Beggan wary of Magherafelt test

MAGHERAFELT are the toughest opponents champions Scotstown could have possibly faced to begin their title defence, said goalkeeper and captain Rory Beggan.

David McCague’s men finally got over the provincial line last season, beating Kilcoo in a dramatic decider, to get their hands on the title for the first time since 1989.

They have dominated Monaghan for over a decade but struggled to get their hands on the Seamus McFerran Cup, but now they head into the 2026 campaign as the hunted rather than the hunters.

“Thinking back on last year, there was a lot of relief as well as the excitement and everything,” the Scotstown captain said.

“It hasn’t changed; I’m looking forward to going back into it this year. I’m looking forward to facing the Derry champions, there’s no tougher test you can get in Ulster really.

“They always have a strong representation when they come into Ulster. We’ve seen Glen, Sleacht Néill and Newbridge in the last few years and what they have brought to the competition, so we have it all ahead of us, but this is the test you want.”

Scotstown edged out Newbridge on their way to provincial glory last season, beating them after a penalty shootout, with experienced head Darren Hughes slotting home the vital final spot kick.

Magherafelt then defeated Newbridge in the county final this year to book their spot in the Ulster Championship quarter-final.

Beggan watched the county final, knowing he’d be coming up against the winner. “I took it in and I was really impressed, it was a very good game,” he continued.

“Fair play to Newbridge, they never gave up and they fought right to the end. In fairness to Magherafelt, they settled the ship and took some key scores and their big players stood up.

“The likes of Eoin McEvoy and Conor McCluskey, the young lad (Conall) Higgins up front and Cormac Murphy, they have quality all over the pitch.

“Odhran Lynch being back in goals for them this year as well has been a massive plus. We’re fully expecting the best Magherafelt performance now and we’re looking forward to it to see where that pits us.”

Despite finally winning the Ulster Championship last year, the Monaghan shot stopper insists that hasn’t changed their attitude going into the competition once again.

“Not really no,” Beggan added when asked did it fell any different heading into the campaign as defending champions of the throne.

“We marked it at the start of the year that we had our celebrating done and we had or gala and all that there. But once the championship started, it’s new territory for us again.

“I know that’s maybe an easy thing to say but we know what it’s like to lose and we know what it’s like to win it now too so it’s the same every that we say every year, we want to go and win it again.

“We have parked last year and we’re just getting ready again for this one, it’s the toughest draw we could have got but we’re looking forward to it.”