Football

#Last20Years: The best of Armagh since the start of the century

Ronan Clarke was an outstanding full-forward at a time when Armagh weren't short of them. Picture by Ann McManus
Ronan Clarke was an outstanding full-forward at a time when Armagh weren't short of them. Picture by Ann McManus Ronan Clarke was an outstanding full-forward at a time when Armagh weren't short of them. Picture by Ann McManus

In the seventh of a nine-part series, Cahair O'Kane selects his best 15 footballers to have represented each Ulster county over the past 20 years. Today it’s Armagh

Armagh

1

Benny Tierney

THE seemingly easy-going, jovial Benny Tierney provided football with a character so large that sometimes it dwarfed his own ability. Tierney was a damn good goalkeeper. Above all, he was a superb shot-stopper, one of the best around during a career on which the curtain drew after the All-Ireland success, with the final win over Kerry being his last championship game for Armagh. Paul Hearty was a long-term replacement who excelled between 2003 and 2007, but Tierney was marginally better.

2

Andy Mallon

STARTING 45 of the county’s 46 championship games between 2003 and 2012, Andy Mallon developed a reputation as one of the leading man-markers in Gaelic football. Hugely unfortunate in that he stepped straight into the side the year after they won the All-Ireland, for he surely would have played a part if he was the age. Brilliant in helping Armagh to a National League and Ulster double in 2005, he won an Allstar that year to go with four provincial titles across a brilliant career.

3

Francie Bellew

THE ultimate in folk heroes. Francie Bellew carried no airs or graces on to a football field, and any forward that brought theirs was given a swift adjustment. Uncompromising, raw, relishing of the physical battle, the Crossmaglen man loved to see a big man coming down his channel. His introduction to the side in 2002 was key in helping shore up the defence, albeit he played much of his early football in the corner. Won his Allstar the following year, and won his last Ulster title in ’08.

4

Enda McNulty

THE go-to man for Joe Kernan, there were few who relished an individual duel as much as McNulty. At times never got the credit he was owed because of Armagh implementing the sweeper system, yet ask any forward that marked him and they’ll soon tell you. Had a few colossal battles against Peter Canavan in which he fared well, as he did with Paddy Bradley and the rest. A memorably brilliant semi-final in 2002, shackling Alan Brogan, helped secure his sole Allstar.

5

Ciaran McKeever

McKEEVER’S career in orange had such distinction and longevity that it almost became hard to separate him from the generation previous. Got his big chance in the Ulster final replay in 2005, and seldom missed a game for years thereafter. A driving force until the trophies dried up in 2008, McKeever rose above the mediocrity that followed, and could do any defensive job that was asked of him. Another uncompromising defender.

6

Kieran McGeeney

EVEN in a squad packed full of strong characters the way Armagh’s was, McGeeney’s leadership still stood out. Produced his very best display in the All-Ireland final in 2002, dominating the second half of the game to get his hands on Sam Maguire. One of the most driven footballers, McGeeney was a physical powerhouse and a demonic tackler, ideally built for protecting the centre of the Orchard defence. His peak (winning Allstars in 1999, 2000 and 2002) was perfectly timed.

7

Aidan O’Rourke

WHILE his time in the number five jersey was relatively short, the impact O’Rourke made during the key period for Armagh football was hugely significant. The Dromintee man was outstanding in 2002, winning his Allstar. Unlike a lot of wing-backs, O’Rourke was an excellent defender. Going the other way, he was one of the key exponents of the diagonal ball that was so effective for the All-Ireland winning team.

8

Paul McGrane

HAD started out back in 1993 and was instrumental in ending the provincial famine six years later. The rangy, athletic Ballyhegan man would thereafter establish himself as one of Ireland’s premier midfielders, winning two Allstars. Scores were a rarity but a luxury he didn’t need. Just think back to the 2003 semi-final against Dublin and how he completely overwhelmed Ciaran Whelan, seizing complete control of the middle. That was just one of countless examples. Seemed to be a man-of-the-match contender every week.

9

Brendan Donaghy

IT might be something of a cheat card to stick Donaghy at nine given he played so little of his football there, but he was there often enough to justify giving him the spot on the team he deserves. Outstanding at full-back, as sweeper or at six, Donaghy is a graceful defender who just makes the game look easy. The Clonmore man has signed up again for 2020, which will take his Armagh career into a 14th season. Nips ahead of John Toal and Philip Loughran, both fine servants.

10

Aaron Kernan

SCHOOLED very much in the truest fashion of Crossmaglen, Kernan was a classy operator from whom the tendency to use the boot was one of his most marked features. While he played almost all his football for Armagh at wing-back, barring one season he operated at 11, he like Andy Mallon was unfortunate that he just came on the scene a couple of years too late. Won Young Footballer of the Year in 2005 and four Ulster titles. His career merited an Allstar but it never arrived. Edges out the versatile Charlie Vernon.

11

John McEntee

ONE of the great foraging centre-forwards, McEntee was the perfect man to dictate the pace of the game for Armagh. Never afraid to come and get on the ball, the Crossmaglen man would have been responsible for a lot of the service given to the men ahead of him that did such untold damage to opposition defences. While pace might have been in short supply, McEntee always had time on the ball. And when he had it, his bull strength ensured the defender wasn’t getting it off him.

12

Oisin McConville

ACROSS a 15-year career, McConville racked up 11-197 in championship football. The Crossmaglen man had an incredible knack for remaining cool under pressure, which had a huge hand in tallies both from play and from frees, off which he was metronomic. Got the all-important goal in the All-Ireland final in 2002, and had been brilliant throughout that year and the 2000 season in particular, at the end of both of which he won Allstars. Finished up with seven Ulster titles.

13

Diarmuid Marsden

OTHERS may have generated more headlines, more attention, more scores, but there were very few players so central to Armagh’s cause around the early 2000s than Marsden. The most unselfish of footballers, he was naturally predisposed to work. All the things that Paul Mannion is lauded for now, Marsden was at 20 years ago. Chipped in with scores as well.The Orchard attack would never have functioned the same without him. Gets in ahead of Jamie Clarke.

14

Ronan Clarke

HE was the fresh-faced boy in the 2002 attack, and yet one of the team’s leading lights that year. Clarke was man-of-the-match in the Ulster final and brilliant throughout the All-Ireland campaign, scoring three points in the final as he won Young Footballer of the Year. Went on to become one of the best forwards in Ireland, nominated for Footballer of the Year in 2006. Recovered from a cruciate to win another Allstar and guide Armagh to another Ulster title in 2008. Two-footed, strong, it was a shame that the end of his career was stunted by injuries.

15

Steven McDonnell

ABSOLUTELY lethal in front of goal, McDonnell was the man who loved to raise the green flag for Armagh. Always tried to hang as close to goal as possible, when he could feed off Marsden or Clarke he could be unstoppable. But McDonnell was a great man to win his own ball too, brilliant in the air. He was as good off the left as the right, and there times at his peak that no defender in Ireland could have coped. Footballer of the Year in 2003, a three-time Allstar and a scorer of massive tallies throughout his career, McDonnell was one of the very best.