'Pure nonsense': Kieran McGeeney dismisses provincial title inventive debate

“We will have a few drinks and celebrate it," McGeeney said about Armagh's Ulster final win. “But I will be in the other ear telling them Derry are out training today."

Kieran McGeeney on winning as a manager and player: “Playing is always better. You just get grey hair standing on the sidelines and abuse." Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

This mattered. Say what you want about the meaning of a provincial title in the new championship format, but Armagh and Kieran McGeeney are delighted with their first Anglo-Celt Cup since 2008.

For McGeeney, the talk about a lack of incentive to win a provincial title isn’t something that had any significance in their dressing room. Silverware is always sweet.

“You want to win every cup that you're in,” he said post-match.

“As a manager, when I read people saying (that), the same as the round robin competition and the Super 16, ‘No jeopardy. People don't want to win them badly enough.’ I just think it's horseshit. None of those people have ever stood in the changing room and said that because it is pure nonsense.

"The boys definitely want to win. They also know now they're back at the starting line tomorrow morning. Kerry are back training.

“Derry are waiting in the wings for us. They have been now for two weeks. Donegal, everybody's just raring to go again.

“We'll enjoy it tonight. We'll get together hopefully tomorrow and start again.” 

They will celebrate it too. But the fact that the draw has already taken place for the next round and Derry are coming down the tracks will be in his mind.

“I can’t give a monster story that I will have them out training or anything tonight,” said McGeeney. “We will have a few drinks and celebrate it.

“But I will be in the other ear telling them Derry are out training today. Croke Park have every team set up for whatever provincial champion or whatever come out, which is a very unusual play, unless you are trying to underscore the provincial champions. Listen, that is the way it is.” 

Having won six Ulster titles as a player, this is his first as a manager.

“Playing is always better.

“You just get grey hair standing on the sidelines and abuse. Playing is what it's all about. The thing about management is you draw the lines. As a player, you colour it in.

“That's where all the fun is.” 

 Meanwhile, Monaghan boss Gabriel Bannigan pointed to their late misses in normal time as vital. They came from seven down to level and had two late two-point attempts, with Karl Gallagher and Rory Beggan missing.

“I am proud of the lads and yeah I am heartbroken,” he said.

“We did come so close, it did look any team was going to win it coming towards the end of normal time it was going to be us, but one or two chances we just didn’t nail.

“That is sport, the last thing we needed was extra-time after having gone to extra-time with Derry two weeks ago. But I think the Monaghan people can be very proud of that bunch of lads in terms of what they did to get us here.”