John Fogarty: Honesty the best policy for straight-talker Kieran McGeeney 

EACH TO THEIR OWN: Manager Kieran McGeeney, left, with selectors Kieran Donaghy and Ciarán McKeever. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

For several years, Kieran McGeeney would only appear in front of the microphones and cameras after defeats.

To take the plaudits and explain away victories, he left it in the hands of selectors Kieran Donaghy or Ciarán McKeever and their predecessors Paddy McKeever and Jim McCorry.

“It’s a love-hate relationship you know I have with all of youse!” smiles McGeeney wryly. “I understand the game within this, I do. Like, beige doesn't sell and there’s headlines and stuff like that. And sometimes it’s difficult. But I treat it the same way as I treat the backslaps when you're doing well. I knows there’s not much difference between the two of them.

“So when it came to winning and that, like KD (Donaghy) has a great personality and so does Brookie (Ciarán McKeever) and they can take a bit more out of it. But my job is to take the shit as well, I don’t mind that, I’m well used to it, so I suppose I did it. And this year they (selectors) were pushing back a wee bit on me and trying to get me to go out for the good ones. It was just something we had.

“I’m not in this for me, I’ve had my day and enjoyed every moment as a player, loved it, so I did. But sometimes my own personality, I’m good at giving yis headlines because I can’t keep my mouth shut at the right time, so I hate taking away from the players. They are a great bunch and the whole idea of them getting the credit they deserve is big with me.” 

In May, we mentioned the Ulster final against Donegal was another chance for McGeeney to lose the unlucky general tag only for another side of his to lose a third-ever championship final. 

One of them came by way of a disputed free for Dublin against Kildare in the 2009 Leinster decider, the other two on penalty shoot-outs.

Speaking after a difficult period earlier this month when his son Cian was in hospital before making a recovery, McGeeney considers himself anything but unfortunate. 

“Listen fellas, I’ve seen luck this week. I’ve had a horrible two weeks, a horrible two weeks. I’m the luckiest man.

“I’ve heard that sort of (unlucky general) thing before. No, don’t buy it. Yeah, some decisions go against me. I think that is more to do with my personality. People don't tend to like... listen, that's the bed I make. I say what I think. Always have, always will, but the one thing, there are times I regret some of the things I say because you can say it in bad temper, I fully admit that.

“But the one thing I can say when it comes to football I have never told a lie, ever. You mightn't like what I tell you but I’ll tell you what I think and I’ve always liked that.

“You can always solve a problem when the truth is on the table. Always. It’s when you say something behind someone’s back. Don't get me wrong, sometimes my personality I have to go back and apologise but I will I’ll put my hands up. That’s one thing about me.” 

A common misconception about McGeeney is there is only one way, which is his. If a player wants to perform against Galway this Sunday for his family, club or the group, it doesn’t matter so long as they perform.

“I think everyone has their own right or wrong. It’s the same when you go into a dressing room and you’ll see some fella sitting in the corner reciting mantras with goals set out in different colour pen. Then you see some boy in the corner singing some song and dancing about the place but whatever works for you.

“Once the whistle goes and you do the job, I don’t give a rat’s ass what way you do it. I’d be fairly easygoing that way. I learned that a long time ago. I know that goes against the persona people have of me but if you produce the goods you can wear a pink tutu and get pom poms for all I care.” 

Ten years awaiting as an Armagh player for an All-Ireland final, 10 years awaiting as the county manager to reach the same summit, McGeeney accepts it might have been done quicker but points to the 25 years it took to get them to bridge the gap between 1977 and 2002 when he raised the Sam Maguire Cup.

Is there symmetry between those periods mere coincidence? 

“I know it is hard work to keep it in a county like this because sometimes there are as many people gunning for you as supporting you an trying to get everyone on board.

“When Joe (Kernan) came in that time, everyone jumped in. Cross(maglen) were very strong on the club scene that time and you wouldn't get them in until the summer. This time, everyone was all in. Those wee percentages can make a massive difference.

“The maturity of different players, the likes of Rian (O’Neill) and Turbo (Conor Turbitt), they are only 23/24 and are brilliant players but 18/19 carrying a team is tough. Rian is a wee bit stronger physically and mentally. You see him doing things he wouldn’t have done. You see him setting up plays, his physical strength, all that stuff. I suppose that’s a long way of saying I don’t know!”