Rory Beggan explains how Monaghan team dealt with his return and latest on NFL situation

"Everybody can make a song and dance about it."

Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan surprised many by making the starting line up for the Ulster championship despite only just returning from America where he was hoping to be signed by an NFL team.

Down's Charlie Smyth had been signed by the New Orleans Saints, but Wicklow's Mark Jackson and Beggan are yet to be picked up by a team, despite impressing on their trials in the US.

Both were back in training with their counties almost as soon as they returned to Ireland last week, but some were shocked to see the Scotstown man start their game against Cavan, considering that he missed the entire league and has played little football.

However, despite losing the game, the shot stopper managed to win the BBC Man of the Match after making some excellent saves, kicking some vital frees and even scoring from play.

When asked by the BBC after the game if his return was a distraction for Vinny Corey's men, Beggan was staunch in his reply.

"It didn't distract me, it didn't distract the team - we all knew I was back training last weekend and we had it parked after that.

"Everyone else can use it as a distraction, everyone else can use it as something to talk about, but for us in the camp it was full focus on this game, and no there was no distractions.

"It's just media talk, and everybody can make a song and dance about it but at the end of the day we just didn't let it affect us really."

Although Beggan is back in the Monaghan jersey for now, there is still a chance that the phone could ring and he could be given an opportunity in America, but he admits that it is a waiting game.

"You just have to play it by ear, my phone is always open, and you never know what will happen, but my focus is now, and whatever happens over the next couple of weeks is what happens.

"I honestly couldn't tell you what is going on, I'll just have to listen out, but there's nothing definitive."