Rory Beggan on the ‘red flag’ that scuppered his NFL move

The Monaghan goalkeeper also gave his thoughts on the proposed Gaelic football rule changes.

The 2018 All-Star winner goalkeeper spent the early part of this year on trial with the Carolina Panthers after participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway.

Despite impressing with his kicking abilities at the NFL combines in March, Beggan wasn't successful and returned to Ireland ahead of the inter-county campaign.

Speaking as an AIB ambassador at the launch of the provincial and All-Ireland club championships yesterday, the 32-year-old revealed the 'red flag' that obstructed his path to an NFL contract.

"There’s a line drawn under it. There might not have been a line drawn under it if I was about 10 years younger, to be honest.

"I just felt that I didn’t think this was an opportunity that I was willing to try again. I wasn’t willing to go back through the pathway route because, I’m not getting any younger.

"I think just that at 32 years of age, the season, the way it’s going and some of the feedback that I received which I felt was aimed towards age."

Beggan was one of four Irish kickers to try out in the combine, along with fellow GAA stars Mark Jackson and Charlie Smyth as well as rugby player Darragh Leader.

Only Down native Smyth made the cut, and is currently part of the training squad of the New Orleans Saints.

Beggan also spoke at yesterday's event about the Gaelic football rule changes proposed by Jim Gavin's Football Review Committe.

The two-time Ulster Championship winner backed the new rules put forward.

"I'm always excited to see change in a positive way," he said.

"We've beat around the bush the last few years with different rule changes but the proper people are in place to make our game a better spectacle.

"To be honest, as a player, you don't care about the entertainment side of it, it's all about winning, but as a spectator it can be a hard watch."

He added: "I'm looking forward to seeing the three up, three back rule with forwards and defenders which could open the game up as a kicking game, which is one of my favourite skills, and I'm looking forward to seeing the two-point rule - seeing a lot more scores from 45, 50 yards which people want to see."