Kieran McGeeney has named his starting team to take on Cavan in their McKenna Cup opener tomorrow evening.
Armagh head to Breffni Park to kick off their 2022 season. They’ll also face Tyrone in the coming weeks in round two.
It’s likely Geezer will blood some new players into the team during the McKenna Cup, although he has named an experienced line-up for tomorrow’s contest.
Starting team
Blaine Hughes has asserted himself as the number one goalkeeper and he begins between the sticks.
Ross Finn, who made his debut last season against Donegal, earns his fourth start under Kieran McGeeney, his first in the McKenna Cup.
Shane O’Neill’s man Ciaran Mackin makes his competitive debut in the orange and white. His brother Connaire takes up a place in the half back line.
Jarly Og Burns, who captained the side in their recent charity tie against Tyrone, starts in a new wing-half-back role.
Stephen Sheridan and Niall Grimley form a solid and experienced centre-field pairing. The two haven’t started in midfield together since round two of the 2020 National League against Laois.
Captains
Aidan Nugent earns his first competitive start since March of 2020. The new Armagh joint-captain will line out in the centre half forward position.
Rian O’Neill, the other half of the joint-captaincy, takes the number 14 jersey and is flanked by 2021 top scorer Rory Grugan and Aidan Forker.
The versatile Maghery man has been Armagh’s go-to man marker in recent years. He has shown at club level however that he’s as effective up front as he is defensively.
The game will be available to view via SportBeo tomorrow evening. Follow the link to purchase the stream:
https://www.beosport.live/products/ulster-gaa-mckenna-cup-rd-1-cavan-v-armagh
