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Irish Times
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Rory Beggan is Monaghan's ace card who stops forwards at one end and puts fear in defenders down the other
The Rory Beggan conundrum continues. This weekend, the contestants trying to solve the puzzle are the Clare footballers. During my Dublin career, when it came to taking on Monaghan , the two players we immediately thought of were Beggan and Conor McManus . While the retirement of McManus has robbed Monaghan of their generational forward, the new rules in Gaelic football have armed their goalkeeper - also a generational talent - with a new set of arrows. I'm talking about two-pointers. Beggan was Monaghan's top scorer in the National Football League , finishing their successful Division Two campaign with 0-38. Within that total there were 17 two-pointers, all bar one of which came from a placed ball. READ MORE He was back at it against Louth last week, kicking a pair of two-pointers from placed balls in a game Monaghan won by six points . We'll return to the merits of two-point frees later, but first it's important to understand the dilemma facing teams in relation to Beggan's attributes within the new rules. The Monaghan No1 is among a crop of elite goalkeepers who changed the role and brought the position to a new level. When we were preparing to play Monaghan, there was a lot of emphasis on him, not just on his kickouts but also how best to deal with him when he comes beyond his natural area and roams further up the field. His foot-passing and general game awareness are of a very high quality. We were also conscious of his ability to kick frees from distance, but the arrival of two-pointers to Gaelic football has been a game changer. It has really empowered Beggan and Monaghan in terms of taking on long-range efforts. In short, it's worth the risk now. In a year their greatest ever forward retired, who would have predicted they would put up such high scoring tallies? That realisation challenges defenders and forces them to make split-second decisions that need to be perfect. Players who might normally tackle hard are being forced to reconsider their level of force against Monaghan. If they commit to a tackle against the Farney men, it better be right on the money. The jeopardy has increased. The risk-reward equation is weighted in favour of Monaghan as they have Beggan to attempt long-distance frees. For defending teams, it means the potential punishment for a foul has been doubled. It's almost too risky to tackle at times. All of this creates doubt among defenders. Anxious not to be the reason Monaghan score a two-pointer, they step off. This leads to the kind of defensive uncertainty forwards thrive on. Monaghan's Conor McCarthy in possession during last weekend's victory against Louth. Photograph: Ciaran Culligan /Inpho If you step off a little bit against Monaghan, you are in danger of enabling strong ball-carriers like Conor McCarthy, Micheál Bannigan and Stephen O'Hanlon to break through the lines and punish you in open play. It's a double-edged sword for defenders. Conceding a long-distance free is potentially momentum swinging in a game against Monaghan because you just know Beggan is going to come up and have a swing at it. There are even more elements to it as well. Monaghan will not only bring Beggan up to try bag the prize of two points, but as he prepares to take that kick, it is an ideal opportunity for his teammates to set up for the subsequent kickout. It used to be very hard, at times, to get set on a kickout. With the new rules, where the kickout has to go beyond the arc, it's a lot easier to get pressed up. Free kicks and set plays are perfect situations to target kick-outs and it is something Monaghan do well. Gabriel Bannigan's men were the highest scoring team across all four divisions of the National League this season. They amassed a combined total of 193 points in their seven group games. Kerry were next on that list, with 170. Monaghan's average from those seven league games was 27.5 points per outing. In a year their greatest ever forward retired, who would have predicted they would put up such high scoring tallies? They have put up decent scores in their two championship games so far this summer as well – 0-21 against Donegal and 1-23 against Louth. Their high-scoring return is largely down to the factors I have highlighted: Beggan having the licence to kick from distance without fear of criticism should they not all sail over, plus Monaghan's ball-carriers having the freedom to take on their man knowing if they don't create a scoring opportunity, there's a good chance they'll draw a foul. And when they do draw a foul, that man Beggan will run up to take it. Rory Beggan takes the ball forward for Monaghan during their Division Two match against Meath in March. