On The Sideline Eye podcast this week, Aaron Kernan described his Armagh Player of the League for the 2022 campaign.
The Orchard County secured their Division One status with one game to play, and attention will now swiftly turn towards the championship.
There were several contenders for Player of the League. Rian O’Neill was outstanding, particularly in the early rounds against Dublin and Tyrone.
Jarly Og Burns has excelled since moving to half back while Tiernan Kelly became a regular starter.
The Player of the League was newcomer Ciaran Mackin, who stood out all season in the orange and white.
Mackin made his league debut in Croke Park and never looked back. “In terms of consistency levels, the job he’s done but how effective he’s been, Ciaran Mackin for me has been outstanding,” said Aaron Kernan
Croke Park
“Go back to the Dublin game, was I worried thinking, Jesus he’s heading into Croke Park for his first game, he’s going to come up against Brian Fenton. I was.”
“I genuinely was because it’s Croke Park. You’re playing against arguably one of the greatest midfielders we’ve ever had.”
“I would just say that night alone, the confidence that he would have taken from that. He’s just carried it right throughout the whole league campaign.”
“Unbelievable work ethic. The type of player to me, looking from the outside in, that you would love to have as a teammate.”
“Very selfless in what he does and then in possession, does the simple things well.”
“I think in terms of what you could ask for if you were management or a teammate that you were playing with. I don’t think you could ask for anymore than what he gives you every day he goes out.”
Mackin has made the number eight jersey his own and will no doubt earn his championship debut against Donegal.
“An absolutely massive plus and looking forward to seeing him now getting his opportunity in championship in a few weeks’ time and hopefully building on it.”
“To be fair, while Division One is very competitive, it’s still league. It’s always another step up in championship but I think he’s shown more than enough at this stage to confirm he’s fit and ready for it.”
