McDonnell backs Grimley's move

Former Armagh star Steven McDonnell has backed new boss Paul Grimley’s surprise cull

ARMAGH legend Stevie McDonnell has backed Paul Grimley’s decision to cull the 2012 squad and fill it with some of the brightest young prospects in the county.

Gaelic Life understands that amongst the new recruits are Killeavy duo Ciaran O’Hanlon and James Donnelly, Grange’s Ethan Rafferty, Carrickcruppen trio Declan Carville, Barry Loughran and Stephen Harold, Cullyhanna’s Gary McCooey and Pearse Óg pair JJ Clarke and JP Donnelly. Paul McKeown and Stephen Finnegan have also been added from the Crossmaglen team.

McDonnell has also admitted his surprise at the omissions of Malachy Mackin and Micheál O’Rourke in particular. Sources close to Mackin say the player is extremely disappointed not to be included despite being one of the Orchard county’s most consistent performers in recent years.

Andy Mallon and BJ Padden are currently not in the squad. Mallon is living in Dublin and was contemplating retirement, but management hope he can be coaxed back later in 2013. Padden was another player who was considering hanging up his boots. Anto Duffy is also off the panel as he is planning to spend next year in Australia.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday October 25. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here