ARMAGH goalkeeper Paddy McAteer will join a Division One American college football team on a full scholarship.
The Mullaghbawn native is making the trip to Troy University in Alabama and will be a placekicker for their team, the Troy Trojans.
Their preseason training camp started on August 1 but McAteer is aiming to get over as soon as possible to prepare for the start of the college season in September.
In a commitment event at Armagh City Hotel, McAteer announced his decision to family and friends.
“It was very very heartwarming for definite, I’ll cherish that memory,” said McAteer after the announcement.
“It provides a why for you as well, inspiring the younger generation but also doing it for everyone in that room.”
The Cúchulainns clubman first kicked an American football in March this year after being inspired by his fellow St Colman’s alumnus and St Mary’s College student Charlie Smyth, who signed with the New Orleans Saints NFL team earlier this year.
The announcement came days after the Orchard County won the All-Ireland SFC after beating Galway in Croke Park, also, during the announcement, Magheralin’s Daniel Wiffen won gold at the Paris Olympics in the 800m freestyle.
Speaking about the sporting week for the county, McAteer said: “It’s been something else the last couple of days, Armagh I don’t think has slept in general.
“The last time they won it, I wasn’t even born and you don’t know when it’s going to happen again.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys and they;ve been really supportive of my journey as well.”
The 20-year-old is close with Ethan Rafferty, who was on the bench in Croke Park and man of the match winner Oisín Conaty, who also attends St Mary’s, both of whom sent messages of support when he told them that he would be making the jump across the pond.
He will be hoping to soak up the last few days with his family and friends, but then he knows what is ahead of him.
“After that it’s just about getting out there, doing my job and showing America what Irish people can do with the kicking,” said the former inter-county squad member.
McAteer got this opportunity after collaborating with Leader Kicking, which is run by Tadhg Leader, the same coach who sent fellow GAA players Charlie Smyth, Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson to the NFL combine this year.
The Orchardman will join Lavey goalkeeper Jake Scullion in the States after he secured a full scholarship to Rutgers University in New Jersey, the same college former Derry underage star Jude McAtamney attended before being signed by the New York Giants.
McAteer will hope to be involved in the Trojans’ first game of the season against Nevada on September 1.
