“That’s a massive kick, and to take that on took a lot of courage.”
In a game that seemed to have absolutely everything, Niall Morgan did something that potentially had never been done before at inter-county championship level.
Right at the stroke of half-time, Tyrone had a free-kick just in front of the half-way line, and normally would have been tapped laterally to a teammate and play would commence.
However, because the game was about to be blown up, the Tyrone goalkeeper decided to take on the show, which was over 70m out from goal.
People were scoffing as they watched him line it up, thinking surely he’s stupid going for this.
That was until it swung over the bar, and the Ulster side went down the tunnel for half-time with their tails up.
Speaking on the GAA Hour, Colm Parkinson explained his thought process as he watch the Edendork man set up his shot.
“On a lighter note, what about the Niall Morgan point from half way?
“I was Tweeting about this, I went: ‘Niall Morgan is actually trying a point from the half-way line’ with a couple of smiley faces.
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/1431635818171486218
“Then he did. Then he put it over, that’s probably the longest, I don’t think Beggan has done one from that distance.”
A former teammate of Morgan, Colm Cavanagh, was also on the show, and was equally amazed.
“I don’t know, I was trying to check that out, I don’t believe he (Beggan) has. Look it was one of them ones at the stage of the game where, if it goes over, then unbelievable.
“Last kick of the half, there was no risk in it, but as you say there’s a bit of a wind there like, that’s a massive kick, and to take that on took a lot of courage I would say, because if he had of fluffed it, or put it wide, it would have been fairly… a lot of people on his back.
https://twitter.com/AnalysisGaa/status/1432454194812829696
“But, an unbelievable kick like, I don’t think you’ll see many more that’s going to go from that range, but maybe Beggan will have a go maybe next year at some point, from a bit further out.
“But then the flipside of that, he tried one from a real tight angle after that. I seen, I think it was Frank Burns, shouting at him when he was running back.
“I think Frank Burns had a few choice words for taking it on.
“But at that stage in the game, you know the last kick of the play, why not like?”
