earned this opportunity. We have a lot of confidence in him. He obviously has the leg to make some big-time kicks.
‘That (field goal) was a challenging situation, but it was a situation we needed to get some points there and he drilled it, and it was a phenomenal kick by him.’
Irish NFL reporter Michael McQuaid likened the atmosphere to a ‘mini Super Bowl’
Mayobridge Gaelic Athletic Club also watched the kicker make his debut at the weekend
The kicker scored a 56-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter against the Dolphins
The former Down keeper bagged his first career points with his first field goal attempt
Smyth, who came to the Saints in 2024 as part of the NFL´s International Player Pathway program, kicked in the preseason in 2024 and 2025, hitting all four attempts this past summer, including two from 50-plus yards.
The Saints then sent him too Dallas to work with a place-kicking specialist during this season. During practice, Smyth has been observed hitting field goals from 65 yards.
The Saints elevated Smyth from the practice squad this week to take over placekicking and kickoff duties. He replaced Grupe, who was cut on Tuesday after his two missed field-goal.
‘It took a long time, and you say, “I feel ready, I feel ready.’ But the coaches know what they’re doing,” Smyth said of his opportunity. ‘We didn’t envision being like this because Blake´s been so good. Again, I´ve learned so much from him.’
As soon as he learned he would be kicking on Sunday, Smyth contacted his parents back home. Smyth’s parents and two sisters quickly arranged travel plans to be at Hard Rock Stadium. After a whirlwind 23 hours of travel delays and connecting flights, Smyth’s family made it to the game.
‘If we had to wait another three or four hours longer, I don´t think it would have been possible,’ Smyth said of the turnaround time between the moment he received the news and his parents making the flight. ‘It was so awesome to see them here.’
