Rory Beggan has called time on his attempts to land a lucrative NFL contract, claiming that his advancing age ultimately cost him.
Goalkeeper Beggan missed Monaghan’s entire National League campaign this year to take part in the NFL’s International Player Pathway having earlier impressed at the NFL combine.
The towering Scotstown man was back for the Farney’s Ulster SFC opener against Cavan before returning to the US in May and attempting to impress the Carolina Panthers.
His quest to land a kicker’s contract ultimately came to nought and while Beggan said his technique could naturally have been better, he reckons the fact that he is now 32 turned clubs off taking a punt on him.
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Down’s Charlie Smyth, meanwhile, at just 22 was deemed a solid investment and was handed a three-year deal by the New Orleans Saints.
Speaking at the launch of the AIB club championships, Beggan said ‘there’s a line drawn under’ his NFL experiment now, principally because of his age.
“There might not have been a line drawn under it if I was about 10 years younger, to be honest,” said Beggan.
“I just think that at 32 years of age, and some of the feedback that I felt was aimed towards age, I just felt that I didn’t think this was an opportunity that I was willing to try again.
“I wasn’t willing to go back through the pathway route because I don’t...like, I’m not getting any younger.
“I just felt that maybe it was a case that age would stop me from achieving that.
“I remember the interview process in the combine, a lot of the talk was, ‘What tape have you got from your previous time playing?’
“You’re telling them you’ve only been kicking a ball for six months and then they’re asking you what age you are and you’re telling them you’re 31 years of age.
“It just brought up...it was a bit like a red flag for them really because I’m looking at myself, and I’m looking at Charlie who is 22 years of age, and he has the same amount of training that I have.
“But he’s got so much time for them to invest into him, to prime him for American football and I just probably didn’t have that.”
NFL kickers often compete at the top level well into their 30s and Beggan said he personally felt that he could have got to the required level over time.
“It’s just disappointing that I think if I had been given more time to maybe practice over there with American coaches, in an American environment, I definitely feel like I could have added something,” he said. “But look, it is what it is, it’s over now.”
Monaghan supporters, and new manager Gabriel Bannigan in particular, will be satisfied that Beggan is staying put.
It remains to be seen just how influential he will be in 2025 and beyond though with new rules being trialled that curtail the role of goalkeepers in outfield play.
Beggan, one of the first sweeper ‘keepers in the game, accepted that change is necessary for the overall good of the game.
“It’s not very, very bad but it is boring,” said Beggan of modern football.
“It is a bit boring. Every team is just playing the same now. Every team is getting back. I do think that taking out that back pass to the goalkeeper will impact the game in a more positive sense.
“It will force players to maybe go and take their man on, one-v-one and, in defence, it will create a few more turnovers.
“It will increase kick-passing as well because players will be looking for that kick out of defence. That’s two positives I can think of already.”
With Beggan certain to be around for Monaghan in 2025, the focus will turn to veteran trio Darren Hughes, Conor McManus and Karl O’Connell.
“There will be plenty of twisting of arms done, 100%,” said Beggan, who wants them all back. “But if they do decide it’s time to call it a day, they’ll owe Monaghan absolutely nothing.”