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho Even if it doesn't yield a score, Monaghan will invariably be in a great position to keep the opposition pinned in and steal the kickout. There were occasions over the years when I questioned Beggan's decision to shoot from certain difficult angles. Purely from a free-taking perspective, his percentages probably weren't fantastic; I'd imagine they were below 50 per cent a lot of the time. But those kicks are worth the risk now because two points are on offer, along with a chance to squeeze the opposition kick-out. The Donegal game in the Ulster championship is the outlier. When Donegal were faced with the Beggan conundrum, they concluded that denying Monaghan frees would be the most effective way of negating their attack. To an extent it worked. That's why I think they shouldn't be worth two points Donegal defenders refused to commit themselves to any borderline tackles within scoreable range – which for Beggan is a considerable distance. Donegal were so disciplined that Beggan wasn't afforded any opportunity of knocking over a placed ball two-pointer. At full-time, all the Monaghan goalkeeper had contributed on the scoreboard was one point, from a 45. Monaghan still ran up a good tally of points in that game, but there were no frees from outside the arc registered. Indeed, only 0-2 of Monaghan's 0-21 total came from frees – Micheál Bannigan kicking over a pair from inside the arc. Donegal's gameplan was built on a logic of taking away the weapon of Beggan's frees. If imposed successfully - and it was - they knew their opponents would be reduced to scoring points from play. You can be sure Peter Keane and his Clare management team have been discussing how to approach the Beggan conundrum this week. It's a key area for any team trying to overcome the Farney County. Monaghan fans will travel to Sunday's match against Clare expecting to see the two-point flag waved. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho As for the two-point rule in general, while I'm not averse to the idea of two-pointers from open play, I think the punishment of conceding two points for what can often be an innocuous foul is very harsh. I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have been coming out with a protest against two-point frees if they were introduced during my Dublin career. But I honestly don't think many of those scores from long-range placed balls justify two points. Free takers are operating at such a high level now that many of those opportunities are well within their range. That's why I think they shouldn't be worth two points. Not that Monaghan are likely to be joining any campaign for change. Their victory over Louth has put them in a strong position in Group Three and if they get over Clare in Clones on Sunday, Gabriel Bannigan's side will be in pole position to top the table. It looks very likely that Rory Beggan will still be posing problems for opponents come All-Ireland quarter-final weekend.
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Summer brings different vibes for Waterford and Tyrone
'This year,' Denis Walsh reminds us, 'the group stages of the hurling championship started before the end of Lent and finished before Gary Lineker'. For those, like Waterford, who didn't make it through, it's brutal . Their manager Peter Queally 'had conversations with players who couldn't face a winter of training and meaningless league matches, only for their year to be over in the last month of spring'. He's pining for a format change that would at least send their season in to summer. Tyrone's footballers are heading for summer with a pep in their step after beating Donegal in Ballybofey last Saturday, Conor McManus reckoning that, once again, you could see the impact of the new rules . And after turning out for his club side, he got 'a bit of hands-on experience' with them himself. Next up for Tyrone is Mayo in Omagh on Saturday, but the latter, reports Seán Moran, will be without Kevin McStay at the helm after he stepped back from his managerial role due to 'some personal health issues'. In camogie, Gordon Manning talks to Katie Power about the two-week protest against skorts that, for the Kilkenny captain, 'felt like two months'. She and her Dublin counterpart Aisling Maher 'emerged as the embodiment of the campaign' after they were photographed wearing shorts prior to their Leinster semi-final. READ MORE In rugby, we have, writes Gerry Thornley, arrived at 'the era of the French' , Bordeaux Bègles' Champions Cup triumph the fifth in a row for a country this is now 'the heartbeat' of the European game. Who can challenge them? Leinster, with their financial might, 'remain the most viable contender by a distance'. Gerry also hears from Leinster old-boy Ross Molony who collected a Challenge Cup winner's medal after Bath's victory over Lyon. 