SPECULATION that Jim McGuinness will be linking up with the Armagh footballers appears wide of the mark, according to Gaelic Life sources.

The rumour mill has been in full flow in the Orchard county as Kieran McGeeney seeks to fill the void left by the exits of Jim McCorry, Paddy McKeever and John Toal from the management team.

Kerry man Kieran Donaghy has already been added to the set-up, and the 2012 Donegal manager has also been linked to a role.

A source close to the process, however, says that there is no basis in the rumour and the priority remains to appoint someone from within the county if the right candidate emerges.

Cullyhanna’s Ciaran McKeever is understood to be one of those under consideration, with the county’s minor boss already forging a good reputation in the coaching world.

McGuinness, who played Railway Cup football with ‘Geezer’, did work with an Armagh man last year as he was part of Fergal Reel’s backroom team as Naomh Mairtin claimed their first-ever Louth SFC title.