Oisin O'Neill

INJURY-plagued Crossmaglen Rangers clubman Oisin O’Neill is a notable omission from the Armagh squad that begins the inter-county season with a Dr McKenna Cup opener against Antrim at the Athletic Grounds tonight.

NEW boss Anthony Cunningham has no plans to rip up the famed Crossmaglen playbook – but admits evolution, rather than revolution, is required if the south Armagh men are to force themselves into the provincial picture once more.

OISIN O’Neill insists Armagh have shed the disappointment of their Ulster Championship exit to Donegal six weeks ago and says they are “still as close as ever” to reaching Croke Park.

WHEN Oisin O’Neill was called up to play for the Armagh seniors in 2017, he could see the wide open highway right in front of him.

Today we begin our new County Focus series, looking at the football fortunes .. or otherwise.. of each Ulster county, from the dawn of 2010 and the dreams of what the new decade might hold, right through to the end of the stop-start, shocker of a year that was 2020. First up: The Orchard County of Armagh

PROMOTION to Division One was Armagh’s sole focus from last October to last Saturday and, with it secured on Saturday, attention only turned to Derry and the Ulster Championship this week.

OISIN O’Neill says Armagh are trying to work on being more ruthless this season – and the competition for forward places has sharpened everyone’s focus.

CROSSMAGLEN ace Oisin O’Neill wants Armagh to shrug off the “entertainers” tag by delivering on the promise within Kieran McGeeney’s panel next year.