No big in the road for Geezer
A DECADE in and Armagh captain Aidan Forker sees no reason why Kieran Mcgeeney wouldn’t be at the Orchard helm next year.
All-ireland winning captain Mcgeeney worked with Paul Grimley in 2014 before taking over as Armagh manager in 2015.
But the Orchard are still waiting for a first Ulster Championship title since 2008, and after some agonising defeats in recent years, they are a side that badly needs some silverware to show for their efforts.
But Forker (33) doesn’t believe it’s a last hurrah for Mcgeeney.
“I wouldn’t say that,” he says. “Why would Kieran not be there next year when we are a Division 1 team and let’s be a bit better than we were last year in Division 1.
“Look at all those teams... an All Black team under (Steve) Hansen, they lost the World Cup but they didn’t get rid of him.
“They said, you take the learnings from being at that level and bring us forward.
“So the same sort of model.
“Why would we get rid of all that Kieran knows about the group and the players he helped to create, alongside everyone who has supported him and not go at it together?
“To me it should be Kieran’s decision whether he wants to.”
Forker (inset) says that “arguably” there is more focus on Armagh because Mcgeeney is in charge.
“I just think number one, people like to watch us,” he continues.
“I think we play a decent brand of football – or try to play a decent brand of football.
“If anyone came to watch our training, there’s very little chat about defence or kicking backwards.
“It’s all forward as much as possible and that’s Kieran’s philosophy. He wants to play forward and score.
“I think with the people we have in, people are fascinated to see the impact on the group.
“So that maybe gives us a wee bit more spotlight but when you are inside a group that’s neither here nor there.
“It’s probably worth saying that Kieran has come under a wee bit of unfair criticism at times and everyone has the right to talk about how long he has been here of course.
“But I think if the players are happy with what’s happening and the way Kieran does things there should be no chat about it.”