GLOVE AT 1ST SIGHT
Niall passionate about game’s evolution
NIALL MORGAN is convinced that the goalkeeping revolution led by himself and Monaghan’s Rory Beggan is far from over.
The Tyrone star believes the pair can push the boundaries even further and bring the role to new levels.
Operating as sweepers and pushing up in support of the attack, their innovative and adventurous approach has transformed the game, and the Red Hand number one promised that there is more to come.
“We’re trying to show that we’re not just there to stand between the posts and take kick-outs,” he said.
“We’ll push it as far as we can go, and there’s a good chance that one of us is going to get caught off our line at some stage, but, for all the good that we have done so far in doing it, getting caught once isn’t going to ruin it.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for goalkeeping to be an attractive position. We’re entrusted with playing the role, and we’re just doing what we can to help our team.
“You’re an extra player, you’re not being marked at times, so why not push out and try to do a job?”
Morgan, speaking as he renewed his role as ambassador for Precision Goalkeeper Gloves, accepts that not everyone feels comfortable with the apparent risks he is prepared to take during high pressure matches.
“You still hear the shouts of the crowd to get back into your net when you do go galivanting up the pitch, but it adds to the excitement of the game for us, keeps us on our toes and gets us involved.
“Conor Mckenna was saying that the Australians couldn’t understand why the goalkeeper in gaelic football didn’t come out the field and create an extra man, they just couldn’t get their head around this.
“It’s going to take a wee while to get used to the fact that we’re doing it.”
But he warned that an unorthodox approach to net-minding takes time to develop.
“Obviously we have got that bit of experience, before we started playing this way. The biggest fear is that some club managers will assume that every goalkeeper can do this, and expect it off everybody.
“But it’s not for everybody. I play outfield for the club, Rory has been playing that way with Scotstown for years now, so it’s important that there’s plenty of practice done on it first.
“It’s a lonely position if you do make a mistake, and the last thing you want to do is force a ‘keeper into doing a job that he doesn’t want to do, because that’s when mistakes happen.
“It’s the experience that’s vital, it’s practiced and we work on it in training.”