Kildare’s Daniel Flynn named Armagh’s James Morgan as his toughest opponent, speaking on The GAA Social this week.
The Lilywhite ace mentioned Meath’s Donal Keoghan and Kevin Maguire from Westmeath as the best man-markers he faced in Leinster.
But outside of the province, Flynn pointed to the Crossmaglen defender as his toughest opponent.
The pair first crossed paths in Croke Park back in 2017. Armagh overcame Kildare to reach the All-Ireland quarter final.
Flynn was, and remains, the danger man in the Kildare attack and Kieran McGeeney decided to give Morgan the role of curbing his influence on the game.
Morgan, an All-Ireland minor winning defender with Armagh in 2009, excelled in the role and completed the job.
Flynn scored just once as the Orchard County booked their spot in the last eight, 1-17 to 0-17. Andrew Murnin claimed the all-important goal.
“Scarred”
“James Morgan gave me such a fill of it a couple of years ago,” recalled Flynn. “He was very tight a couple of years ago, I was scarred from that for a year.”
“We went to the Aussie Rules trials and Stephen Sheridan was there and the first thing I said was “I hope you don’t have that other little fella with you”. And he was like “I know you were going to say that”.
More recently when the two teams met in round five of the National League, Morgan renewed acquaintances with Kildare’s main man.
Once again Morgan performed brilliantly and held Flynn to 0-1, his only score coming from a first half mark.
Murnin claimed the defining score just as he did five years previous. His goal helped Armagh see out a 1-12 to 0-10 victory.
It’s back to Croke Park for Armagh’s next game. Morgan is likely to have another big man-marking job coming up against quality forwards like Shane Walsh and Damien Comer.
