Ulster duo delisted ahead of the new NFL season

FORMER Ulster GAA players Jude McAtamney and Charlie Smyth have missed out on their clubs’ rosters ahead of the new NFL season, although it doesn’t mean that they will make their exits.

Mayobridge man Smyth was Down’s goalkeeper in their 2021 Ulster u-20 winning team, while McAtamney, from Swatragh, was a long-range free-taker when Derry landed the title three years earlier

McAtamney (New York Giants) and Smyth (New Orleans Saints) aren’t initially part of their teams’ plans but the Derry man may yet to be added to the Giants’ practice squad while Smyth could be back on the Saints’ roster as their is wiggle room due to the fact the player came through the International Player Pathway. Both may also be picked up by another franchise in the mean time.

McAtamney, for now, has lost out to Graham Gano as the New York Giants put together their roster for the year, having played during pre-season.

Symth misses out with Blake Grupe getting the nod despite having featured strongly in their warm-up games.

It comes in a week when Jack Cassidy, from McAtamney’s neighbouring club Sleacht Néill, sat out the first game for his club Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, a win over Sam Houston, as he embarks on a new career

Another former Derry goalkeeper, Jack Scullion, is on the books of Rutgers University in New Jersey. The Lavey man played in all their games last season.