Kerry’s Donaghy addition: ‘People might not be aware of how good he is technically and tactically’

What was clear to Armagh's management and players was how much work the Tralee man put into his craft. Not just the arduous commute either.

ROCK SOLID: Kieran Donaghy watching his beloved Austin Stacks at the Kerry SFC final. Pic: 'The energy he brought to training was second to none.' Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

After five years, Tiernan Kelly and Armagh send Kieran Donaghy back south with huge gratitude for a job well done.

The former Kerry star stepped away as coach and selector after the 2025 season, having helped the Ulster outfit end a long wait for Sam Maguire in 2024. He has since joined Jack O’Connor’s backroom team.

“I think Donaghy’s main element is his personality,” said Kelly, speaking at the launch of the 2026 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup. “There is also the experience that he brings. He has been around the block, he is really good with his words. People might not be aware of how good he is technically and tactically.

“Then the effort he brings, he lives and breathes football. He took to Armagh so well and the people in it. He really committed to it. Kerry have got a good one, but I don’t want to wish him too much luck!” 

Donaghy has worked with the Galway hurlers and Tralee’s Sigerson side since retiring in 2018. He described his role as an offensive coach in Armagh. Ciaran McKeever is responsible for defensive work and Conleith Gilligan was charged with the transition on both sides of the ball.

What was clear to Kelly was how much work Donaghy put into his craft. Not just the arduous commute either.

“The end of the year we all drove down to Kerry as a bit of a leaving party and it is some trek,” he said with a laugh.

“That alone, we obviously went down to Kerry a few times in the league and it reminds you, but when we went back at the end of the year, you are driving down and the appreciation of him grows and grows as you are driving, to do that the amount of times that he did.

“It is not just the travel. If Kieran was leaving around the corner from us, it would still be clear the amount of time he puts in. Whether it is in the car ringing boys, his use of time is brilliant. On the road, he used it as an opportunity to talk to boys individually. Away from that, the video that he watched and the energy he brought to training was second to none.” 

As for Kieran McGeeney’s side, they have their own ambitions and focus for 2026. The defence of their title came to an end in a dramatic quarter-final defeat to Kerry. Armagh were ahead by one at the turnaround and led by five at one point in the second half only to concede 0-14 without reply during a remarkable burst.

“Ups and downs,” was how Kelly summarised their campaign.

“Obviously, it didn’t finish the way we wanted. Definitely a lot to work on going into the New Year, a lot of things to tweak and change. As a whole, there were a lot of positives. But ultimately the goal at the end is to win the All-Ireland and we didn’t do that.”