Kieran McGeeney: ‘Some things are harder to take than others’

Armagh came out the wrong side of an epic with Donegal.

REGROUP: Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney looks on during the game. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

They hit the post three times. Shaun Patton’s fingertips turned an Oisin O’Neill two-pointer into a one. They had more shots. After all of that, Armagh lost in extra-time by one.

Only eight players from the team that started the All-Ireland final last July lined out for the throw-in in Clones on Saturday. Not all of that is injury-related, it should be noted, but plenty of it is. Ethan Rafferty has taken over in goals. Connaire Mackin came on.

Elsewhere, Aaron McKay, Joe McElroy and Rian O’Neill were not included in the 26. Kieran McGeeney’s side ultimately suffered a third successive Ulster final heartbreak. If there was one moment that summarised how close they came, it was the spell after Hugh McFadden’s second half goal.

Darragh McMullan flashed a goal shot wide. Ben Crealey soon had another chance. His kick clipped Jarly Óg Burns. Then the ball hit the bottom of the post, flashed across the goal and out beyond the other post for a wide.

All in all, a sore one. Once more.

“Yeah, but you just have to start again,” said McGeeney post-match.

“Some things are harder to take than others. We'll just sit down over the next 24 hours and look at the game and see what we can control and what we can't, and sort of try and push on.” 

The Armagh boss took issue with a late refereeing decision as well. “The less said about the rub of the green in our sport, the better. Unless it comes from me, nobody ever does (say it).” McGeeney cited a late free for Ross McQuillan, although it appeared the player in question was actually McMullan. After Donegal’s second goal, the wing forward won a terrific kickout and attacked fast. He did appeared to be tugged by the shoulder, but play continued and the defending Ulster champions were able to control the closing period.

There were plenty of positives for Armagh, including news that broke before the match. Rian O’Neill travelled with the matchday squad and sat with the extended panel in Clones. The 2024 All-Star has not played for his county this season and there were doubts about his involvement for 2025.

In his absence, his brother Oisin led the line and finished with seven points from six shots. He could have had a second two-pointer before the turnaround, however Patton was able to touch the ball before it went over. As Armagh prepare for the Sam Maguire series, the Crossmaglen brothers starting together would carry a serious orange flag threat.

“He's joined us today,” said McGeeney of Rian. “So we will see how the next couple of weeks go.”