ARMAGH attacking ace Rian O’Neill hopes that manager Kieran McGeeney 
gets the credit he deserves if the Orchard county are successful in 
their attempts to reach Division One.

McGeeney’s men will be in a terrific position when – or indeed if –
the National League resumes follow the postponement of fixtures
following the coronavirus outbreak.

Armagh last played top-tier football in 2012. Of the current squad,
only Brendan Donaghy, Jamie Clarke, Rory Grugan and Aidan Forker have
played in the division.

A home match with Roscommon and a trip to Clare remain on the agenda,
and even one win could ultimately prove enough.

McGeeney is not immune to criticism, particularly from some within his
own county boundaries, but O’Neill said that he is giving everything
to the Armagh cause.

“There are always those critics in every county but you do hear it a
good bit in Armagh,” said the star forward.

“Kieran loves Armagh football, he gives every minute he can for it. He
wants what’s best for it.

“Even for us players, there is no stone left unturned in preparation.
It’s great to see that your manager wants the best for you.”

The lack of players with Division One experience owes a lot to the
fact that McGeeney has assembled a young, exciting squad.

That has had its positives but also its negatives, although the
Crossmaglen man doesn’t think they’re too far away from getting the
right mix.

“It’s a good thing when you think that the majority of this team is
going to be around for the next five, six years and you’re going to be
playing with those boys,” O’Neill continued.

“Maybe at times there can be a bit of naivety in some games because we
are so young. That works hand-in-hand with the fact that we go out and
we don’t play with much fear.

“You can see that by the way we attack but I suppose it’s about
getting the balance between the two and coupling the two together.”
n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com