Kieran McGeeney picks his starting team based on form and what he witnesses in training, and that makes the Armagh team impossible to predict before throw-in. But that’s the way ‘Geezer’ works, and Armagh joint captain Aidan Nugent says his teammates all buy into it.
In this year's Championship, Shane McPartlan has started all three games against Antrim, Cavan and Down having seen just a handful of minutes towards the end of the Tyrone game on the final day of the National League.
Oisin Conaty was introduced as a second half substitute in Armagh’s 10-point win over Down in the Ulster semi-final having seen no game time during the League. But anyone who is lucky enough to get on to the field of play, has earned their right to be there.
“You’re picked on merit, and I think when that’s happening, it’s easier for everyone to buy in,” said Nugent, who captain’s the team alongside Rian O’Neill.
“If you have lads coming in and they’re worth their salt, they’ve trained hard and they’ve got their place, it probably gives someone that’s maybe outside the 26 that ‘if I knuckle down here, I will get game time.’
“That’s just the way it’s panned out. Boys are working hard and they’re getting their reward for it and they’re getting game time.”
Nugent’s season has been hampered by injuries. The Cullyhanna sharpshooter started against Monaghan in the first round of the league and scored 0-2, but a hamstring injury saw him sidelined for most of the campaign.
His Championship appearance have been limited to coming off the bench and the competition for places in the Armagh squad at the minute is fierce, especially in the forward line.
“I think everyone wants to play but I think we’ve got it now that everyone has bought into the idea that the number one goal is for us to win and whether that’s coming on in the last ten minutes, coming on at half time or starting, that’s what we believe, it’s team first.
“So, whatever your role is whether it’s being outside the 26 and getting lads ready for the game or being on the bench and not even coming on and getting lads ready before the game, whatever your role is we’re happy enough to do it.
“I think we saw that last week, Soupy (Stefan Campbell) has probably started all season and then comes off the bench and everything he touched he turned into a score or an assist so it’s a good sign that everyone’s ready to do whatever’s asked.”
It’s Armagh’s first Ulster final appearance since 2008, the last time they captured the Anglo Celt trophy, and Nugent is expecting a bumper crowd of orange and white to turn up to Clones, just as they always do.
“You know, there’s been a good buzz, the Armagh support is great so it’s good to see them on a high too. We’re looking forward to it, it’s the first final I’ve been in in a long time. You have to cherish it too.
“I think I said it before, every game feels like a home game, they’re all your best friend now looking tickets,” laughed Nugent.
“Listen, it could be worse, you could have very little support.
“I’d say it’s the same in most counties, there seems to be a bigger enjoyment now of the young lads and girls this last few years, I don’t know what it is, but you see it after games and they’re out looking gloves and jersey’s signed and all that. It’s good to see.”
