ONE win in Croke Park doesn’t make a glorious Championship summer, cautioned Kieran McGeeney but his Armagh side blew the lid off Division One by dominating disappointing Dublin on Saturday night.
First half goals from Rian O’Neill and Jason Duffy were the highlights in a five-point win that was built on an all-round team performance that combined ferocious tackling in a well-organised defensive system with pacey ball-carrying and imaginative kick-passing.
O’Neill was man of the match for his 1-4 but there were many excellent performers in orange jerseys with Rory Grugan next best and the Mackin brothers Ciaran and Connaire, Jarlath Og Burns and Aidan Forker among those not far behind. The Orchardmen showcased their potential and left Headquarters with two valuable points and a long list of positives but it’s McGeeney’s job to see problems coming down the road and he fears his side has “poked the bear” after their resounding first round victory.
“It’s not taking away from our performance but it’s a National League game,” he said.
“It’s a great two points for us, it’s a milestone for the team in terms of winning a game at Croke Park but in the longer term, maybe all we’re doing is poking the bear?”
Dublin are not the force they once were. After a string of retirements, injury denied manager Dessie Farrell the services of Michael Fitzsimons and Jonny Cooper in his full-back line and Con O’Callaghan up front.
Meanwhile, Armagh left seasoned performers on the bench and went with youth and it paid dividends as the likes of Ciaran Mackin and Tiarnan Kelly sparkled on the biggest stage of all.
“We had seven stars from last year sitting on the bench,” McGeeney explained.
“We are trying new things and they worked out today, it was a good performance and you can’t not be happy with it but I’m around long enough to know how quick a kick in the arse can come and I’ve had more kicks in the arse than pats on the back.
“Because of the quality that’s on show in Division One, there are small margins and they have serious consequences. We’re aware of that so it’s not that we won’t enjoy our two points but we are also very aware of the quality that will come over the next couple of weeks.”
When asked what he’d said to his players immediately after the game, McGeeney answered: “We should have scored more…” He demands high standards from his players and knows that their feet have to stay on the ground if they are to maintain this form and intensity in the coming weeks and months.
“I did say ‘well done’ too,” he added.
“I think there is vast improvement in the squad and more to come from them but I’ve also reminded them of the quality that’s in front of them over the next number of weeks.
“All that winning tonight is going to do is poke the bear. People are going to want to take our scalp and our job now is to focus on Tyrone. We have the All-Ireland champions coming to us next week and they’ll be sore from the last time (Dr McKenna Cup). Tyrone, loving Armagh like they do, will want to set that straight.
“For me, it’s about taking one game at a time and ending up where we should be.”
