McGeeney rallies Armagh troops

Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney has called on his troops to raise their performance levels for Sunday week's All-Ireland SFC semi-final.

A nine-point trouncing of Laois last weekend booked Armagh's passage through to the last-four, with Saturday's quarter-final replay between Dublin and Tyrone to confirm their opponents.

Dogged defender McGeeney was ruled out prior to the victory over Laois with a hamstring injury, but the 33-year-old will be available for the semi.

With Armagh now preparing for their eighth outing of the 2005 championship, McGeeney reckons the Orchard county need to shift up the gears if they are to remain in contention for their second Sam Maguire Cup in four years.

"Our display (against Laois) would not have been good enough to beat either Dublin or Tyrone," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

McGeeney will play close heed to this weekend's Dublin and Tyrone clash.

Whoever wins that tie will be facing into their third high-pressure championship match in the space of three weeks, yet McGeeney is not considering the possibility of facing "tired" opponents come the semi-final.

"We ourselves had a very busy schedule when we were involved in replays against Donegal and then Tyrone but we have managed to get this length. Both Dublin and Tyrone are very fit and well-organised and they are well able for the pressure."

Meanwhile, Tyrone have received a boost ahead of their re-match with the Dubs. Omagh defender-cum-midfielder Joe McMahon will be available for selection after lining out in training last night.

McMahon had been struggling with the 'flu for the past week.