Oisin McConville gave an insight into the commitment that Rory Grugan puts into his free taking, that proved vital last weekend.
Speaking on The GAA Social podcast, McConville explained witnessing Grugan honing his craft recently.
Grugan nailed the game-winning score against Galway that sent Armagh through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
The Ballymacnab man slotted over a late free to edge his side ahead by the minimum of margins.
Grugan had an opportunity to score at the very end of the Ulster final, although admittedly a much more difficult kick.
His effort dropped short that day. The game ended a draw, resulting in extra time and penalties, with Armagh eventually losing.
McConville was “delighted” for Grugan, having now put to bed the memories of that Ulster final miss.
Delighted
“I was at a schools final a few weeks ago,” Armagh’s 2002 All-Ireland winner told podcast host Thomas Niblock.
“It was in Ballymacnab and on the back pitch, Rory Grugan was kicking frees. I was definitely there for an hour and 20 minutes, and he kicked frees for the hour and 20 minutes that I was there.
“There’s a lot of work goes into nailing that free in that situation. Then you go back to the hurt of the Ulster final.
“It’s amazing, that’s what sport does, one day you’re down and the next minute you’re up. I was delighted for him.”
The current Wicklow manager pointed out Grugan’s uptake in form during the All-Ireland group stages, describing him as “exceptional.”
“I do think he had a poor start to the year, as a lot of those Armagh forwards had,” added the Crossmaglen native.
“But I think in the last couple of games he’s really come to the fore and again at the weekend I thought he was exceptional.”
