Football

Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney prepared for 'pressure game' with promotion rivals Longford

Kieran McGeeney's Armagh have won two out of two in Division Three
Kieran McGeeney's Armagh have won two out of two in Division Three Kieran McGeeney's Armagh have won two out of two in Division Three

NEXT week’s top of the table clash against fellow Division Three pacesetters Longford is a “pressure game” says Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney.

After wins against Sligo and Westmeath, McGeeney’s men have posted 4-34 so far and lead the midlanders (who have beaten Offaly and Derry) on scoring difference with Fermanagh (also on four points) in third place.

It looks like two from the current top three will clinch the promotion places and Armagh will be hard to stop if they maintain their early season form with a win at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday. The Orchardmen can take confidence from edging a high-scoring affair in Longford Town last season and McGeeney expects more of the same this weekend against Denis Connerton’s side.

“We know from last year that Longford are notoriously difficult to beat anywhere, but especially at home,” said the Orchard county boss.

“We have them at home next weekend and they are going to be hard to beat. They have really steadied the ship there and they’re doing really well. It’s been a great start to the League for them and it’s us, them and Fermanagh with two wins so far, so it’s going to be one of those pressure games.”

Armagh romped to a nine-point in Mullingar on Sunday. The Orchardmen were in command until the home side gave them a wake-up call midway through the second half by taking the lead after James Dolan’s 52nd minute goal.

However, Armagh found a new gear and hammered 1-9 in the final 20 minutes to further enhance their status as the team to beat in the third tier.

“There were a lot of positives,” said McGeeney.

“Westmeath are a good team and they’re going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the League.

"After the Championship match against Westmeath (Armagh won a physical All-Ireland Qualifier 1-12 to 1-7) last year – which was a tough game, an aggressive game – we knew coming down here what we were in for but the fellas stuck to their task.

“Losing Andrew Murnin before the game would normally have set us back but other players stood up and that was one of the things about it. They really came at us and they had momentum going towards what they would call their scoring end.

“They got a goal against the run of play and I was feeling things mightn’t work well but the players responded really well. We got the penalty and Rory Grugan did exceptionally well, he capitalised on a mistake and we’ll take that.”

This Armagh side is a physically imposing outfit. Strapping six-footers Ethan Rafferty, Ronan Lappin and Niall Grimley started in attack on Sunday while Charlie Vernon and Stephen Sheridan lined out in midfield. McGeeney also had the luxury of Ben Crealey and Aaron Findon on the bench.

“Findy (Aaron Findon) is going well in training and we have Ben and Niall and Stephen and Charlie in midfield too so we have options,” he said.

“But it’s easy to say that after you win. You can say you have loads of options but then the following week (if the team loses) you can think you’ve none.

“But on today’s performance the fellas did really well. They responded well to missing a lot at the start, then they got caught with a suckerpunch and they responded well again and you can’t ask for more than that. They put up 2-17 again and that is good scoring in anybody’s book.”