The way results faired over the weekend; Armagh are still in the hunt for promotion from Division Two.
It’s all in their own hands. A win over Clare in the final round of the league campaign would secure Division One status.
Armagh followers may not feel so positive after witnessing their team miss out on what looked like a sure win on Saturday night.
They seemed to be well in control for long periods, but two quickfire goals in the second period turned the tide for the visitors.
Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney will be relieved his side are still in with a chance of promotion but knows they will have to improve.
“I think we went well for a good bit of it, we just gave away two really bad penalties. We gave away the penalty and pulled ourselves back in and went a couple of points ahead, then giving away another penalty.
Those are the things against quality forward lines, that’s going to happen, they’re going to punish those mistakes.
Against teams in lower division you’re not going to get punished the same way and we got punished today.
I thought the fellas did really well, considering out of our four weeks we were out for two of them.
It’s just a wee bit frustrating. I think we’re a better team than we showed there tonight. Roscommon are quality too and they have great forwards and you just have to take your hat off to them”.
The preparations for the tie were hampered with a few positive Covid-19 cases within the squad, but Geezer wasn’t looking for any excuses.
“I’m one of these people, I think you’re better playing than not playing. You can’t cry about these things, I think we have a good opportunity to play games, as can be seen tonight, it’s a very controlled environment”.
Still, top tier football remains the target and Armagh can achieve their ultimate goal after performing so well in the earlier rounds of the league.
The Orchard County manager believes his side are getting there, but it takes time to reach the top. “The last two or three years we’re getting up there, but it takes time.
It always does in Armagh, or it seems to, to get those things. With our own team, we had four or five years knocking at the door before we were able to actually do it.
With these fellas here, I think they’re beginning to get there. It’s disappointing, it definitely is. I don’t want to take away from Roscommon, Roscommon have been up and down from the first division, they’re quality.
I think we’re able to live with teams like that, we just have to get a wee bit better if we’re going to try and get that step up”.
Attention will now turn to Clare, another tough test for McGeeney’s men and one his side will not be underestimating.
“Look, I think we’re definitely touching on the top eight teams, we have been for the last two or three years, but you have to get in there.
Same way as Roscommon did in their first year, and they got a couple of hard lessons, you have to get up into that crowd.
I think we’re good enough to get up there and I think we showed bits and pieces of it tonight, we just have to be a wee bit more disciplined when the pressures on.
Clare will definitely be looking to get the points; they have all their players back. We’ve had a couple of great games with them over the years so I can’t imagine next week is going to be any different”.
