Is it time to consider new management?

[Big Jim]

Who all has left the Armagh panel while McGeeney has been manager?

I don't think that really matters 'bull to be honest. I'm not saying it's not right to ask, just that there have been quite a number over the five years or so he's been there, but all for various reasons. Some because of age and retirement, some because of injury, work, home/personal reasons an others that will have been because of personality clashes. More still will have chosen to leave because of not being able to give the commitment and time needed. Others will have been because of feeling, maybe rightly of not getting enough game time and there'll be those just not good enough at county level even if they are tremendous club players.

That needs to be balanced with the large numbers also brought in which is obvious, because if it was just leavers, then there would be no-one there to play.

For me personally, it was because they couldn't get me a jersey to fit and wouldn't pay for the Bugatti!!

Every single team, including the mighty Dublin have players leaving all the time for all of the above reasons and maybe more. They also have new additions. We just don't hear about them so much because we are not as close to them, unless they happen to be "prominent"! @Androim will tell you what that means

 

[armaghtimmy]

Who all has left the Armagh panel while McGeeney has been manager?

There's a few that spring to mind without thinking to hard for me which I feel, if they were in other counties, their talents could have been better used/appreciated. For the record, I think Geezer should get another 2 years...

Gavin Mc Parland
A Kernan
James Lavery
Coalan Rafferty

Did McParland get a fair crack at it, could Rafferty have been persuaded to stay, Kernan one of the best in the county still? And Lavery whilst past his best now at one point was by miles the best midfielder in the county but couldn't command a starting place for Armagh.... Now I am sure those in the know will have various reasons for all 4 above as to why they didn't/no longer play and I am really just playing devils advocate, but would Jim Galvin or Mickey Harte have utilised these men more with the same pool of players we have? Most likely in my opinion.

 

[Optiman]

There's a few that spring to mind without thinking to hard for me which I feel, if they were in other counties, their talents could have been better used/appreciated. For the record, I think Geezer should get another 2 years...

Gavin Mc Parland
A Kernan
James Lavery
Coalan Rafferty

Did McParland get a fair crack at it, could Rafferty have been persuaded to stay, Kernan one of the best in the county still? And Lavery whilst past his best now at one point was by miles the best midfielder in the county but couldn't command a starting place for Armagh.... Now I am sure those in the know will have various reasons for all 4 above as to why they didn't/no longer play and I am really just playing devils advocate, but would Jim Galvin or Mickey Harte have utilised these men more with the same pool of players we have? Most likely in my opinion.

Yes, all four made a great contribution to the cause, however, someone with the skills of Aaron Keenan is badly needed in the current team. We have a very committed team going at 100mph and coming up short! A playmaker who can create space for himself and give defence-splitting passes would greatly enhance the team. Rory has that ability to an extent. Wrap that up with a bit more savvy and cuteness, this team can go places, however, time is short, a few of the older players will be in the retirement bracket soon.

 

[Optiman]

Yes, all four made a great contribution to the cause, however, someone with the skills of Aaron Keenan is badly needed in the current team. We have a very committed team going at 100mph and coming up short! A playmaker who can create space for himself and give defence-splitting passes would greatly enhance the team. Rory has that ability to an extent. Wrap that up with a bit more savvy and cuteness, this team can go places, however, time is short, a few of the older players will be in the retirement bracket soon.

Sorry Aaron Kernan. Predictive text!!

 

[Pat Cully]

Sorry Aaron Kernan. Predictive text!!

Kernan is probably the biggest loss to Armagh football. Probably the most classy player we ever had play for the county. Think there was a bit of a row between McGeeney and Rafferty but a job in Hong Kong probably big money was more a factor. Mcparland was actually playing well last year when he pulled the pin and Lavery played against us last week and was the best man on the pitch. But apart from kernan I wouldn’t put the blame on McGeeney for the other three

 

[Optiman]

Kernan is probably the biggest loss to Armagh football. Probably the most classy player we ever had play for the county. Think there was a bit of a row between McGeeney and Rafferty but a job in Hong Kong probably big money was more a factor. Mcparland was actually playing well last year when he pulled the pin and Lavery played against us last week and was the best man on the pitch. But apart from kernan I wouldn’t put the blame on McGeeney for the other three

The current team cannot be faulted for their effort all year. They expend so much energy and have shown tremendous commitment and the young players coming in are a great boost, however, they need to be a smarter, cuter team. Blaine is improving too and he must surely see what brilliant keepers do for the likes of Dublin, Monaghan, Donegal and Tyrone. There has to be a plan involving all for kickouts. Rian has the qualities of a playmaker among his other skills, never wasted too many balls and gives some great passes. Great hope for the coming year, however, just a short window of opportunity given that we are a small county with a limited pool of players and with retirements on the horizon.

 

[ragingbull]

There's a few that spring to mind without thinking to hard for me which I feel, if they were in other counties, their talents could have been better used/appreciated. For the record, I think Geezer should get another 2 years...

