Kieran Mcgeeney Tells Officials Armagh Are One Win From Quarter-Finals
kieran mcgeeney left the Athletic Grounds with Armagh one win from the All-Ireland quarter-finals after a fifth straight victory over Derry. He spent half-time arguing over an alleged breach of the 4v3 rule, then watched his side move within a round of the last eight.
Armagh’s manager said referees should tell teams before games which rules they plan to ignore. He was blunt about the standard he wants. “I think you just need to know what rules they (referees) are going to ignore so you can tell your players.”
Kelly Levels Murray
Tiernan Kelly delivered the strike that kept Armagh in step with the contest, curling a superb left-foot shot after Lachlan Murray had put Derry ahead with a goal in the first half. That answer kept the pressure on Derry and stopped the match from slipping away from the home side at the Athletic Grounds.
McGeeney later said Armagh had given away “a very soft goal, a short kick-out.” He also said the late loss of Andrew Murnin looked worse in real time than it may have proved, adding: “Andrew came off there, it just seemed to be cramp and we’re hoping that is all it is.”
Meenagh Puts Heat On
Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh said McGeeney’s half-time ferocity had influenced the officials, and McGeeney pushed back by saying, “I suppose what some people are good at is pointing the finger.” He also stressed the pace of the contest, saying, “It’s a fast game now, there’s no doubt about it. And even with the extra-time, because of stopping the clock, it’s more like a full game.”
That leaves Armagh in the draw for Tuesday’s second round, where they will be paired with one of the other seven round one winners. McGeeney said the next games are going to be even tougher, and Armagh will also be working against a fortnight to recover before the next step in the championship.
Tuesday Draw Awaits
Armagh’s path is now clear enough to matter and narrow enough to keep every detail in view. One more win sends them into the quarter-finals; one more flat spell opens the door to a much harder run. For a team that already owns Ulster, the margin is shrinking fast.
