RORY Beggan attended a Monaghan training camp last weekend, The Irish News understands – though it remains to be seen whether he will make a dramatic return between the posts in Sunday’s Ulster Championship clash with neighbours Cavan.
The Scotstown man has been in America during recent months in a bid to secure a contract as a kicker through the NFL’s International Player Pathway. However, while Down’s Charlie Smyth inked a three-year deal with New Orleans Saints last week, Beggan’s future remains unclear.
And after flying back to Ireland last Thursday, the 31-year-old attended a Monaghan training camp as they prepare for Sunday’s provincial preliminary round date with Raymond Galligan’s Breffnimen.
His last game in county colours came in the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final defeat to eventual champions Dublin.
Darren McDonnell has worn the number one jersey throughout the National League, which ended with the Farneymen losing their Division One status after a decade in the top flight.
It would be a significant boost to welcome Beggan back into the starting 15, especially with Championship about to get under way, but it is understood that decision still hangs in the balance as further updates are awaited from the other side of the Atlantic.
Indeed, at last week’s Ulster SFC press call at Belfast’s Ulster University campus, Farney boss Vinny Corey admitted Beggan’s availability for the Championship was “very much up in the air”.
“It’s something that’s changing all the time,” Corey told BBC Sport.
“There was talk that he was flying home three weeks ago. It’s ever-changing.
“I was talking to Rory recently. It’s something he has put a lot of effort into himself, a lot of time and effort into getting an NFL contract.
“The last pro day he was at he kicked really well, he’ll be happy with that so no doubt there would be interest in him.”
Alongside Smyth, Wicklow’s Mark Jackson and former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader, Beggan attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in early March.
After garnering interest, Beggan, Smyth and Leader took part in pro day trials in Florida on March 20 before signing to American football agency ProStar Sports in a bid to secure contracts.
