McGeeney: Rian O’Neill ‘taking a bit of time for himself’, two-point confusion needs to be clarified

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney, centre, and selectors Kieran Donaghy, left, and Ciarán McKeever during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Galway and Armagh at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney has confirmed that All-Star Rian O’Neill is ‘taking a bit of time’ away from the senior panel.

The Crossmaglen Rangers star was not in the All-Ireland champions squad for the opening game of the 2025 National League. Armagh went down 1-12 to 0-9 in Pearse Stadium.

“He is taking a bit of time out for himself at the minute,” McGeeney said. “I don't know whether it is weeks or months. We said we'd give it to him.” When asked if there is a chance O’Neill does not play in 2025, McGeeney was noncommittal.

“When it is personal I try not to ask any questions. He was in for a while and he was training, he is just taking a bit of time for himself. That is it.” McGeeney took issue with a foul on Andrew Murnin in the second half that he believed should be a penalty. He also called for clarification around the breech of 3v3.

In the first half, Galway were penalised after Cathal Sweeney crossed the halfway line. Rory Grugan kicked a free kick from the 20m line. In the second half, Armagh were punished for the same but Shane Walsh brought it back outside the arc for a two-point free.

“The three v three thing, it is hard to say, but three is a clarification needed,” he said. “We were sent a thing last night that said in the three v three rule, it's a 13m penalty.

“But the one the referees get, they have a different rule, in red, they can take it out for two points.

“So we told them obviously, you just take the 13 metres, but that was a huge turning point. Like I can't say for definite if we didn't have three up. But listen, it wasn't the reason we lost.” McGeeney said they were told last week by an intercounty referee that there were three options but sought clarification before Saturday’s fixture.

“We asked for clarification during the week and we were sent it last night. Actually (shows the rule on phone) I showed it to the ref, and he showed me his and they are completely different. That is the one we got.

“So it was a free kick from the centre-point of the defending 20m line, the one the referees got was red after it, saying that they were allowed to take it out (beyond the arc).

“And listen you get annoyed at the ref, but they can only follow what they were given. There was a huge momentum swing at that time.” Meanwhile, Galway boss Padraic Joyce was happy with the result but not the performance.

"It is difficult for both teams to try and get used to them. It was the first real game. I think it'll take two or three games before we kind of know where we're at with them.

“Obviously the two-pointers were a huge thing. I think we both got caught for having two up top for the handy frees in. That was it. I think people probably expected a way more fast-paced game but unfortunately, the conditions and the pitch didn't help that. We probably didn't see the best of the rules."