Kernan and Lyons set the ball rolling for new campaign
>"And I wish the other two lads all the very best," quipped Lyons on cue.
The response said everything about the laid-back nature of an occasion that was nevertheless overshadowed by Brian Kerr's appointment across the city in the Shelbourne Hotel.
How the GAA must be sick of the initials FAI and their thunder-stealing antics. Last summer, the World Cup exploits on an off the field, left the championships simmer in the shade of the public consciousness until well into July.
It was fitting then the Kernan and Lyons double bill brought their wit and charm to yesterday's launch as their two teams did more than most to allow the GAA year end with such an unforgettable bang.
This Sunday the two outfits lock horns in Croke Park again for the first time since Ray Cosgrove scraped the paint of a Croke Park post in the All-Ireland semi-final.
As an opening gambit for the GAA's secondary competition it couldn't be better and Lyons is delighted over such an early return to HQ to a point.
"Croke Park is our Mecca and I'm delighted Dublin and Armagh are considered sufficient crowd pullers to pull in 40-45,000 people. It's the best marketing tool we have as an organisation.
"As a GAA man I am enormously proud of it. I don't see the sense in it being used for St Patrick's Day (All-Ireland Club final) and then close again until June."
Yet strangely for all that, Lyons still hankers after Parnell Park at this time of year.
January usually sees managers acting like someone who has won the Lotto but don't want the neighbours to know. Cards are kept close to the chest and all and sundry adamantly challenge any suggestion that their teams may be possible league semi-finalists come late April.
"As a manager I would prefer if the game was played in Parnell Park," Lyons said. "It would take the pressure off the players a bit and it would be better for introducing players," he said.
For Armagh and Joe Kernan, the time has come to return the Sam Maguire to the glass case and get down to brass tacks again. Kernan told his players before Christmas that the end of January would also be the end of the celebrations and the big man declared the whole camp were glad to be back at what they do best.
"What happened up to September 22 last year I was prepared for," Kernan said. "But after that I wasn't prepared for at all. It's back to porridge for us now. Players have jobs as well and lives.
"In one way (the pressure) is off us, but just because you've done it once doesn't mean you slacken off. If we're up for it we'll go again. We have a backbone to the team but there will be changes made," he said.
One of the few men to know the pressure Kernan is currently feeling is Lyons. Despite the euphoria of last summer, the Mayo native is looking for the Cosmopolitans to move closer to national success this year.
"Ultimately, we didn't do what Joe did last year and they weren't a flukey team. They were around for four years working hard. All-Irelands are awfully hard work and if you get to enough semi-finals and finals you'll win one eventually."
Returning the attention to Sunday, Armagh may be without Oisin McConville who suffered foot poisoning recently. Enda McNulty is also a doubt with injury while Ronan Clarke will take no part.
Dublin are without the suspended Ray Cosgrove and Alan Brogan is also unlikely to figure as he is recovering from a cartilage operation. Of course, the opening weekend is about more than the show in Croke Park.
Mayo and Sligo will be looking to continue Connacht's impressive standing in the tournament from the off while in Navan, Mick O'Dwyer begins his 50th year in senior football by taking Laois to play Sean Boylan's Meath.
Add in Cork and Kerry in Páirc Uí Rinn and a very welcome flavour of what's in store already begins to whet the appetite.
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