ARMAGH’S success in 2024 was built on giving nothing away and as their season progressed they became almost impossible to break down and rarely conceded goal chances, nevermind goals.
The Orchardmen conceded just two goals in the League last year (both against Cork in a round seven dead rubber), two in the Ulster Championship (one was an own goal) and one (against Kerry) in six games of the All-Ireland series.
They’re up a level in Division One and, yes, they have injuries to contend with and it’s very early days but Armagh’s defensive fragility in Galway on Saturday evening was a stark contrast to the solidity of last year.
Their goal led a charmed life. Five times they were opened up – three of them in the second half - but Galway took just one chance (a penalty) and missed four other opportunities because of last-ditch defending and their own poor finishing.
It’s not as if Armagh have to bin the formula that brought them so much success as last season, but it appears they have work still to do to adapt to the new rules and find their form.
They didn’t score a two-pointer but could have at least had an attempt at one were it not for some confusion over whether a free for a breach of the three-v-three rule could be taken from outside the 40-metre arc. Misinformed, Rory Grugan sent a first half free over the bar from close range for one point but, for the same infraction in the second half, Shane Walsh took the ball out beyond the 40-metre arc and landed an important two-pointer.
“I think it was the fourth official who said we didn’t have three (in the Galway half) but then he (Walsh) was allowed to take a two-pointer,” observed Kieran McGeeney.
“They won the kickout from that, another two-pointer… We had more problems than that, we played reasonably well and then we got sloppy. We have a lot of lads back with not enough in the legs. Galway played well, played the conditions well.
“The wind picked up, it was a pity we didn’t start with that gale that happened about 20 minutes before the game started. Listen, Galway used the conditions better in the second half than we did.
“Three two-pointers in the second half, an extra three points, a penalty going one way and not the other... It wasn’t a great game for us and we have loads to improve on.”
Next up for McGeeney’s men is Tyrone at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday and roles were reversed the last time the Red Hands arrived in Armagh for a League game back in 2022.
They were All-Ireland champions then but red mist descended on the Cathedral City venue and Michael McKernan, Kieran McGeary, Peter Harte and Padraig Hampsey were all sent off for their part in a brawl that broke out in first half injury-time. Armagh had Greg McCabe sent off but won by six points in the end.
That was the start of a period in the wilderness for Tyrone who were unable to find any consistency over the last three seasons. However, the Red Hands began 2025 with a seven-point win over Derry in Omagh and will hope that they’re meeting Armagh – who won’t have suspended Niall Grimley or Rian O’Neill involved – at an opportune time. McGeeney is well aware of the task in hand.
“You are playing against good players,” he said.
“Tyrone have beaten Derry so everybody’s Division One is unforgiving, that’s one thing for sure.”
