Half Back Line
Should the game have went ahead as planned this weekend; Kieran McGeeney would have had a selection headache all week.
The half back line posses one of the biggest question marks over this side and Geezer would have had a lot of difficult decisions to make.
Callum Cumiskey
Starred as Crossmaglen conquered the Armagh Championship in 2019. Cumiskey not only earned a call up to the county, but also the centre half back spot on the Armagh All-Star team.
He started three of Armagh’s five league games, switching between the half back and half forward line.
His best game undoubtedly came against Kildare and Cumiskey offers a strong option in an attacking half back line.
Mark Shields
One of the leaders in the current Armagh side, Shields has been a regular under Kieran McGeeney and his versatility is a key component of his game.
An attacking option from wing half back, Shields can also man mark and has been handed a series of different roles down through the years.
The Whitecross native claimed a hugely important goal against Down last season while also hitting the net against the same opposition two years earlier.
Ryan Kennedy
The Ballymacnab defender has been one of the most consistent club performers across the last few years.
Kennedy made his Championship debut in the opening round of the Championship against Down last season, hitting two points.
Injury brought his season to a premature end but he made his comeback against Fermanagh in round five of the league and is a strong candidate for a position in the half back line.
Joe McElroy
Has been a contender in the Armagh panel for a few years now and is constantly pushing for a starting role.
McElroy began the year at corner back but held the number seven jersey in two of Armagh’s last three league games this year.
Like many of his defensive teammates, McElroy offers an attacking option while also being used as a man-marker at times.
Brendan Donaghy
With Charlie Vernon’s retirement from the inter-county scene at the end of the last season, Brendan Donaghy is now the only player in the Armagh ranks with an Ulster medal.
The Clonmore man has been a key figure for the Orchard County under Kieran McGeeney’s time in power and has started in the opening round or the Championship every year bar one.
His ability to read the game and command the sweeper position makes him a key figure in the Armagh system.
Greg McCabe
Another solid option in the half back line, McCabe made four appearances across five of Armagh’s league games.
Strong and good on the ball, the Shane O’Neill’s clubman has been earmarked as a future centre half back for the Orchard County.
McCabe was used as a second half substitute against Mayo in last season’s Championship and would have been making a strong case for inclusion in the opening round of this years Ulster Championship.
Put yourself in Kieran McGeeney’s shoes and choose who would make up your half back line.
