Embracing 'chaos' reaped rewards for Scotstown - Beggan
If you're a Scotstown supporter, you're familiar with the parish's journey in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship. The club last won the Seamus McFerran trophy in 1989, followed by a period of struggle in the 1990s and 2000s. However, they emerged as a dominant force at the county level from 2013 onwards, claiming the Monaghan championship 10 times in the last 13 seasons.
Despite their upward trajectory, Scotstown's Ulster campaigns have often ended in disappointment. That's why Saturday's thrilling 0-19 to 0-16 victory over Kilcoo in the provincial final was so sweet. Scotstown led by eight points at one point in the first half and were three points ahead at halftime. However, their Down opponents refused to give up, forcing extra time.
The game's dramatic conclusion saw Scotstown's talismanic goalkeeper, Rory Beggan, score the final points. Beggan, recalling past Ulster final heartache, shared his thoughts with RTÉ Sport, saying, 'We were on the brink of a fourth loss, but the lads stepped up. We're embracing this moment and looking forward to celebrating with our community.'
Beggan attributed their success to a combination of factors. He explained, 'We bring chaos to our performances, and that's helped us. When chaos hit near the end, we remained composed and made the right decisions. A meaner defense and the injection of young talent have been key. We haven't conceded massive scores, and the new rules have made us more solid defensively.'
The Monaghan side learned from last season's painful semi-final loss to Kilcoo, where the opposition scored five goals. Beggan emphasized, 'We wouldn't have learned from that game if we hadn't, and we wouldn't have done the same things again. Our players are smart, and the new rules have given us an edge.'
Beggan's own contribution was impressive, scoring 11 points. He remained grounded, saying, 'I took the opportunities and made sure I didn't miss any frees. I've been doing this all year, and it became second nature.'
Manager David McCague has been at the helm for three seasons and understands the toll the quest for glory takes on his players. He minimized the significance of the Ulster Club Championship, saying, 'We didn't talk about winning it this year. We focused on the next game, which has proven to be a good approach.'
The Carey brothers, Shane and his brother, celebrated with their manager, missing their sister's wedding. Manager McCague acknowledged the commitment, saying, 'Football consumes us. These men had a sister who got married today, but football came first.'
The Carey brothers then headed to Darver Castle in County Louth to celebrate with family and friends, including Monaghan inter-county star and new brother-in-law Ryan McAnespie. As Beggan said, 'We never win these games easily, but we always bring chaos, and that's what helps us.'