Gavin Mc Parland
A Kernan
James Lavery
Coalan Rafferty

Did McParland get a fair crack at it, could Rafferty have been persuaded to stay, Kernan one of the best in the county still? And Lavery whilst past his best now at one point was by miles the best midfielder in the county but couldn't command a starting place for Armagh.... Now I am sure those in the know will have various reasons for all 4 above as to why they didn't/no longer play and I am really just playing devils advocate, but would Jim Galvin or Mickey Harte have utilised these men more with the same pool of players we have? Most likely in my opinion.

 

[niall1980]

Kernan is probably the biggest loss to Armagh football. Probably the most classy player we ever had play for the county. Think there was a bit of a row between McGeeney and Rafferty but a job in Hong Kong probably big money was more a factor. Mcparland was actually playing well last year when he pulled the pin and Lavery played against us last week and was the best man on the pitch. But apart from kernan I wouldn’t put the blame on McGeeney for the other three

Why would you blame McGeeney for Kernan

 

[Pat Cully]

Why would you blame McGeeney for Kernan

So you think kernan retired at his peak to play club football

 

[niall1980]

So you think kernan retired at his peak to play club football

I’m just asking a question, I know nothing about what happened

 

[ragingbull]

I’m just asking a question, I know nothing about what happened

are you David Dimbleby?

 

[Pat Cully]

I’m just asking a question, I know nothing about what happened

It was probably as much Kernans fault as it was McGeeneys but he was some loss.
Had a wee drop when I replyd last night

 

[niall1980]

It was probably as much Kernans fault as it was McGeeneys but he was some loss.
Had a wee drop when I replyd last night

Definitely a big big loss

 

[Optiman]

Definitely a big big loss

Yes, the reason it was such a big loss was because we have such a small pool of players in our small county and gifted players like Aaron come along so infrequently. I believe that once again we have a very good pool of players, some exceptional. We need to maximize what we get from this team. This thread was to allow contributors to give an opinion about management. Kieran, as far as I remember, was brought into Paul Grimley's backroom team for a season while Paul gave a commitment to step down at the end of that year. I think that this again would be a good idea. A potential new manager, maybe Tony Mac. could join the backroom team for next year which would allow for a transition year where both could work together. Am I being a bit naive?

 

[JoeH]

Yes, the reason it was such a big loss was because we have such a small pool of players in our small county and gifted players like Aaron come along so infrequently. I believe that once again we have a very good pool of players, some exceptional. We need to maximize what we get from this team. This thread was to allow contributors to give an opinion about management. Kieran, as far as I remember, was brought into Paul Grimley's backroom team for a season while Paul gave a commitment to step down at the end of that year. I think that this again would be a good idea. A potential new manager, maybe Tony Mac. could join the backroom team for next year which would allow for a transition year where both could work together. Am I being a bit naive?

I don't think this arrangement really works as it could create confusion

 

[Bert]

Kernan is probably the biggest loss to Armagh football. Probably the most classy player we ever had play for the county. Think there was a bit of a row between McGeeney and Rafferty but a job in Hong Kong probably big money was more a factor. Mcparland was actually playing well last year when he pulled the pin and Lavery played against us last week and was the best man on the pitch. But apart from kernan I wouldn’t put the blame on McGeeney for the other three

Wouldn't Jamie Clarke be the classiest footballer we have ever had play for Armagh? It would certainly not be Aaron Kernan. With a bit of thought I could name at quite a few classier than Aaron, although he was an excellent footballer

 

[ragingbull]

Wouldn't Jamie Clarke be the classiest footballer we have ever had play for Armagh? It would certainly not be Aaron Kernan. With a bit of thought I could name at quite a few classier than Aaron, although he was an excellent footballer

no Oisin McConville in my opinion the most classy Armagh player in the years I've been following them

 

[Orangeade]

Another massive loss was Declan Mckenna, he was first class against cullyhanna last night,, although the best player on the field was Charlie Vernon, time and again he tore through the cullyhanna defence from centre half back I think he got 3 points as well...
On another note according to some cullyhanna folk Aidan Nugent is for Oz after the championship, unfortunate as he had nailed down a starting spot for us

 

[ragingbull]

Another massive loss was Declan Mckenna, he was first class against cullyhanna last night,, although the best player on the field was Charlie Vernon, time and again he tore through the cullyhanna defence from centre half back I think he got 3 points as well...
On another note according to some cullyhanna folk Aidan Nugent is for Oz after the championship, unfortunate as he had nailed down a starting spot for us

The likes of Og Burns are heading to stateside to play GAA it shows how much they care about their clubs

 

[ragingbull]

Another massive loss was Declan Mckenna, he was first class against cullyhanna last night,, although the best player on the field was Charlie Vernon, time and again he tore through the cullyhanna defence from centre half back I think he got 3 points as well...
On another note according to some cullyhanna folk Aidan Nugent is for Oz after the championship, unfortunate as he had nailed down a starting spot for us

Decky McKenna should be in the county panel & starting but I don't see him playing for the county never again