Charlie Smyth capped off his first home NFL regular season game in style on Sunday night, with a 47-yard winning field goal with six seconds left on the clock that gave the New Orleans Saints the win over their NFC South rival Carolina Panthers.
This was Smyth's third regular season start for the Saints and the former Down GAA player also kicked two extra points, along with a 42-yard field goal earlier in the game.
Before the game-winning kick was made, the Saints were down 17-7 and came back with help from the Mayobridge man, who kicked his first of two field goals.
Wide receiver Chris Olave's touchdown brought the game back within one point, with Smyth kicking the extra point.
After that, the Panthers struggled in the fourth quarter, with quarterback Bryce Young only converting one first down, which meant the Saints had another chance to score and win the game.
Smyth was composed, even when the Panthers tried to put him off by calling a timeout before the winning attempt.
His kick gave the Saints their second win in a row after they won on the road against fellow NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.
Charlie Smyth hits a 47-yd FG to give the #Saints a 20-17 lead!!!!
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2025
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/9A4kPh8QQg
The moment was the culmination of a two-year journey, starting with the Down man making the transition from playing GAA to American football for the first time, travelling to Indianapolis to take part in the NFL Combine through the NFL International Player Pathway with coach Tadhg Leader.
"I’m just delighted to get the opportunity," Smyth said after the game.
"If you told me probably just over 27 months or so, if you told me I'd be getting a game in the NFL, I probably would have laughed at you.
NFL ROUND-UP: Smyth nails winning kick; Mahomes tears ACL
"Even would I ever thought I'd have the chance of coming over here and playing sport, even in college or whatever, because I didn't know what way the eligibility system worked. But just the way things panned out, it's been really a dream scenario.
"Coming from myself, I've been such a fan of the sport for so long and always thought I could kind of do it."
Due to Smyth’s contractual status with the team, he cannot be elevated again from the practice squad to the main roster.
If Smyth is to feature against the New York Jets next weekend in the next game for the Saints, he will need to be signed to the 53-man roster, which will likely mean a significant pay rise for the 24-year-old.
"I'm part of the practice squad and I want to be a part of this team," he added. "It really feels like home here. I feel like I have two homes now, Now Orleans and Mayobridge."
"CHARLIE! CHARLIE! CHARLIE!"
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2025
In the #Saints locker room after the dramatic win vs the Panthers 🙌 pic.twitter.com/m1Wp5N6ZFJ
He has certainly helped himself after Sunday's performance, with Saints head coach Kellen Moore raving about his kicking ability after the win - even stating that the team would have been happy for Smyth to try a 66-yard attempt.
To put that into context, the NFL record is 68 yards, made by Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this season.
"This team has so much confidence in him", Moore said.
"The guys are fired up for him - and for him to make that kick executed at that high of a level… it was awesome."
