The position of goalkeeper is changing in Gaelic football. Gone are the days where the only responsibilities players in that position possessed was to pull off saves and kick out the ball.
One of the most notable evolutions came over a decade ago when goalkeepers started taking frees for their team. Things have gone altogether further over the last couple of seasons, with many keepers now acting as de facto outfield players at inter-county level.
Rory Beggan has been at the forefront of that movement.
The Monaghan man has not only been kicking frees for his team, but he has also been known to carry the ball deep into the opposition half in order to launch an attack.
We were provided with the perfect example of that this afternoon. Beggan would star in Monaghan's draw with Tyrone, remarkably finishing as his side's top scorer in the game.
He would finish as his county's top scorer on the day with 0-3 in total, with two of his points coming via frees. The third would come from play, with the Scotstown man arriving late during a Monaghan attack to expertly slot the ball over the bar.
Rory Beggan with a score from play for @monaghangaa v @TyroneGAALive in The Allianz Football League #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/1XR8toCPYK
— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 30, 2022
Incredible stuff. Beggan has scored from play for his club team before, but this was the first occasion that he had done so for Monaghan. He was named as man-of-the-match for his efforts.
He was also involved in a couple of dramatic incidents during the closing stages of the game. The first came when Tyrone had a potentially game winning point allowed late on after referee Joe McQuillan adjudged that Beggan was fouled as the forward jumped to compete with him for the ball.
Beggan himself had a chance to win it a few moments later, but he opted to pass a free from just outside the 45' to teammate Conor Boyle, whose shot would drop short.
Speaking to TG4 after the game, the goalkeeper said he was pleased with the result despite having an opportunity to win it at the end.
Lán Ama #TYRvMON
“Both teams know they have a lot to work on” 👌👊
Comhghairdeas le Rory Beggan @monaghangaa
Laoch na hImeartha inniu! 🥳👏👏
@GAA_BEO @officialgaa
#GAABeo | #AllianzIreland | #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/RlLNreyN2N— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 30, 2022
That's the first time (he scored from play for Monaghan). I would have been questioning myself if I would have missed from where I was.
I've had missed chances from play with Monaghan before, but it's just nice to add to the scoreboard whether it's from frees or whatever.
We came away with the draw. It would have been nice to kick that free towards the end, I felt Conor (Boyle) was in a better position but maybe it was the wrong choice...
From where I was, I felt like I was about to get the ball and then take it back out. I smacked my head against the crossbar, that wouldn't have happened if nobody was coming in and encroaching.
When I do look back and see it I will be able to give you a better version, but I felt the ball wasn't going over the bar and the man just came in and impeded me.
It's a free anywhere else on the pitch and there's no reason it isn't in the square.
Both teams will probably be fairly pleased with the draw on the day after an intense affair in very difficult conditions.
As for Beggan, we doubt this will be the last point he scores from play at inter-county level.
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