Pressure on Ryan after defeat to dominant Armagh

THE full repercussions of this mortifying loss for Kildare will be felt in the days and weeks to come, with infighting sure to intensify within the county — but removing Glenn Ryan is unlikely to provide a quick solution.

Speculation around Ryan’s future will only intensify after this embarrassment as Armagh dominated from the first whistle at Dr Cullen Park.

Following criticism from the county board and the revelation at a board meeting that chair Mick Gorman had told Ryan that results ‘are not good enough’, the pressure was on ahead of the visit of Armagh, with Kildare playing their home fixture in Carlow as St Conleth’s Park is redeveloped.

Kildare flopped entirely, with Armagh having the game easily wrapped up by the interval as they led by 10 points, 2-8 to 0-4.

They were two points in front when Conor Turbitt scored Armagh’s first goal after eight minutes. They led 1-2 to no score, and the game was done with less than ten minutes gone.

From there, the gap between the teams only grew. Kieran McGeeney can confidently eye a return to Division 1 on this showing.

Rory Grugan got their second goal after 19 minutes.

This result leaves Kildare bottom of Division 2, pointless alongside Cork, and with a scoring difference of minus 22.

The talent within the group is clear, and that the focus is falling on Ryan is inevitable. Change before the championship would be radical, but his position looks vulnerable.

Armagh could hardly be in a more different place, top of the table with Donegal and looking formidable. KILDARE: M Donnellan; M O’Grady, S Ryan (R Burke 26), E Doyle; J Sargent, K Flynn, P McDermott; K Feely, K O’Callaghan; A Masterson (L Killian HT), B McCormack (N Kelly 46), A Beirne (S Farrell 50); P Woodgate (D Flynn HT), D Kirwan, B Kelly. Scorers: K Feely 0-4 (3f), A Beirne, D Kirwan, N Kelly and K Flynn 0-1 each. ARMAGH: B Hughes; G McCabe, A McKay, P Burns (B McCambridge 54); P McGrane, A Forke, Connaire Mackin; Ciarán Mackin, S Campbell; R Grugan (T Kelly HT), O Conaty (J Duffy 63), J McElroy, C McConville (J Óg Burns 49), C Turbitt (A Nugent 63), A Murnin. Scorers: C Turbitt 1-5 (3f , 1 mark), O Conaty 0-4, S Campbell 0-3, R Grugan 1-1 (1f), J McElroy, Connaire Mackin and J Óg Burns 0-1 each. Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)