Tyrone keeper Niall Morgan swapped minding the nets for putting the ball in the back of the net as his Edendork team hammered Kildress 3-25 to 0-14 in the Tyrone Intermediate Championship last night.
Morgan scored 1-5 in total on the night.
While we don't expect Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan to be considering a positional swap for the All-Star goalkeeper of 2021, the performance highlighted Morgan's versatility and abilities out the field. There are not many fullbacks, let alone goalkeepers, finishing matches with 1-5 to their name.
Lining out as full-back for his club side, the All-Ireland winner didn't take long to get on the scoresheet. Showcasing his kicking ability, he converted a free to make it 2 points apiece.
Shortly after the restart, the 31-year-old was called into action, and duly delivered, converting two long range frees.
With the game nearly over, Morgan got his goal after being set up by his teammate Stephen Gervin. His fellow county star Darren McCurry also impressed for Edendork, scoring 1-6.
Morgan, of course, is a brilliant soccer player who played with Dungannon Swifts for a number of seasons.
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Pinpoint Accuracy
Morgan was allowed this roving role in part of goalkeeper Mark McReynolds, who had a strong display between the posts.
The Tyrone side can afford to have Morgan outfield judging by his kickouts which had a success rate of 95%.
Evolution of the Position
Goalkeepers getting outfield experience is something Niall Morgan thinks is important due to the evolution of the role in the game. Speaking to the BBC The GAA Social's podcast in June this year, the net minder feels that it isn't long before we'll see the position dramatically change.
It isn't going to be long before a team county or club level plays without an orthodox goalkeeper. What I mean by that is nearly a last man back system. There will be somebody in the fullback line that hit a kickout if the goalkeeper is up the pitch. I do think that will happen at some stage soon. I definitely think it's going to take off now.
Enjoying the split season
Speaking to Tyrone GAA afterwards, the county star stated that he is enjoying the conditions that come with a split season and doesn't think that any other county player will be coming out against it.
That's the joys you get out of a split season, the county boys are coming back now, we played 11 or 12 games in the league and now we're playing championship early in the year and I don't think any county player will come out against the split season. I think it just sums it up here tonight like whenever you're playing on a Monday evening at half 7 and it's perfect conditions for football.
Niall Morgan contributed 1-5 to the Edebdork tally in their impressive win over Kildress. Niall was impressed by the young upcoming stars in the Edendork side. pic.twitter.com/jqWLfoDoVE
— Tyrone GAA (@TyroneGAALive) September 19, 2022
Following The Trend
Morgan isn't the only intercounty goalkeeper to be scoring at the opposite end recently. Kerry's Shane Ryan scored 0-3 for East Kerry in the full forward position in their championship win over Kerin O'Rahillys, and he added another two points for the division side as they beat Spa at the weekend.
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