By Michael McMullan

WHILE new Killeavy manager Stevie McDonnell sees the benefit of avoiding champions Crossmaglen, he knows the Granemore will ask plenty of questions this weekend.

The former attacking ace stepped into the post to succeed Niall McAleenan after the club’s heavy defeat to All-Ireland Intermediate champions Cullyhanna.

Wins over Culloville and Silverbridge saw Killeavy finish second in the table, avoiding Crossmaglen in the process, as the knock-out element begins this weekend.

“The last couple of times we played them (Granemore) they beat us but Crossmaglen are still the benchmark in Armagh football,” said McDonnell, now in his second stint in charge of his home club.

The last time was ten years ago when he was also county u-21 manager and McDonnell told the players the slate was clean and he’d be making changes.

“The boys who are putting in maximum effort and the boys that I can fully, fully trust to carry out that game plan, they’ll get their opportunity,” he said of the current season.

“I haven’t been afraid to make my changes. I’ve given a couple of debuts to a few young lads that are still playing minor football. It’s the way the game has gone, you just have to take risks and you have to get fresh blood in, and that’s the reality of it.”

While Crossmaglen are the benchmark for everyone in the county, the Killeavy boss has his sights fixed on the six inches in front of their face. Now, it’s Granemore and it’s winner takes all.

“Two years ago they beat us in the semi-final so you have to learn from your defeats,” McDonnel said. “That day we made quite a few mistakes and Granemore were certainly capitalising.

“They ended up winning the game quite comfortably in the end and fully deserved their victory. Granemore never, never make life easy for Killeavy.

“We know that we have to put in a massive, massive performance if we’re going to overcome them.

“In terms of experience, they’re probably a wee bit more experienced than what we are at the minute in terms of winning key championship games. We have a lot to learn before this weekend’s game.”

Killeavy are managing the usual niggles and minor knocks but will be without Armagh’s Conor O’Neill who is on his way back from an Achilles’ injury and McDonnell knows all about it having suffered the same injury himself.

“He has had a rupture from the Achilles’ about nine months ago, so I know exactly what Conor’s going through now at the minute,” McDonnell concluded.

“It’s a long process. I’m still rehabbing my own injury, so it’s a long, drawn-out process to get that one right.”