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'It's pot luck really': Rory Beggan on twice guessing right against Armagh in All-Ireland quarter-final shootout

Rory Beggan gets down to his right to save the first penalty from Callum Cumiskey
Rory Beggan gets down to his right to save the first penalty from Callum Cumiskey

Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan was just glad his big hand got across to deny Armagh half-back Callum Cumiskey twice in the dramatic shootout that went the way of Vinny Corey's side in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Croke Park.

It took penalties and over 90 minutes of football but Monaghan are through to their second All-Ireland semi-final in five seasons after winning 9-8 on penalties.

The sides were deadlocked at 0-14 each after extra-time.

For Armagh, it's more penalty heartache following last year's loss to Galway at the same stage of the Sam Maguire race and then to Derry in this season's Ulster final.

Beggan was being modest afterwards when he spoke to RTÉ Sport about twice denying Cumiskey from the spot.

"I was focussing on his run up and had the benefit of him missing the first one," he said.

"I had a feeling he was going to keep to the same side and he thought I was going to go to the other side. That's all it was, just getting the big hand across and thankfully it stayed out. That's what penalty shootouts are about, its pot luck really.

"We had a couple of boys out during the week hitting penalties, hitting the top corner, so we had a bit of confidence going into it.

"Armagh have been in a lot of them recently. There was a very high standard of penalties tonight and thankfully we saved more than they did."

Farney boss Vinny Corey admitted that a place in the last four was the aim at the start of the season.

"It's what we targeted all year, to get to an All-Ireland semi-final.

"We knew coming down today it was a 50-50 game; Armagh wanted it, we wanted it. In fairness Armagh didn't lose the game, we didn't win the game, but we won a penalty shootout and that was enough to get into a semi-final."

Corey also went on to say that he thought time was up just before a long-distance free was awarded to Monaghan in advance of Conor McManus' pointed free that brought about the subsequent penalty drama.

"Rory [Beggan] and Shane Carey communicated that there was one minute left; I thought it was the last kick.

"We decided to work the score. In fairness all the boys got up, we worked the move and got the ball into the hands of Conor McManus. He won the free and scored the free. That was a crucial moment."

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