Kieran McGeeney: 'Some teams tell them to do something, I’d love that direct line'

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney. Picture: James Lawlor/Inpho

Despite the fact that their spot in the quarter-final was already secure, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney had cause to be unhappy on Saturday with a defeat and the latest rules update.

On Saturday, it was confirmed that the Football Review Committee has proposed a rule adjustment to remove the 50-metre penalty for a foul on a player who catches a kick-out mark.

Central Council will now vote on the proposal. If it is passed, the amendment will be operational for next weekend’s All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals and the Tailteann Cup semi-finals.

“Listen, honestly, they just seem to be able to do what they want,” said McGeeney after his side lost out by a point against Galway in Kingspan Breffni.

“Some teams tell them to do something, I’d love that direct line. Whoever has that direct line into Jim (Gavin) and Eamonn (Fitzmaurice), I would love that.” When asked if it could clean up some ‘greyness’ around the rule, the All-Ireland winning manager was unconvinced.

“That is what the GAA is. Everything is a foul. Everything isn’t a foul. You just swing with the punches and do what you can.”

Armagh took off defender Paddy Burns due to a fear he would be sent off after picking up a booking. They conceded two first-half penalties, but Ethan Rafferty saved the first and the second went over the bar.

“In this game, again because people didn’t like it, if you get a man sent off, you can’t really exist. Keep everybody up and not back, something like that. It is difficult. It depends. As I say, if you get a direct line you seem to be able to change them.” 

It is Armagh’s first championship defeat in normal time since the 2023 group stages fixture against Tyrone. On their performance, McGeeney was frustrated they were unable to hold on to an eight-point half-time lead.

“I suppose we would be disappointed we gave away the ball so much. They upped the aggression stakes and the frees seemed to fall their way then. We just got caught doing silly stuff. It was annoying. We got ourselves back into a good position again, gave it away. A wee bit annoyed with the free at the end. Loads to work on.”