'It's done wonders for my career,' he says of his move to the English club. His old chums face Scarlets in the quarter-finals of the URC on Saturday, but John O'Sullivan brings news that they will do so without the injured Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw . Jordan Larmour is, though, closing in on a return. And in his Whistleblower column, Owen Doyle is not impressed by news from World Rugby that the 20-minute red card , long in place in southern hemisphere rugby, will now be trialled globally - including during this summer's Lions tour. In football, we hear from the-soon-to-retire Louise Quinn and new recruit Erin Healy in the build-up to Ireland's Nations League meetings with Turkey and Slovenia, and in athletics, Ian O'Riordan talks to Sarah Healy about her improving her 3,000m best by almost four seconds at the Diamond League in Morocco. In his Different Strokes column, Philip Reid rounds up the golf news, including a frustrated Pádraig Harrington's reflections on tying for second at the US Senior PGA Championship, having led by two strokes in the final round. And in racing, Brian O'Connor has word on Ted Walsh's successful appeal against a €3,000 fine imposed on him under 'Non-Trier' rules earlier this month. The alleged non-trying horse, Ta Na La, remains banned for 60 days, though. TV Watch: There's more coverage from the French tennis Open through the day on TNT Sports (from 10am), and TNT Sports 3 has the 16th stage of cycling's Giro d'Italia, Mexico's Isaac del Toro leading the overall standings.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Rachael Blackmore: A trailblazing career from a ferociously determined jockey
One of the very great Irish sporting careers came to an end on Monday with the announcement by Rachael Blackmore that she was retiring from horse racing. It was, writes Brian O'Connor, reflecting on ' a trailblazing career by a singularly talented and ferociously determined figure ', 'perhaps the most groundbreaking career any jockey has ever had'. Mercifully, Blackmore was never asked to wear a skort (as far as we know). 'Is this some sort of joke,' asked Carla Ward when she was first told about camogie's controversy, Gavin Cummiskey hearing from the Republic of Ireland manager when she was asked about the issue on Monday. In Gaelic games, Conor McManus looks back at the weekend's Ulster and Leinster finals , the Donegal v Armagh game providing 'further evidence that the new rules have improved football and brought back the excitement'. And he doffs his cap to Louth, their first Leinster title in 68 years vindicating the development work put in by the county in recent years. For Gordon Manning, the fact that the four finals attracted a total of 134,892 spectators proves that there's life in the provincial championships yet . 'Those praying for their demise can forget about seeing any white smoke on that particular issue in the near future.' READ MORE In rugby, Gerry Thornley takes you through the permutations for the final round of URC games , and looks ahead to Munster's 'all-or-nothing' shoot-out against Benetton on Friday - effectively 'a playoff to reach the playoffs'. An emotional night it will be too, marking the final game on Irish soil for Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer. While Munster's season is still alive, Ulster and Connacht's campaigns are fizzling out , Ulster's decline, writes Gerry, the 'more alarming' considering their bigger history and tradition. But after the disappointment of their Champions Cup exit, Leinster can still salvage something from their season , Daire Walsh talking to assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal about their URC hopes. Owen Doyle, meanwhile, gives us his thoughts on the refereeing in last weekend's games , Scotland's Sam Grove-White, who looked after Leinster's tie against Zebre, 'falling short of requirements'. 'There is little point in repeating that Hollie Davidson is the best referee in Scotland,' he says, 'it's a little insulting considering she has no competition.' Tom McKibbin will have a fair amount of competition at this week's US PGA Championship, as Philip Reid tells us in his Different Strokes column . Denis Walsh is our man over at Quail Hollow, drenched he was too after 'downpours that would have tested Noah's nerve' during the first day of official practice. Denis heard from McKibbin as he prepares for just the third major of his career , the LIV man relieved to have received a late invitation to the tournament. And in athletics, Ian O'Riordan talked to Nichola Sheridan at the launch event for the 2025 Dublin Marathon, which will take place in October. Sheridan only made her marathon debut a year ago, but at 28 she believes her best years are still to come . She's one of 22,500 entries for October's race. Sadly, some of us forgot to put a stamp on our envelope. TV Watch : After Monday's rest day, the Giro d'Italia resumes today (TNT Sports 1, 11.30am) and while golf's PGA Championship might not start until Thursday, Sky Sports are already kicking off their build-up (2pm). And this evening, Sunderland take a 2-1 lead in to their Championship play-off semi-final against Coventry (Sky Sports Football, 8pm), Sheffield United waiting for the winners in the final.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Keeper battle and squad depth will decide Ulster final'
