Oisin McConville has backed his former teammate Kieran McGeeney to lead the Orchard County for another year.
Armagh crashed out of the Ulster Championship last weekend after a two-point defeat to Monaghan.
That was their third provincial semi-final defeat under Kieran McGeeney’s watch. Following losses to Cavan in 2019 and Donegal in 2020.
It was a disappointing end to a progressive year. Geezer and his side secured their Division One status for 2022.
However, championship success continues to elude the team. Armagh are still searching for their first appearance in an Ulster final since 2008.
McConville was part of the last crop of Orchard players to pick up Ulster medals. He admits championship performances “have not been good enough”.
In saying that, the former Crossmaglen player and manager still believes Kieran McGeeney is the best man to take Armagh forward.
Speaking on the BBC’s “The GAA Social” podcast, the Inniskeen manager explained why McGeeney deserves to stay on.
“I think he’s made enough progress to suggest he deserves another year. Whether he wants another year, I’m not 100% sure. After the game he seems as if he was questioning himself.
Then for people to decide whether he wants another year, I really don’t know what the thinking would be at county board level. What the aspirations are”.
Securing Division One football for another season was a massive target completed by Armagh this year.
McConville now sees his native county as an “established Division One team” but wants to see improved championship results.
“I think Armagh are now, in my head, an established Division One team. The championship results have not been good enough, nowhere near good enough.
But I think he probably deserves another shot at it next year”.
If the 2002 All-Ireland winning captain decides to once again pull on the bainisteoir bib, it will be his eighth year in charge.
