Orchard is ripe for criticism
JIM MCCORRY thinks Armagh have been unfairly criticised in the row over their warm-weather training camp in Portugal.
The county is one of several who could be in trouble with the GAA for conducting training camps outside of the 10-day period allowed for teams in the build-up to their first Championship game.
Armagh don’t play Fermanagh in the Ulster SFC until May 19 but travelled to Villamoura from last Wednesday to Sunday to step up their preparations for the clash.
“People were judge, jury and executioner about us going away when we were trying to do something that the players wanted,” insisted assistant boss Mccorry. “We’re being hung, drawn and quartered for something without anybody even fully speaking properly to us about it.”
The ban on training camps in April was brought in to increase club activity.
Armagh’s players were involved in three rounds of club league games during the month prior to heading away.
However if they’re found to have broken regulations, they could lose a home game in next season’s Allianz League. Newlypromoted Armagh will be in what looks to be a very competitive Division Two.
“There is speculation but I think people are jumping the gun about regulations and what the rules are,” Mccorry said.
“We arranged under the proper guidelines to be heading away at this time.
“As regards to compliance with the April rule, all of our players were released to the clubs for club games.”