Charlie Smyth’s NFL Debut Sends Shockwaves from Miami to Mayobridge
When Charlie Smyth’s 56-yard field goal split the uprights at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the roar didn’t just come from the Saints’ sideline - it echoed all the way across the Atlantic, where a packed pub in Mayobridge, Northern Ireland, erupted in celebration. This wasn’t just a kick. It was a moment - the kind that connects continents, generations, and dreams.
Smyth, the 24-year-old former Gaelic football goalkeeper from County Down, made his long-awaited NFL debut on Sunday for the New Orleans Saints against the Miami Dolphins. And he made it count.
Elevated from the practice squad just a day prior to replace Blake Grupe - who was waived earlier in the week - Smyth stepped into the spotlight with the poise of a seasoned pro. His first NFL points came on his very first field goal attempt: a booming 56-yarder in the fourth quarter that cut the Saints’ deficit to 19-11, putting them within striking distance of a comeback. It wasn’t just a long kick - it was a clutch one, delivered with the game on the line and pressure at its peak.
Back in Mayobridge, the reaction was pure joy. A local pub, packed with supporters, exploded into cheers as the kick sailed through.
Arms flew into the air, pints were raised, and for a moment, a small town in Northern Ireland felt like it was hosting its own Super Bowl. According to Irish NFL reporter Michael McQuaid, the atmosphere was electric - and fans were already making plans to return for next week’s Saints game against the Buccaneers.
But Smyth wasn’t done.
Later in the fourth quarter, with the Saints still chasing the game, he delivered a textbook onside kick - the kind that doesn’t just require leg strength, but precision and nerve. It was executed perfectly, giving New Orleans a late shot at a comeback. And while the Saints ultimately fell short, losing 21-17 to the Dolphins, Smyth’s performance was one of the game’s brightest takeaways.
“He kicked really well,” said Saints head coach Kellen Moore. “Big-time field goal.
The onside kick was phenomenal. He put us in a position to have a chance at the end.”
Moore didn’t stop there.
“Charlie’s earned this opportunity. We have a lot of confidence in him.
He obviously has the leg to make some big-time kicks,” Moore said. “That was a challenging situation, but we needed points, and he drilled it.”
It’s been a long road to this moment for Smyth. After joining the Saints in 2024 through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, he spent the last two preseasons quietly building his résumé - going 4-for-4 on field goal attempts this past summer, including two from beyond 50 yards.
The Saints saw the potential. They even sent him to Dallas during the season to work with a place-kicking specialist - a move that paid off.
In practice, Smyth has been spotted hitting from as far as 65 yards. But until this week, he was still waiting for his shot.
That shot came after Grupe’s struggles led to his release. And Smyth was ready.
“It took a long time, and you say, ‘I feel ready, I feel ready,’” Smyth said. “But the coaches know what they’re doing.
We didn’t envision it being like this because Blake’s been so good. I’ve learned so much from him.”
As soon as he found out he’d be kicking on Sunday, Smyth called home. His parents and two sisters scrambled to book flights, battling travel delays and tight connections. But after a whirlwind 23-hour journey, they made it to Hard Rock Stadium in time to see Charlie’s NFL dream become reality.
And what a debut it was.
From GAA fields in Northern Ireland to the NFL spotlight in South Florida, Charlie Smyth’s journey is one of perseverance, preparation, and seizing the moment. He didn’t just make a kick - he made a statement. And if Sunday was any indication, the Saints may have found their kicker of the future.