‘Kieran the best man For’ job still’
O’KANE
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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.
Armagh are still waiting for a first Ulster Championship title since 2008, or that big scalp that might drive them on to the next level.
They came agonisingly close last year, losing to Derry on penalties after extra-time in the Ulster final.
Orchard fans don’t need reminding either that they’ve lost back to back All-Ireland quarter-finals on penalties as well — to Galway (2022) and Monaghan (2023).
Armagh bounced back well this year to rip through Division 2, but came up short against Donegal in the final at Croke Park nine days ago.
It was a second Division 2 final defeat under McGeeney after the 2020 loss to Roscommon at GAA HQ.
Armagh haven’t won a McKenna Cup since 1994, but they did win seven Ulster titles in a glorious decade from 1999 to 2008, with McGeeney in situ for the vast majority of it.
Better
They’re a side right now though 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.
“We were about three results away from a (Division 1) League final, maybe two results.
“We’d a draw. We’d a one point defeat — last kick of the game.
“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 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.
“I’ve been on record before saying that 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.
Spotlight
“So that maybe gives us a wee bit more spotlight but when you are inside a group that’s neither here nor there.
“Boys, from my perspective, don’t tune into that really.
“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 I think there should be no chat about it.”
Armagh moved on quickly from last year’s disappointments, when many felt they should have pushed on against Derry and Monaghan.
“Listen, we were very disappointed on the bus coming home (from the Ulster final),” says Forker. “It’ll live with me for a long time just how low I really was on that bus and a lot of boys with me.
“It’s a long way back to an Ulster final and we are not looking at that.
“But the attitude soon flipped when everyone got back together for preseason after being away with the club.”