Begley enjoying life back in Laois fold after stint Down Under

COLM BEGLEY says he is more comfortable playing Gaelic football after a return from Australian Rules last year.

The 24-year-old was back in Laois colours in 2010 after quitting AFL club St Kilda but took time to get re-acquainted with his natural game.

However, Begley has played an instrumental part in Justin McNulty’s side climbing to the top of Allianz Division Two with three wins from three.

“Last year I didn’t have a great season,” he acknowledged. “I was finding my feet in a way. Now this year things have been going well. I’m more confident on the ball and shown a bit more as a leader on the team.

“Last year was disappointing for me personally and all I want to do this year is go out and play some good football. So far, I’ve been going okay.”

After Sunday’s 14-point win over high-flying Derry in Celtic Park where Begley played in midfield, the secret is out on just how well McNulty has fitted in as Laois manager.

A performance coach by trade, he naturally brings a lot of positivity to the position but has also surprised a few people with the attacking style his team has espoused.

“People were thinking straight away that Justin would bring in a defensive mindset but his real message has been to try and enjoy our football,” revealed Begley.

“He always felt Laois has had an ability to play a good brand of football and now we’ve the fitness levels to track back and go forward as fast as we can.”

“Begley is eager to play down the significance of Sunday’s victory. “The win against Derry may have blown things out of proportion. It was a great win and all but they were caught on the hop a small bit.”

There’s also a real physical presence about Laois. Begley is 6ft 3in, Pauric Clancy 6’5”, Brendan Quigley 6’5” while John O’Loughlin, Donie Kingston and Paul Cahillane are another three players over the six-foot mark.

Ross Munnelly, Donie Brennan and Michael John Tierney aren’t as big but there’s enough height in the set-up to start comparing them with Cork’s giants.

Begley is also delighted to see the return of some familiar faces to Laois in Gary Kavanagh, Brennan and Colm Parkinson. As much as the likes of Cahillane and Darren Strong give the team a youthful complexion, the old guard are fighting back.

“I played with Gary and with Wooly (Parkinson) in different clubs and know their talent and it’s good to see them back.

“Pauric Clancy is playing some great football and was very good at the weekend. Donie Brennan is a massive talent and he’s back in training properly and getting back to his old ways.”

Parkinson is, of course, a club-mate of Begley’s at Dublin outfit Parnells. They are two of four Laois men playing at the mega-rich club while Quigley (Fingallians), O’Loughlin (St Brigids) and Rory Stapleton (St Vincent’s) are another three who have made the switch to the capital.

Their flight from the O’Moore County has drawn much criticism from within the county. Begley himself moved for work reasons and is now employed as a games promotion officer with the club as he continues his studies.

However, he argues if the migration is keeping the best Gaelic footballers in the country it should be supported.

“Every player who has moved has done it for their own personal reasons be it education or whatever.

“People are saying if we keep lads here in Ireland while playing for their county it’s a great thing and that’s one way to look at it.”