BRIAN DOOHER admits that it would have been a nightmare for Tyrone if the American dream had come true for Niall Morgan.
Down’s Charlie Smyth has already been snapped up by the New Orleans Saints.
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Monaghan star Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson of Wicklow also impressed scouts in the US recently while auditioning as NFL kickers.
All-Star stoppers such as Morgan and Beggan have been at the forefront of a goalkeeping revolution in Gaelic football.
Joining attacks and kicking scores is now part of the job description for the modern-day keeper.
Still, Tyrone joint-manager Dooher believes 2021 All-Ireland SFC winner Morgan is one of a kind.
He said: “We’re very lucky to have him. There’s nobody like him. That’s my opinion but I’m going to say that anyway. I’m biased but I think the evidence would back that up.”
Last October, Morgan travelled to Loughborough University in England in the hope of securing a place in the NFL’s International Player Pathway class of 2024.
Smyth, Beggan and Jackson, along with former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader, were the four Irishmen who earned the chance to advance to February’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
But Morgan, 32, did not do enough to be selected.
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NFL DREAMS
And a relieved Dooher said: “Thank God he didn’t! He might not thank me for saying that but they’re my thoughts. And I told him, ‘Sorry, but I’m glad to see you not getting away’.”
Instead of pursuing a contract with one of American Football’s elite franchises, Morgan returned for another season with Tyrone and he continues to make an impact at both ends of the pitch.
The Edendork man chipped in with 0-6 during a National League campaign that saw the Red Hands preserve their Division 1 status.
And according to Dooher, choosing the right time to venture forward is not a management call.
The gaffer explained: “It’s Niall’s own judgement. That’s what’s special about him – he has that judgement.
“Things aren’t always going to go right. That’s the inevitable risk you take.
“But Niall, first and foremost, is an excellent footballer, an excellent goalkeeper. He sees things that other people don’t see until he does them.”
Notwithstanding a remarkable leap-and-catch that prevented a point against Galway, perhaps Morgan’s most notable contribution of the season so far came in last month’s win over Monaghan.
The opening for Darragh Canavan’s delightful first-half goal was engineered by some superb vision and execution from Morgan, who picked out his team-mate with a pinpoint long-range pass.
Dooher insisted: “People didn’t see that until he did it. That’s what’s really special about him and you have to realise that doesn’t happen by accident. That man has put in some work.
“He works really hard at his game.
“The goalkeeping coach Des McGuinness works with him and the other goalkeepers too and they’re all pushing each other.
“He’s always challenging himself and seeing how he can get better and analysing himself.”
CAVAN CLASH
Tyrone will face one of their own when their Championship campaign begins this weekend against Cavan.
Raymond Galligan’s side are on a high after impressively accounting for Monaghan in their opener. And their backroom team includes Dooher’s former county team-mate Stephen O’Neill.
An Ulster SFC semi-final against Derry or Donegal will be at stake for the winners on Sunday at Kingspan Breffni Park.
On Cavan, Dooher said: “They were there or thereabouts in Division Two. Take Armagh and Donegal out of it and they were next – that’s where they are.
“They’re a good side and, you know what, it’s not that long ago since Cavan were Ulster champions. We had them in the first round the year after that in 2021 and it was a tight enough match.
“Cavan are always there or thereabouts. It’s like any Ulster team and I always say this – if you’re not right at yourself, most Ulster teams can beat each other on any given day.”
