by Orla Bannon

Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan might be missing out on the fun of an All Stars tour to Philadelphia but his club manager says "there's nowhere else he'd rather be" than playing in Sunday's Ulster club SFC final.

Scotstown are attempting to win a first provincial club crown since 1989 when they take on first-time finalists Gweedore in Healy Park and such is Beggan's total focus, club boss Kieran Donnelly wasn't even aware the All Stars trip was happening this weekend.

"You know something, he hasn't even mentioned it," admitted Donnelly.

"It came up in conversation three or four weeks ago but that's the last I heard about it.

"He's having an incredible year and deserves all the plaudits he's got and thoroughly deserved his first All Star.

"I suppose the fact it hasn't even been talked about is a reflection of how committed he is, how focused he is.

"Being the club man that he is, I know there is nowhere Rory would rather be on Sunday than playing in an Ulster club final."

There are two senior club games left in 2018.

After Sunday's Ulster final, the Leinster club SFC final between Kilmacud Crokes - who include 2018 Dublin All Star Paul Mannion - and Mullinalaghta (Longford) takes place on Sunday week.

Donnelly feels the GAA should have waited until all the club games were over.

"It's slightly unfair, the timing of it," said the former Fermanagh forward.

"Mid-December looks like a more natural break when the club finals are over.

"It's disappointing given the season he's had that Rory is missing out on an experience like that - hopefully the GAA will reimburse him in some way."

Four-time Ulster winners Scotstown are the reigning four-in-a-row county champions but provincial success has eluded them since the eighties.

Gweedore, Donegal champions for the first time since 2006, did not expect to get this far at the start of the year but are a growing force and will be dangerous opponents in Omagh.

"I do feel we've been playing a lot of good football and while we've not been finishing well I'd be more worried if we weren't creating the chances. We have a lot of forwards that I have a lot of faith in," added Donnelly, who was assistant manager when Peter Canavan was in charge of Fermanagh in 2012 and 2013.

"We got to see all of Gweedore's semi-final against Crossmaglen and it was a massive performance from them.

"They've had success at underage level, they play with pace at the transition phase and they are a potent force so we're well aware of their threats."

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