GAA teams: Rory Beggan named in Monaghan squad for Cavan tie

Rory Beggan has been included in the Monaghan squad for the Ulster SFC first round tie with Cavan in Clones on Sunday.

The All-Star keeper has named on the subs bench for this weekend, having missed the entirety of the Allianz Football League campaign through his involvement with the NFL International Player Pathway programme.

Beggan reportedly participated in a Monaghan training camp last weekend upon his return from the US, before being handed the number 16 jersey, with Darren McDonnell retaining the starting berth for the time being.

The Monaghan keeper's future remains somewhat uncertain as he awaits further word from the States.

Beggan was the most high-profile Irish participant in the NFL tryouts, showcasing his kicking skills before scouts at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis ahead of further trials in Florida.

Down's Charlie Smyth, another participant in the pathway, secured a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Welsh rugby international Louis Rees-Zammit, arguably the highest profile of the athletes in the international programme, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Back home, Vinny Corey's side suffered in Beggan's absence, dropping out of Division 1 for the first time since 2014 and shipping 14 goals across the campaign.

For Sunday, stalwart attacker Conor McManus is named at 15 having missed much of the league campaign and only making his first start in their brave final stand against Tyrone in Omagh.

Cavan, who held onto third spot in Division 2 despite a poor finish to their league campaign, have made several changes from the side that limped to a final day defeat to Fermanagh last time out.

Gerard Smith, Killian Brady, Padraig Faulkner and Cian Madden are all named to start, with Dara McVeety dropping