Ulster Football Final - Armagh v Donegal Venue: St Tiernach's Park, Clones Date: Saturday, 10 May Throw-in: 17:25 BST Coverage: Watch on BBC Two NI & BBC iPlayer from 16:55 BST; live text commentary with in-game clips, report and highlights on the BBC Sport website Monaghan's two-time Ulster Championship winner and BBC pundit Conor McManus breaks down Saturday's Anglo-Celt Cup decider between Donegal and Armagh. When the Ulster Championship started, a lot of people would have predicted that Armagh and Donegal would be the last two counties standing - and here we are. It's no great surprise, but that doesn't mean it's not exciting. In fact, it should be every bit as compelling as last year's Ulster final when Donegal beat Armagh on penalties. Having been lucky enough to play in a few Ulster finals, the occasion is hard to beat, especially when the weather plays ball and there isn't a seat to be had in Clones. And it's good to see the game being played in Clones after talk of a move to Croke Park. It was the right call. Every player wants to play at Croke Park but the Ulster final belongs in Clones. When we played Tyrone in the 2021 Ulster final in Croke Park, that was to accommodate social distancing. Every Ulster final in Clones since has been memorable, so moving it down the road never made sense to me. And while an early-evening throw-in on a Saturday is a strange enough concept to wrap your head around for an Ulster final, everything is pointing towards it being a gripping watch. All you need to know about the Ulster SFC final Armagh's McKay hoping it's third time lucky in Ulster Donegal and Armagh are well used to this scene, too. Donegal have been regulars in the Ulster final over the past couple of decades and this is Armagh's third in a row, so neither panel will be overawed by the pressure. And while Armagh's long wait for an Ulster title has been well documented, it's worth repeating that the chance to win the Anglo-Celt for the first time since 2008 is a huge motivating factor. To bridge their 17-year gap, they must first quieten Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton, whose kick-outs have been exceptional throughout the Ulster series. They were great against Derry and went to an even higher level against Monaghan, who pressed them well at times. Then against Down, we saw how Patton can find little pockets out wide or go right over the top of the press. Variety and accuracy make his kick-outs a massive weapon for Donegal, but Ethan Rafferty can be equally as influential for Armagh. His kicking display against Tyrone - 23 successful kick-outs from 24 - was remarkable. Whereas Patton doesn't tend to get involved in the play, Rafferty has an adventurous streak to him. That is Rafferty's point of difference but they are both great examples of the remarkable level of goalkeeping across the country. From Rory Beggan and Niall Morgan to the likes of Shane Ryan, the level of goalkeeping ability in the modern game is something to behold and the two men between the posts will be a big part of the story on Saturday. Squad depth will be another key factor. Armagh started with only six of their 2024 All-Ireland final line-up in the semi-final against Tyrone, which highlights the depth available to Kieran McGeeney. McGeeney's side were particularly good in the third quarter against Tyrone but Tyrone will have been disappointed with how they defended at times. Armagh certainly won't be getting through the Donegal defence as easily, so the bench could have a defining impact again. I continue to struggle to see where Kieran McGeeney will go with his starting line-up because he has so many players in form and putting their hands up. This time last year, neither Ross McQuillan nor Callum O'Neill were starting games for Armagh, but they have established themselves as key figures in McGeeney's set-up. And look at the players McGeeney has been able to call upon from the bench recently: Conor Turbitt (All Star), Aidan Forker (All-Ireland winning captain) and Niall Grimley (All-Ireland final starter) among others. On the other hand, Donegal's squad is even deeper than last year. Returning players like Michael Murphy and Odhran McFadden Ferry have been key, while Jamie Brennan, Jason McGee and Niall O'Donnell have all been effective options off the bench. There doesn't seem to be a weakness in either team. Whatever way you look at it, it's hard to see it not going the distance. From having watched the semi-finals, some would claim Armagh are in better form, but an Ulster final is never that simple. Predictions aren't simple either but I do think it will be a draw. The past three Ulster finals have all needed extra-time and I'm expecting the same on Saturday. Beyond that, penalty shootouts are a lottery, although Armagh haven't had much luck over the past few years. I do think it'll be a draw. Penalties are a lottery, although Armagh haven't had much joy with them over the past few years. If Armagh don't get a few players back from injury, it may just about tip the scales in Donegal's favour. I definitely see it going the distance.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Keeper battle and squad depth will decide Ulster final'
