Career
He has also played Australian rules football for the Street Kilda Football Club and the Brisbane Lions of the Australian Football League (American Federation of Labor-Congress). Begley was scouted by the Lions football manager Graeme Allan, along with several other potential recruits during a training camp in Ireland, having previously witnessed a near best on ground performance from the young Irishman in the Under 19s International Rules series playing for Ireland against Australia. Begley was later persuaded to move to Australia as a rookie listed professional Australian rules football player in 2005.
Brisbane Lions
Begley played his very first game of Australian rules immediately after moving from Ireland to Australia in 2006.
In just his third game weeks later, he lined up in a National Association of Broadcasters Cup quarter final. In that game he picked up a total of six possessions and one mark whilst playing on Melbourne speedster Aaron Davey.
He was later elevated to the senior list during the regular season when the Lions suffered a string of injuries. In his senior debut against the West Coast Eagles he gathered seven possessions, seven marks and two hitouts, lining up on Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd.
At the end of the season he was retained by the club as a rookie listed player.
Following his good form through the 2007 National Association of Broadcasters Cup, Begley was once again elevated onto the Brisbane Lions" senior playing list and was soon after named on the interchange bench in the Lions" first game for the season. He was soon playing regularly for the Lions. His rise after such a short time playing the sport was described as "remarkable".
However, Brisbane opted not to offer him a new contract for the 2009 season following an injury ravaged 2008 which restricted him to only eight appearances.
Begley represented Ireland in the senior 2008 International Rules Series with rumours of his delisting circulating. Many commentators claimed that he was playing for his career.
During this time he said that if his was over he would return to play Gaelic football with Laois. Street Kilda
In the hope that he would be redrafted, Begley trained with Collingwood prior to the 2008 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft.
He was eventually selected by Street Kilda at pick 83.
Begley played in only one of the 22 matches of the 2009 American Federation of Labor-Congress season home and away rounds in which Street Kilda qualified in first position for the finals, winning the club’s third minor premiership. After the 2009 American Federation of Labor-Congress season, Begley retired from the American Federation of Labor-Congress, announcing his desire to return to Ireland. Begley is currently playing for Dublin side Parnells and has returned to inter-county football with his native Laois.
Begley has represented his country in the International Rules Series on no less than 12 occasions.
In 2006 (2 test matches), 2008 (2 test matches), 2010 (2 test matches), 2011 (2 test matches), 2013 (2 test matches), 2014 (1 test match) and 2015 (1 test match).
