James McCourt makes perfect start to Jaguars life

The NFL's preseason is recognised as a notoriously unreliable barometer of how teams and players will perform when the regular season finally gets under way, but Dublin-born kicker James McCourt thrust himself into the spotlight with an impressive performance in the Jacksonville Jaguars' loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.

McCourt, who moved with his family to Florida at the age of eight, was claimed by the Jaguars off waivers after being released by the Los Angeles Chargers a week ago.

The 24-year-old converted both of his attempted extra points in preseason with the Chargers, but did not have a field goal attempt.

When Jaguars coach Doug Pederson presented McCourt with the opportunity to make a couple of three-pointers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the University of Illinois alumnus proved unerringly accurate, with the highlight of his afternoon a 54-yard field goal.

.@Jaguars grab an early 3-0 lead over the Falcons