Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan doesn't fear the new rules like maybe other shot stoppers do, and would rather see the game become more entertaining , even if it means limiting his own involvement.
Beggan and Tyrone's Niall Morgan are the two most effective keepers in the country right now when it comes to attacking, joining the play, and balancing that with more traditional skills like high fetching and making big saves.
However, if the new rules that prevent players from passing the ball back to the keeper in their own half means that his time on the ball will be limited, then the Farney man is willing to make that sacrifice.
Speaking on The Puke Football Podcast at the launch of the AIB Club Championship, Beggan explains why he is excited about the potential changes and watching them in action at the inter-provincial matches.
The Puke Interview: Rory Beggan
- NFL experience, the highs and lows🏈
- Surprise at Vinny Corey leaving 😲
- The new county management team 🆕
- Watching the new rules in the & what he thinks of them🤔
- How he thinks he will adapt to the new rules if they are brought in🔥 pic.twitter.com/YqgRbGn4xD— Lee Costello (@PukeFootballPod) October 16, 2024
If it improves the game as a spectacle I don't mind. I'm a player, I want to win, and I don't care how the game looks when I'm playing, but when I'm watching it, I want to see a good game.
"So if it is going to impact the game in a good way, I'm all for it. Niall (Morgan) this weekend will test them rules to the best, and he is the best man to test these rules for the keeper side of it.
"You are going to see a lot more teams pressing high because there is no filter back out to the goalkeeper, you are going to see a lot of that, and you're going to see a lot more one vs one take-ons back in defence again.
"You will maybe see more kicking out of defence as well hopefully, and you are still going to see the keeper join the attack in the opposite side of the field, which means there is going to be a lot more space for that goalkeeper in that half of the pitch because it will be a 12 vs 11, so it will be interesting to see how it works out this weekend.
"If it is going to improve the game as a spectacle then I'm all for it, as I said I'm a fan of the GAA, I want to see it at its best, and it has not been at its best for the last two or three years."
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In recent years the trend among GAA managers has been to put an outfield player in goal, and really take advantage of the amount of possession they have by giving that role to an attacking player.
Armagh's Ethan Rafferty is probably the standout example of this, but with the new rules designed to make more goal chances, then traditional goalkeeping skills will be more important than ever.
Footballer Rory Beggan (Scotstown,Monaghan) pictured at the launch of this year’s AIB Club Championships which for the first season sees a single sponsor unite four codes of Gaelic Games, honouring #TheToughest players. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
If the way we want the game to go, and we have three up top, and a turnover up here, the first thing you are going to think is let's get a kick in here because it is three vs three.
"What is going to happen is, if you're three vs three, then you're going to try your best to work a goal straight away and hopefully we see a lot more goal chances, because as goalkeepers, we love the buzz of a save, and the buzz of being tested.
"We probably haven't got that in the last few years, and when we do, there has been a good mix of conceding and saving, but you are going to see more of the traditional goalkeeper back.
"Hopefully we end up with that, because if we had three vs three in the game nowadays, the the first thing is goal, and the last option is a point, especially with the four points for a goal, so there is going to be a need for a goalkeeper who is a decent shot stopper."
You can listen to the full interview with Rory Beggan for free on The Puke Football Podcast, just click here: The puke Football Podcast with Rory Beggan
