Rory Beggan had his best season yet in a Monaghan jersey as the Farney men reached the All-Ireland semi final for the first time in 30 years.
Beggan was flawless in his performances. His distribution was second to none and his free taking excellent, he was like a quarterback, and helped to take the pressure of Conor McManus, who for so long has carried this Monaghan side.
Unfortunately, their season ended with a heartbreaking one point defeat to Tyrone in a war of attrition that went right down to the wire.
With Tyrone leading by a point and the game entering the final few seconds, Monaghan’s goalie popped up on the half-way line. The fact he was seen wanting the ball half way out the field was’t surprising, what was surprising though was his decision to take on a shot from all of 55/60 metres.
Looking back, Beggan admits he got a rush of blood to his head and took the wrong decision.
“I suppose in the aftermath, I did think about it. Obviously it wasn’t the right decision. At the final whistle, I kind of knew that. I just sort of closed the eyes and go ‘what was I doing?’”.
“Maybe it was a wee bit of rush of blood when I got up the field. Why was I up that far? I don’t know. But look it, I felt that I took the wrong decision. I regretted it for a couple of days but then, you can’t think for too long.”
The roving goalkeeper is something that Kieran McGeeney experimented with two season ago in Armagh’s Ulster championship defeat to Cavan. On that day, Paul Courtney – an outfield player – started in goals for the Orchard county and proceeded to bomb forward at every opportunity.
Unfortunately, it did not work out well for Armagh who lost the game.
However, the role was perfected this year by Laois No.1 Graham Brody, who was instrumental in their comeback win over Wexford, and continued to star as they made it to the Leinster final.
Beggan believes it is something we are going to be seeing a lot more off, but highlights that goalkeepers need not forget their number one priority, to protect the goals.
“I think there’s a lot more goalkeepers doing it at club level. Too many keepers are doing it but there is obviously a line that you don’t cross in terms of goalkeeping. Your main job is to protect the goal.“Goalkeepers can play football too. A lot of inter county goalkeepers play outfield for their clubs. It would not be any new territory for them to go up and kick a point.
“I think you’re going to see in the next year or two that some goalkeepers are going to start scoring. I think it is inevitable but I think it’s adventurous. I enjoyed watching Graham Brody this year. I think he single-handedly brought them back into the game against Wexford.“When he did it they stuck him in at corner forward at one stage but if teams want to use it it’s an option. Keepers are never marked so give them the ball.”
“It’s nice to be in the mix. It’s not something you set out at the start of the year, you don’t set out to get an All-Star.“You set out to be the best ‘keeper you can be for your team, and if that can help your team, that’s the main thing. If a nomination comes at the end of the year, so be it.
“But it’s nice to be nominated, especially beside the two boys who had serious seasons as well.“If I don’t win it in two weeks’ time, so be it. I’m not going to obsess over it. It’s obviously a huge honour for yourself and your family and your club to win one. It would be great to win it, but at the end of the day, if you don’t you don’t.” Beggan said.
Scotstown and Monaghan goalkeeper, Rory Beggan was in attendance as AIB proudly launched the 28th season of their sponsorship of the GAA and Camogie Club Championships. Beggan was there to officially mark the 2018/19 AIB Club GAA and Camogie Championship season. He now steps back onto the pitch with his club, Scotstown to prepare for a crack at Provincial and All-Ireland glory.
