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.
By Cian O’Connell
It has been an exciting, adventure filled, and chaotic stint for Rory Beggan, but Scotstown are back in a familiar place.
Following a weekend win over Inniskeen, Scotstown will now contest a 12th Monaghan SFC Final in a row against Clontibret. “Definitely, it is nice to be back,” Beggan says ahead of another Monaghan decider.
“It was a long way away there since the Ulster Club final last year. It is nice to get back, we had a tough test at the weekend with Inniskeen.
“We were pushed right until the end, which we always expected. We're just delighted to be back in another county final and another massive test for us coming up.”
These are remarkable times for Scotstown, who remain a consistent force in Monaghan. “We've definitely had a really, really good time of it,” Beggan responds. “There was a time back between '93 and 2013 where we might have only got to two finals, and we hadn't won any.
“When we got that first Championship in 2013, it just maybe set us up properly for what it takes to win. Slowly, but surely. We lost the following year, but since then we've been more consistent, getting to the finals.
“We're delighted to have that in the locker, we've 12 in a row now, but there is no use getting there 12 in a row, if we lose. It is all about winning.”
At this stage in 2023 contact was made with Beggan adopt trialling out for American Football duty. Beggan’s accomplished kicking style was noticed. Ultimately, it meant that 2024 is sprinkled with sporting memories. “It has been completely different to what I'm used to,” Beggan reflects.
Rory Beggan in action for Monaghan against Galway in the 2024 All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-Finals. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
“You're just used to coming in, doing pre-season training with Monaghan, playing National League and Championship, into Scotstown, then. It has been a whole lot different with no pre-season coming off the back of the Ulster Club heartbreak going into a bit of uncertainty with America, and what was going to happen there.
“Was that your last GAA game? All of that sort of stuff made it a very uncertain start to 2024. Obviously, I'm back into the swing of things now, that is all on the backburner for me now. It is full GAA focus. When you've that sort of focus, it is easy to build your life around it.
“Really, it was a tough opening and start to 2024 because you just weren't sure where you were going to be later on in the year. Once you get that bit of certainty back into your life, it is a whole lot easier.”
Beggan, the highly regarded Scotstown and Monaghan custodian, relished embracing the challenge. “Yeah, when it was put to me about this opportunity and stuff, I wanted to do it,” he says.
“People were always talking to me down throughout the years about trying it, but there was never any pathway for it. When this pathway came up, and I was approached about it, I said, yeah, I'll try it out, to see how I get on, and I'm qualified for it, and it was a no brainer for me, to be honest. I've no regrets.”
Valuable experience was gleaned in another sport and environment. “It isn't like I missed a full Championship, I missed a National League, I can live with that,” Beggan adds. To go over, to experience the lifestyle over there,
“I'd never done a J1 or anything like that. So, I wanted to try something new. To spend six weeks in a training camp, getting ready for the combine, it was a class experience. To get the added bonus of going out to the Panthers for a weekend, to train there, it was class too.
“It is stuff that will live long in the memory for me. At least when I retire, whenever that is, I can sit back and say I tried that, and it didn't work out. There will be no what ifs, that is the main thing.”
