“It's in our DNA, we’re made for being kickers.” That was 19-year-old Andy Quinn’s straightforward explanation for the recent influx of young Irishmen trading in dreams of Croke Park and Aviva Stadium for a chance at the bright lights - and potential hefty paychecks - of the NCAA and the NFL.
As part of the National Football League’s efforts to win hearts, minds and Euros, etc. from beyond the shores of the United States, the league established the International Player Pathway Program, which allows teams to carry an extra player on its practice squad that does not count against the roster.
This year was the first that specialists, including kickers and punters, were eligible for the IPPP. Hence the Irish influx.
Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth won a contract with the New Orleans Saints; meanwhile fellow GAA goalkeepers Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson failed to find an NFL home, for now at least.
That trio of intercounty goalkeepers received quite a bit of notice from the Irish press but they are not the only Irishmen chasing their American Dream.
The Irish Echo recently spoke to Galway man Quinn via Skype and sat down with Jude McAtamney, a 24-year-old kicker recently signed by the New York Giants.
Jude McAtamney in action.
The two are in very different places on their journey, with McAtamney having competed at the college level for Division II Chowan University in North Carolina for one year before stepping up to NCAA Division I program Rutgers University, while the younger Quinn is attempting to land a scholarship to a U.S. university as a possible first step on his road to the NFL.
An apologetic McAtamney arrived about 30 minutes late to our meeting, underestimating the traffic on the drive from his apartment near MetLife Stadium to Union Square, showing that despite his two years at Rutgers the Derry man continues to adjust to life in the Big Apple and environs.
McAtamney’s adjustment to kicking the oval ball was evidently pretty far along when he showed up to try out for the Giants and hit all 10 of his field goal attempts to secure a contract.
That perfection was hard earned with McAtamney’s journey taking him from Derry, where he was an Ulster U-20 Gaelic football champion in 2018, to Serbia, Australia, North Carolina and now to New York/New Jersey.
It was a journey that began, awkwardly enough, during the dark days of the Covid lockdown and was financed by a 16-month stint working in a warehouse.
The aspiring kicker’s intent was to make his way to a kicking camp in Australia but McAtamney told the Irish Echo, “During Covid I couldn't fly to Australia and me and my colleague had to train somewhere so we could get to the States.”
“The only way to get there,” McAtamney continued with a hint of incredulity, “was to quarantine in Turkey or Serbia, and I went for Serbia.”
McAtamney spent two weeks in quarantine, which he called “an experience in itself.”
The young Irishman eventually found himself kicking for the Chowhan Hawks, a Historically Black College or University, or HBCU, in rural North Carolina.
McAtamney described the school as “very secluded, out in the sticks,” adding, “but It wasn't it wasn't scary or anything.”
He said, “I think the sole dream of trying to get better at kicking is to play somewhere just to get my name out there and get exposure.”
McAtamney felt comfortable in his new environment and with his new teammates and for that he credits “being Irish.”
“Everyone was kind of amazed,” McAtamney explained. “They're happy to see something different and I was well received - and I speak different, so it made for a good mix.”
Though at an earlier point in his journey Andy Quinn is getting a few stamps on his passport as he makes his way in the kicking community.
Andy Quinn.
It was just about a year ago that Quinn caught the kicking and punting bug and scrapped plans for a professional rugby career when he entered and won a kicking contest in front of 45,000 at Aviva Stadium.
Quinn added, “I ended up winning a flight to Chicago by kicking two 45-yard field goals in a row. I sort of found out that I was quite good at it.”
Quinn underlined that notion by pointing out, “my first ever time kicking a football was in front of 45,000 people. So, I was able to hold my nerve.”
Interestingly, although Quinn first caught the eye in a place-kicking competition he sees his future in punting.
“I think if I'm to go beyond college, I'll be a punter,” Quinn said. “I'm six-foot-four and a half, I’ve got the big frame, so I'm more naturally suited to punting.”
From a base at the NFL Academy in the UK Quinn has crisscrossed the United States attending showcases at Boston College, in Ohio, New Jersey and Tennessee to name but a few.
When we spoke, Quinn was getting ready to head to Tennessee for the Colts national scholarship camp, where, he said, “every kicker and punter that wants to go to Division I will be there.”
As the only specialist at the NFL Academy Quinn has gained valuable experience while handling both the kicking and punting duties.
“The stuff that you get to do at the NFL Academy is unbelievable,” an enthused Quinn explained. “You get to travel all across Europe, travel America, play a sport that nobody in Europe plays and you play with the best in the world.
“They just try and find the most freakish athletes and turn them into American football players,” Quinn said of the NFL Academy. “We beat IMG Academy last October. And we're able to beat serious American high schools as well. So, it's a really intense and fun program to be part of.”
Although he seems to be right on track, don't look for Andy Quinn kicking for a Division I college this year, the young Galwegian’s timeline is set for September 2025.
McAtamney is further along his path with just the final step from practice squad to first-team New York Giant remaining to be taken.
