Grimley and McEntee comment on Armagh job

There has been no movement yet on a new Armagh football manager, with early favourite Paul Grimley suggesting that one of their 2002 All-Ireland winners should take over.

Grimley, who was assistant to the departed Paddy O'Rourke, has served as 'second in command' under a number of inter-county bosses including Joe Kernan, Seamus McEnaney and Kieran McGeeney.

He was part of the Kernan-led management team that masterminded the Orchard County's only All-Ireland SFC success to date back in 2002.

Grimley was admittedly 'very close' to being appointed as the then Armagh boss in 2009. But one or two of his requests were not met and O'Rourke was installed instead.

With the position vacant again, he has offered himself in a caretaker role and reckons that a member of the county's 2002 All-Ireland winning side should be O'Rourke's full-time successor.

"My preference would be for one of the lads from the 2002 team to take over from Paddy O'Rourke," Grimley told the Irish News.

"Fellas like 'Geezer' (Kieran McGeeney), Tony McEntee, Justin McNulty or Aidan O'Rourke would have all the capabilities to do a very good job.

"However, when I say that I don't mean to be disrespectful to the teams that they're involved with in management at the moment.

"And, of course, I don't know if any of the lads would be interested in, or have the time, to do the Armagh job."

Grimley boasts an impressive coaching CV and already has a healthy working relationship with the current Armagh panel, yet he is playing his cards close to his chest regarding the permanent position.

"I would be willing to act as a caretaker manager or something like that until someone was appointed on a long-term basis.

"In the final analysis, the decision on who will be the next Armagh manager will be decided on by the clubs, and I will be more than happy to abide by whatever decision they choose to make."

Meanwhile, one of the ex-players mentioned by Grimley has already ruled himself out of the running for the Armagh job.

Tony McEntee, who is joint-manager of All-Ireland club champions Crossmaglen along with Gareth O'Neill, says he has no interest in stepping up to inter-county management at present.

"I wouldn't be interested for a whole lot of reasons. One is that I'm with the club here and I'm focused on the club situation," he explained to the Irish News.

"The second is that, at that level, myself and Gareth (O'Neill) don't have the experience for inter-county football at this stage.

"I haven't serve an apprenticeship or anything and it would be foolish to think that we would have the experience.

"I've had two years in club football and that's really it. It's a difficult job for the most experienced people, never mind those who don't have it."

Armagh legend Joe Kernan has also ended speculation linking him with the position, insisting that it is not a lifestyle he wants to get back into. The presence of two of his sons in the current squad, Aaron and Tony, was also a factor in dissuading him to return.