It never gets any easier. Each Armagh Championship exit seems to have a special twist of the knife, and last night was no exception.
I've often said that Geezer has to be one of the unluckiest managers about. At a guess, I'd venture there have been no more than 5/6 Senior Championship penalty shoot outs. We have now been in three and lost each one.
That said, my sense is that there was more than bad luck at play, as I felt we did not take the opportunity to impose ourselves on what I consider a marginally inferior team. That was never more evident than during the ten minutes of the black card, when we allowed Monaghan to run down the clock. I felt more urgency on our part at that time, had the potential to open up a telling 2/3 point lead.
We also spurned some great opportunities for goals and indeed points which all added to my belied that Armagh continue to lack a ruthless streak.
Another hugely eventful year ends in bitter disappointment again, with a definite feeling of a wonderful opportunity spurned.
A sense now that there will be decisions to be made by a lot of influential people which will have significant impacts for us moving forward, so appropriate to thank everyone involved for their commitment this year. Still some great memories despite the disappointments.
I wouldn't swap my County for any other.
Roll on 2024.