Smyth began playingGaelic football when he was four years old.[2] He first came to prominence as the goalkeeper forDown'sUlster Under-20 Championship winning team in 2020, scoring in every game of the campaign that ended at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.[3]
In 2021, Smyth was the goalkeeper on the Down winning team to lift theUlster Under-20 title, their first since 2009.[4][5] He was one of three players from Down who received honours in the EirGrid All-Ireland Under-20 football awards that year.[6]
In January 2024, Smyth began training to play in theNational Football League (NFL) via theNational Football League'sInternational Player Pathway Program.[9] He participated in theNFL Scouting Combine where he connected on 12 of 16 field goal attempts.[10] At his pro-day, he made 8 of 10 field goals, including one from 60 yards.[10] On 29 March 2024, he signed a three-year contract with theNew Orleans Saints, becoming the first GAA player to sign an NFL contract.[11][12][13] Smyth had sent an email to the NFL in July 2019 asking for a tryout hoping to see if his Gaelic football skills could transfer to the NFL.[14] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to thepractice squad.[15][16] Smyth signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 6, 2025.[17] On August 26, Smyth was waived by the Saints as part of final roster cuts[18] and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[19]
