O’Rourke’s got it wrong, insists Kernan

Joe Kernan rejected suggestions by previous Armagh boss Paddy O’Rourke that Crossmaglen’s success hindered their players from prospering at county level.

O’Rourke felt he did not have enough opportunities to work closely with Cross players. But Kernan insisted Armagh will never be successful without players from Crossmaglen.

“In about a five-year period we won two or three Ulsters, an All-Ireland and Cross were winning All-Irelands at the same time so that argument doesn’t stand up,” Kernan said yesterday at the launch of the Match for Michaela.

“Cross’ success should help the county not hinder it. There’s five or six players in Cross who should be starting regularly for Armagh.”

Only Aaron Kernan and Jamie Clarke are considered regular Armagh championship starters from Crossmaglen.

Kernan added: “I believe the players are there within Armagh if we can get a system of play that everybody is happy with.

“Donegal won because there was unity in the camp and they played with a smile on their face.”