Rory in US to realise his dream
NFL prospect RORY Beggan wants to be “in the top 32 kickers in the world.”
Monaghan All Star GAA goalkeeper Beggan says it was “a difficult decision” to leave his club and county but he is determined to make a go of American Football.
The Scotstown man,31, has vowed to go “full throttle” to make it at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at the end of next month.
The Combine is where the top college players in America try out in front of all 32 NFL clubs.
Beggan is one of four
Irish men who will audition for kicking and punting roles.
The others are Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson, Down sub goalie Charlie Smyth and Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader.
Leader is a brother of programme co-ordinator Tadhg Leader, who will coach the four players ahead of the Combine.
All 32 NFL franchises have been allocated an additional roster spot for their practice squad to accommodate one international player.
If any of the Irish players make it they will train through the rest of this year with a view to potentially playing some role in next year’s NFL.
Beggan said: “All your friends are at home playing the sport [GAA]. It’s a big part of the community where I live.
“When an opportunity like this came around, it’s not something that you can just put away and go for the coming year.
“I wouldn’t have made the decision to do this if it wasn’t going in full throttle with how difficult it was to leave the Monaghan squad and leave Scotstown behind.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. So I’m not going to go over and not give it everything I have.
“I don’t want to go over and just live two or three years in the practice roster and not make a good shot.
“I want to be in the top 32 kickers in the world. That’s why I’m going here. I want to succeed.”