Mayo's Padden in line for Armagh role

Mayo native Billy Joe Padden is set to switch club and county allegiances to Armagh, after completing a transfer to Carrickcruppen.

Padden, a son of former Mayo great Willie Joe Padden, has swapped his native Belmullet for South Armagh and it is understood that he has already trained with the Orchard County squad.

The 29-year-old is expected to get the call-up from Armagh manager Paddy O'Rourke, with Padden holding strong links with Camlough in Armagh.

A transfer to the Orchard County has been touted for a number of years. Padden won a Sigerson Cup All-Star in 2004 while studying at Queen's University, Belfast.

He has won three Connacht Senior Championship titles and a National League with Mayo.

He last featured for his native county during last year's Connacht SFC first round defeat to Sligo when he was introduced as a second half substitute.

Meanwhile, John Murtagh has returned to the Armagh squad after a recent stint abroad. Murtagh was included in the panel for yesterday's postponed Dr McKenna Cup clash against Antrim.

His transfer from Tyrone in New York to former club Crossmaglen Rangers went through last month.

This provides another option for Rangers ahead of their upcoming All-Ireland SFC Club quarter-final against London side Neasden Gaels.

He bagged four points for New York in their Connacht SFC encounter with Galway last Summer, and was sent off late in the game.