Ulster Football Final - Armagh v DonegalVenue: St Tiernach's Park, Clones Date: Saturday, 10 May Throw-in: 17:25 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC Two NI & BBC iPlayer from 16:55 BST; live text commentary with in-game clips, report and highlights on the BBC Sport website Monaghan's two-time Ulster Championship winner and BBC pundit Conor McManus breaks down Saturday's Anglo-Celt Cup decider between Donegal and the Ulster Championship started, a lot of people would have predicted that Armagh and Donegal would be the last two counties standing - and here we no great surprise, but that doesn't mean it's not exciting. In fact, it should be every bit as compelling as last year's Ulster final when Donegal beat Armagh on been lucky enough to play in a few Ulster finals, the occasion is hard to beat, especially when the weather plays ball and there isn't a seat to be had in it's good to see the game being played in Clones after talk of a move to Croke Park. It was the right player wants to play at Croke Park but the Ulster final belongs in Clones. When we played Tyrone in the 2021 Ulster final in Croke Park, that was to accommodate social distancing. Every Ulster final in Clones since has been memorable, so moving it down the road never made sense to while an early-evening throw-in on a Saturday is a strange enough concept to wrap your head around for an Ulster final, everything is pointing towards it being a gripping watch. Donegal and Armagh are well used to this scene, too. Donegal have been regulars in the Ulster final over the past couple of decades and this is Armagh's third in a row, so neither panel will be overawed by the while Armagh's long wait for an Ulster title has been well documented, it's worth repeating that the chance to win the Anglo-Celt for the first time since 2008 is a huge motivating bridge their 17-year gap, they must first quieten Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton, whose kick-outs have been exceptional throughout the Ulster were great against Derry and went to an even higher level against Monaghan, who pressed them well at times. Then against Down, we saw how Patton can find little pockets out wide or go right over the top of the and accuracy make his kick-outs a massive weapon for Donegal, but Ethan Rafferty can be equally as influential for Armagh. His kicking display against Tyrone - 23 successful kick-outs from 24 - was Patton doesn't tend to get involved in the play, Rafferty has an adventurous streak to him. That is Rafferty's point of difference but they are both great examples of the remarkable level of goalkeeping across the Rory Beggan and Niall Morgan to the likes of Shane Ryan, the level of goalkeeping ability in the modern game is something to behold and the two men between the posts will be a big part of the story on Saturday. Squad depth will be another key started with only six of their 2024 All-Ireland final line-up in the semi-final against Tyrone, which highlights the depth available to Kieran side were particularly good in the third quarter against Tyrone but Tyrone will have been disappointed with how they defended at certainly won't be getting through the Donegal defence as easily, so the bench could have a defining impact again.I continue to struggle to see where Kieran McGeeney will go with his starting line-up because he has so many players in form and putting their hands time last year, neither Ross McQuillan nor Callum O'Neill were starting games for Armagh, but they have established themselves as key figures in McGeeney's look at the players McGeeney has been able to call upon from the bench recently: Conor Turbitt (All Star), Aidan Forker (All-Ireland winning captain) and Niall Grimley (All-Ireland final starter) among the other hand, Donegal's squad is even deeper than last year. Returning players like Michael Murphy and Odhran McFadden Ferry have been key, while Jamie Brennan, Jason McGee and Niall O'Donnell have all been effective options off the bench. 'Destined to go the distance' There doesn't seem to be a weakness in either team. Whatever way you look at it, it's hard to see it not going the having watched the semi-finals, some would claim Armagh are in better form, but an Ulster final is never that simple. Predictions aren't simple either but I do think it will be a draw. The past three Ulster finals have all needed extra-time and I'm expecting the same on Saturday. Beyond that, penalty shootouts are a lottery, although Armagh haven't had much luck over the past few years. I do think it'll be a draw. Penalties are a lottery, although Armagh haven't had much joy with them over the past few years. If Armagh don't get a few players back from injury, it may just about tip the scales in Donegal's favour. I definitely see it going the distance.
