Now that Jim McCorry as stepped away from his role as Armagh assistant manager, Kieran McGeeney will be on the lookout for a replacement.
The job is an attractive one as the Orchard County will compete in Division One for the upcoming season.
Geezer won’t be short on suggestions and we’ve taken a look at some of the candidates that may wish to throw their hat into the ring.
Aidan O’Rourke
It’s a position that Aidan O’Rourke has previously held under Kieran McGeeney, both in Kildare and Armagh.
The Dromintee man worked alongside James McCartan in the Down setup, while he also managed Louth for two seasons.
The All-Ireland winning half back is currently leading the Orchard Academy while still being involved in Queen’s University.
Oisin McConville
The Crossmaglen man will go down in history as one of Armagh’s greatest ever players and has since got involved in management and coaching.
McConville led his home club to championship glory in successive years, while also picking up and Ulster club title in 2016.
More recently, McConville has held roles with various teams, including the Laois hurlers and Dundalk IT, while currently managing Monaghan side Inniskeen.
Malachy O’Rourke
Perhaps a bit of a left-field choice, but there’s no doubting that O’Rourke has proved himself to be one of the best around.
He led Fermanagh to the Ulster Final back in 2008, when the Orchard County needed a replay to see off O’Rourke’s men.
More recently, he transformed Monaghan into a consistent division one team, winning two Ulster championships along the way.
He was appointed boss of Derry club Glen last October.
Ciaran McKeever
The former Armagh captain retired from the inter-county game at the end of the 2017 season and launched himself into coaching the game.
McKeever has held the position of Armagh under 17 manager for the previous two seasons, while being involved with the Orchard Academy.
As well as that, the Cullyhanna man currently wears the bainisteoir bib for Down senior club Mayobridge.
Shane McConville
One of the highly regarded managers at club level with the county.
McConville led St Paul’s to Intermediate glory back in 2014 while winning Maghery’s first ever Senior Championship two years later.
Currently, McConville holds the role of Pearse Ogs manager and will be planning for his third season at the helm.
Diarmuid Marsden
Another one of the ’02 dream team that has since gone into management, Marsden is no stranger to the managerial side of the game.
During the summer, Marsden guided Clan na Gael to Intermediate triumph and will no doubt be looking forward to the prospect of Senior football.
The Clans native was part of a strong Armagh under 21 management team back in 2016, which included Peter McDonnell, Kieran McGeeney and Martin McQuillan.
Gavin McGilly
An Armagh man currently spreading the gospel in county Down, McGilly is the right-hand man of Paddy Tally.
McGilly was also part of the St Mary’s side that won the Sigerson Cup in 2017, and managed Moy to Intermediate All-Ireland success twelve months later.
The Annaghmore man has had experience in the Orchard County, coaching the minor side to the Ulster semi-final in 2016.
James McCartan
An outside candidate maybe, but not a ridiculous one and it wouldn’t be the first-time a Down man has offered a helping hand to the Orchard County.
McCartan was a colleague of Kieran McGeeney’s back in the 90’s, when they led QUB to Sigerson Cup glory.
The Down man was in charge of his own county back in 2010 and took the Mourne men all the way to the All-Ireland final.
More recently, McCartan stepped down from his position of Down minor manager, so he is available should McGeeney consider him.
Paul McGrane
The All-Star midfielder was the manager of that 2016 minor side that McGilly coached, with Derry beating them after extra time in the last four of the Ulster Championship.
McGrane and McGeeney both shared tremendous leadership qualities during their playing days and may want to pair up once again.
The Ballyhegan man was part of Kieran McGeeney’s backroom team around 2016 and has since been working with the development squads within the county.
Anthony Tohill
Back in 2010, Anthony Tohill was appointed the manager of Ireland’s International Rules side to face Australia.
With him, Tohill took Kevin O’Brien, Eoin ‘The Bomber’ Liston, Sean Og de Paor and Armagh’s Kieran McGeeney.
Like McCartan, Tohill joined McGeeney in leading the charge for Queen’s University when they claimed Sigerson success.
Others
It’s unlikely that after seven years in the wilderness that Paul Grimley will return to the number two role that he held under Kieran McGeeney in Kildare.
Jason Ryan, the former Wexford and Kildare manager, was part of Geezer’s management team in his time over Lilywhites.
Peter McDonnell has been in McGeeney’s backroom team before and has been the counties under 20’s manager for the last few years.
Currently leading the way in Clontibret, John McEntee has had spells with his own Crossmaglen as well as Culloville.
