Further blow for Armagh as quartet emigrate for work

Nearly two weeks on from Armagh's exit from the Ulster Championship at the hands of Cavan, the Orchard men have suffered another setback.

Four members of the Armagh senior football panel are moving abroad for 'work related reasons', and have withdrawn from Paul Grimley's squad ahead of the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers at the end of the month.

Declan McKenna, Gavin McParland, Peter Carragher and Michael Stevenson are the players who are emigrating. McKenna started at full-back in the 1-15 to 1-11 defeat to Cavan at Breffni Park, while McParland, Armagh's second top scorer this season with 4-7, was used as a second half substitute.

A statement released on the Armagh GAA website read: "In the past 48 hours we have been informed by three of our players, Declan McKenna, Gavin McParland and Peter Carragher, that they have been offered work in America. They have all spoken with the team manager and explained their reasons which were unrelated to football.

"The manager (Paul Grimley), while deeply disappointed, accepted their reasons and wished them well with their future prospects. The manager also asks that supporters do not judge these players harshly without being in possession of the full facts.

"The manager regards them as fine young men who have given great commitment to their county in the past.

"Another player, Michael Stevenson, has also secured employment abroad and will be unavailable for the next 12 months."

Sarsfields clubman Stevenson came to prominence last season with a six-point showing against Down in the league, but he was unable to make much progress this term.

Carragher twice broke his leg during recent campaigns and he had been back playing for his club Silverbridge Harps, eager to force his way back into the Armagh. Carragher, McKenna and McParland all started for Armagh in their 2009 All-Ireland minor final victory over Mayo.

The emigration of GAA players has hit local clubs and county teams alike in these recessionary times. Earlier this week, the Laois footballers lost the services of Kevin Meaney, last year's captain, and Gary Walsh for the remainder of the Championship as they are New York-bound.