By Michael McMullan

FORMER Derry underage player Jude McAtamney has become the second Gaelic footballer to sign up for a career in the NFL.

The Swatragh man has signed a three-year deal with the New York Giants.

It follows the news of Mayobridge and Down’s Charlie Smyth putting pen to paper on a deal with New Orleans Saints.

McAtamney kicked frees for Derry on their way to the county’s last u-20 title in 2018 was on trial with the Giants.

It was a squad that included GWS Giants AFL player Callum Brown and Swatragh clubmate Anton Tohill who had a stint with Collingwood.

McAtamney’s journey began during the Covid lockdown when he heard of Kerry’s David Shanahan being snapped up by Georgia Tech, based on his kicking ability.

Soon, Jude was in touch with Shanahan and signed up to Australia based recruitment firm ProKick.

Covid-19 ended hopes of travelling ‘Down Under’ so McAtamney began posting videos of himself on Twitter and later travelled to the USA with Shanahan, to train under the eye of highly rated punt kicking coach Tom Hackett.

McAtamney was granted an athletic scholarship at Chowan University in North Carolina before moving to Rutgers in New Jersey.

The latest chapter saw him go on trial with the New York Giants before signing a three-year deal.