IT felt bigger, like a corner had finally been turned for Armagh and assistant-manager Kieran Donaghy agreed that yesterday’s victory over Tyrone could be the springboard for more success.
But the Kerry All-Ireland winner cautioned that, when the emotion and hoop-la of dethroning the All-Ireland champions is stripped away, all the Orchardmen had achieved was winning one Championship game.
There are many more tests to come beginning with the second round of Qualifiers next weekend but yesterday’s victory over his county’s fierce rivals was the biggest scalp of Kieran McGeeney’s time as manager. Tyrone may not be the machine that beat Kerry and then Mayo at Croke Park to win last year’s Sam Maguire but they battled hard at the Athletic Grounds and Armagh were full value for their victory.
“Our fellas were very disappointed with the performance against Donegal, and in fairness you have to give them credit, they really worked hard in the last six weeks, we asked above and beyond out of them and they were never found wanting,” said Donaghy.
“When you put in that kind of hard graft in training sessions it kind of bonds the group and they’re a really tight group as it is. So delighted for them, delighted for Kieran McGeeney as a manager; the work he’s put into this group from where they came from eight years ago.
“I’m delighted for the group to get through a round, which is what it is. Obviously if you don’t get through this round it’s a long year, you’re gone. So delighted to be in the draw, and to be driving back up Tuesday night for training.
“Does it feel like more than a round? It probably does, but we’re realistic enough to know that when we wake up tomorrow morning, the plan will start for whoever we get in the draw. And then it will really dawn on us that it was just a round and that we have to really go to work this week and have to be even better.
“There were areas where we’d still look for improvement as a coaching staff and I know those players when they review the game, there were areas that we’ll want to work on and improve on next Tuesday night at training. But it’s a big win, no doubt.”
After falling behind to Conor McKenna’s early goal, Armagh rallied and after Aidan Nugent found the Tyrone net the Orchardmen were in control for the remainder of the half. But goal chances came and went and it seemed the Red Hands might wriggle off the hook.
By half-time Armagh’s lead had been whittled down to just a point but Donaghy told the players in the changingroom: “Look, we’re up a point, we would have taken that last night, we knew this would be a tight dogged game…’
If yesterday’s win is to be a significant breakthrough, Armagh have to back it up next weekend.
“You’re playing a provincial loser, so you’re playing a team that has got into a provincial final,” said Donaghy.
“They’ve had two weeks to regroup after the loss; there are good teams in there. But we fancy ourselves as a good team as well.
“So, it’s really about performance. When the lads look back, they’ll realise that a lot of them performed well and that’s what the game is about. We can train, Kieran can do all the brilliant work that he does as a manager… but I’ve been a player for most of my career, I’m only into this (management) new, but when the players don’t deliver it’s a hard one to take as a group.
“And those players delivered today, but we’ve already addressed it that it will be all about keenly refocussing to get the bodies right for Tuesday.”
