Former players in Armagh frame, but Grimley ready to step in on interim basis
Grimley was assistant manager to Paddy O’Rourke, who resigned after Sunday’s qualifier defeat by Roscommon, and said last night he would be happy to assume the number one role on an interim basis.
“I am not going to run away and hide,” he claimed last night.
“I was asked to come in and help Paddy this year, which I did, and we were all very annoyed when he announced in the changing-room after the match that he was resigning. The players were committed to him.
“But I am happy enough to stay on, whether for a one, two or three year term, or in a caretaker role.
“We have a lot of players farmed out to other counties so until such times as they are freed up, I will do what’s asked of me.”
Grimley spent two years as McGeeney’s number two in Kildare.
He has never made any secret of the fact he believes Armagh’s All-Ireland winning captain willbecome a hugely successful manager and it’s not yet known if McGeeney will be staying on as Kildare boss beyond this year. He may well be a free agent by the time Armagh begin their search for a new boss. However, Grimley acknowledges there are other prime candidates too, some of whom are involved with other counties or high-profile clubs.
“Aidan O’Rourke is in Down, Justin McNulty is in Laois, John Rafferty is with Kieran in Kildare and obviously Tony and John McEntee have done very well in club management,” said Grimley.
“Then there’s Kieran himself, who still has a job to do in Kildare.
“Long-term, I would imagine one of those guys will come in and pick up the reins whenever it is suitable for them.
“In between times, I’m happy enough to help out and then I will be more than happy to step aside.’
Grimley had a year as an inter-county manager with Cavan but he would relish the opportunity to continue working with the young players coming through into the senior system.
