Smyth scores 55-yard field goal in Saints defeat

Kicker Charlie Smyth landed a late 55-yard field goal, but it was not enough to stop the New Orleans Saints falling to a 20-17 defeat against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.The former Gaelic footballer, from Mayobridge in County Down, was making his second NFL appearance of the season after being elevated from the practice squad for a second successive week.The 25-year-old helped the Saints to an overtime win against Cleveland Browns last weekend with three field goals and two extra points and he was almost the hero again against the Panthers.Smyth, who also kicked two extra points, landed a 55-yard field goal with just 41 seconds left in regulation time to tie the game at 17-17.However, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's drive set up kicker Ryan Fitzgerald to score a 54-yard field goal on the final play to win the game.